Impact of ASA Microcredit on Livelihood Status of Rural Women in Sylhet, Bangladesh
Mohammed Habibur Rahaman
Department of Agricultural Finance and Banking, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh and Department of Finance and Accounts, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh.
Tripti Sen
Department of Agricultural Economics and Policy, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh.
Johena Yasmin
Department of Economics, National University, Bangladesh.
Sufianur Rahman *
Department of Agricultural Economics and Policy, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh.
Md. Lutfor Rahman Shimanta
Department of Agricultural Economics and Policy, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the impact of microcredit of women borrowers of ASA credit at Sadar Upazila in the Sylhet district. With these views in mind, data were collected randomly from sixty respondents who were involved in different IGAs. The survey method was followed to collect the required data with a well-developed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were applied for the analysis of data and sustainable livelihood framework was used for assessing the impact of credit. Results showed that there was a remarkable increase in assets of the respondents towards improved livelihood after joining with the ASA credit program. The findings exposed that ASA loan brought about a positive impact on the livelihood improvement of the borrowers. It was also found to have a significant positive effect on women’s social empowerment indicators namely attitude towards their children education, mobility to outside home, participation and decision-making ability etc. Finally, the present study suggests conducting further study of similar types in other parts of the country to make the findings representative one.
Keywords: Microfinance, ASA, livelihood, Sylhet