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Improving Livelihoods of Rural School Dropouts Undertaking Small Entrepreneurship

M.I.K. Chowdhury
Former MS student
Dept. of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

L. Mozumdar
Lecturer
Dept. of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

M.W. Rahman
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

K.S. Farid
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study assesses the participation of dropout rural youth in different income-generating activities and its impact on their socio-economic development. It analyzes the contribution of small agricultural enterprises owned and operated by rural dropout youth in two selected villages of Dimla Upazila under Nilphamari district of Bangladesh. Study finds the rate of under taking agricultural entrepreneurship by dropout youth was comparatively lower than agricultural labour and other services. The youths who were involved in agricultural entrepreneurship were able to increase their income and improve their livelihoods significantly. The average change in household income was 101 percent and household assets’ value was increased by 211 per cent after involvement with different small enterprises. Results also show significant development in using different life sustaining articles by the entrepreneurs. There was 138 percent increase in working-days, which indicates self employment opportunities of rural youth. Participation of the rural dropout youth to small enterprises contributed significantly towards their socio-economic development in general and reduced the poverty gap in particular. It is suggested to have coordinated and integrated efforts from government and development organization for developing and implementing an effective youth development programme.

Keywords: Livelihoods, School dropout, Entrepreneurship.

Location: Two selected villages of Dimla Upazila under Nilphamari district of Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Livelihood

Objectives:

The foregoing discussion reveals that there is an urgent need of a holistic approach to make the dropout rural youth employable and proper documentation at the national and regional level. So far, very few systematic empirical studies has been conducted on dropout youth development in rural Bangladesh. Therefore, the present study attempts to provide some insights into promising practices of small agricultural entrepreneurship by the rural dropout youth in improving livelihood and socio-economic conditions.

Methodology:

A preliminary survey was conducted in six enterprises namely livestock and poultry, nursery, fish farming, homestead gardening, horticultural and stock business under Dimla Upazila of Nilphamari district. On the basis of preliminary information, two villages West Satnai and East Satnai were selected for empirical investigation. The selected villages are agricultural-based likewise other part of Bangladesh. The study included dropout rural youths between 15 to 30 years old. Two government primary schools and one secondary high school were purposively selected to identify the dropout youths during the period 2000 to 2008. The dropout youths were identified from the official documents of the selected schools. The dropout rate was categorized in three phases as Phase I (2000-2002); Phase II (2003-2005) and Phase III (2006-2008). Total 1669 rural dropout youths were identified among three phases. Total 150 dropout rural youths were selected consisting 50 from each phase applying simple random sampling technique. The overall information was collected from 150 dropout youths in which 30 had taken small agricultural entrepreneurship in their self-employment. Data were collected during February to March 2009 applying a pre-tested interview schedule. The impacts of different enterprises were examined by making ‘before’ and ‘after’ comparison. Data were presented mostly in the tabular form, because it is simple in calculation, widely used and easy to understand. Some statistical measures like average, percentage and ratios were adopted to arrive at expected findings.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education Volume 23, No. 1&2, 2011:29-36 ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Dropout youth plays an important role in economic development through participation in small agricultural enterprises in rural Bangladesh. The development of youth small entrepreneurship largely depends on support services from the government and development organizations. The present empirical study finds that the dropout rate of youth at primary and secondary level decreased over time. The rate of undertaking agricultural entrepreneurship was comparatively lower than agricultural labour and other services. However, the youths who undertook agricultural entrepreneurship were able to increase their income and improve their livelihoods significantly. The study revealed that the overall value of household assets increased by 101 percent. It also found that significant development in using different life-sustaining articles by the entrepreneur. Youth’s contribution on food item and clothing increased significantly. There was a change in the working days of youth entrepreneurs which indicated that small enterprises generated self-employment opportunities for the rural youth. In reality, dropout youth contributes in respect to increasing family income and create self-employment opportunities through participating in small enterprises. So, the policymakers and the development partners should take coordinated and necessary steps to implement an integrated rural youth development programme so that the youths become self-dependent and can contribute in the national economy as well.

Knowledge Management: Journal