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7. Transfers, nutrition programming, and economic well-being: Experimental evidence from Bangladesh

Author

Gender Equality, Ahmed, Akhter U.; Hoddinott, John; Roy, Shalini; Sraboni, Esha, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0590-3917 Hoddinott, John F.; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8053-1650 Roy, Shalini, Gender Equality, Ahmed, Akhter U.; Hoddinott, John; Roy, Shalini; Sraboni, Esha, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0590-3917 Hoddinott, John F.; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8053-1650 Roy, Shalini

Abstract

PR, IFPRI3; ISI; IFPRIOA; CRP2; 3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; Transfer Modality Research Initiative (TMRI), Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI); Food and Nutrition Policy, CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM), Many cash transfer programs include complementary nutrition training, with the aim of encouraging households to use transfer resources toward improving child nutrition. Evidence indicates that these bundled programs, if intensive and well-implemented, can be effective in improving child nutritional status. However, little is known about how adding nutrition training to transfer programs affects their economic impacts. In particular, few studies have assessed whether nutrition programming may induce reallocation of transfer resources from physical capital to human capital. Scarce evidence also exists as to whether these tradeoffs depend on the transfer modality. We study a pilot program called the Transfer Modality Research Initiative in Bangladesh (TMRI), designed as a randomized controlled trial. TMRI provided cash or food transfers, with or without intensive group-based nutrition behavior change communication (BCC), to mothers of young children in poor rural households. We find that adding nutrition BCC to cash or food transfers leads to larger impacts on both consumption and assets – potentially surprising, given that the transfer value is unchanged. Analysis of mechanisms suggests that these effects occur through the BCC inducing increases in income generation, through investments in livelihoods. Suggestive evidence indicates that the effects of TMRI’s BCC are plausibly due to the intensive group-based format, which increased social capital for participant women and their household members, as well as improved participant women’s agency and self-confidence, knowledge, and input into household decisions. Results indicate that adding nutrition BCC to cash or food transfer programs do not necessarily induce a tradeoff between investing in human capital versus physical capital, but can rather strengthen impacts on both if appropriately designed.

Published
2024

11. Diets of men and women in rural Bangladesh are equitable but suboptimal

Author

Coleman, Fiona M.; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Quisumbing, Agnes R.; Roy, Shalini; Hoddinott, John, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5429-1857 Quisumbing, Agnes; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8053-1650 Roy, Shalini, Coleman, Fiona M.; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Quisumbing, Agnes R.; Roy, Shalini; Hoddinott, John, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5429-1857 Quisumbing, Agnes; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8053-1650 Roy, Shalini

Abstract

PR, IFPRI3; CRP4; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Gender Linkages (ANGeL); GAAP; G Cross-cutting gender theme; 2 Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition for all; TMRI, Nutrition, Diets, and Health (NDH); A4NH; Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI); Food and Nutrition Policy, CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), Background: Recent evidence suggests that diet inequities between men and women may have diminished within rural Bangladeshi households. However, this has not been directly tested with appropriate physiologic adjustments and it is unclear whether changes have occurred across socioeconomic strata. Understanding intrahousehold dietary patterns at different points on the income and food-security distribution in rural Bangladesh—particularly, within ultrapoor and farm households—is important for appropriate design of gender-sensitive and nutrition-sensitive interventions, which often target these groups. Objective: Using 2012 and 2016 data, we aimed to examine gender differences in diet quantity and quality among ultrapoor and farm households in rural Bangladesh. Methods: The study used baseline 24-h dietary data from 2 randomized control trials conducted in rural Bangladesh: the Transfer Modality Research Initiative (ultrapoor households) and the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Gender Linkages project (farm households). Ordinary least squares regressions with household-level fixed effects tested for gender differences among constructed diet measures, such as caloric intake, caloric adequacy ratio, dietary diversity score, global diet quality score, and probability of consuming moderate or high levels of healthy food groups. Results: In both samples, on average, women consumed fewer calories than men in the same households but consumed near equal or more in reference to their caloric needs. Women scored <1% lower than men on diet quality indicators and showed similar probabilities to men of consuming healthy foods. Most men and women in both samples were calorically inadequate (>60%) and recorded poor diet quality scores that indicated high risk of nutrient inadequacy and chronic disease (>95%). Conclusions: In both ultrapoor and farm households, although men record higher intake quantities and diet quality scores, the apparent male advantage disappear when energy requireme

Published
2023

15. Public Procurement of Paddy in Bangladesh: Implications for Policy

Author

AKHTER U. AHMED, M. MEHRAB BAKHTIAR, SADAT ANOWAR, and MOHAMMAD MOSHIUR RAHMAN

Abstract

Public procurement of foodgrains in Bangladesh has significant implications for production and public foodgrain stock. Boro is the main rice crop cultivated in Bangladesh. During the 2019 boro harvest season, farmers in Bangladesh, particularly smallholder farmers, were adversely affected by low paddy prices. This paper assesses to what extent boro farmers could sell their paddy to the government, evaluates the efficacy of direct paddy procurement from farmers and examines options for improving Bangladesh’s foodgrain procurement system. Relevant actors in the boro paddy procurement system were inter- viewed, including boro-growing farm households, rice millers, traders, and government officials. We have also conducted a study in West Bengal, India, to explore alternative paddy procurement systems. Using evidence from Bangladesh and West Bengal, we propose two policy options for rice procurement in Bangladesh. First, when the paddy price is low and does not cover farmers’ production cost per unit, the government can purchase paddy directly from farmers to provide necessary price support. Second, when the paddy price is high, the government can purchase rice from the market through open tender to build or replenish public foodgrain stocks.

Published
2021
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16. Trends and Inequities in Food, Energy, Protein, Fat, and Carbonhydrate Intakes in Rural Bangladesh

Author

Akhter U Ahmed, M Mehrab Bakhtiar, Masum Ali, Julie Ghostlaw, and Phuong Hong Nguyen

Subjects
Nutrition and Dietetics, Medicine (miscellaneous)
Abstract

Tracking dietary changes can inform strategies to improve nutrition, yet there is limited evidence on food consumption patterns and how disparities in food and nutrient intakes have changed in Bangladesh.We assessed trends and adequacies in energy and macronutrient intakes and evaluated changes in inequities by age group, sex, and expenditure quintile.We used panel data from the 2011 and 2018 Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (n = 20,339 and 19,818 household members ≥ 2 years, respectively). Dietary intakes were collected using 24-hour recall and food-weighing methods. Changes in energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using generalized linear models and adjusted Wald tests. Inequities in outcomes were examined by age group, sex, and expenditure quintile using the Slope Index of Inequality and Concentration Index.Between 2011 and 2018, dietary diversity improved across sex and age groups (30-46% in children, 60-65% in adolescents, 37-87% in adults), but diets remain imbalanced with around 70% of energy coming from carbohydrates. There were declines in intakes of energy (3-8%), protein (3-9%), and carbohydrate (9-16%) for all age groups (except children 2-5 years), but an increase in fat intake (57-68% in children and 22-40% in adults). Insufficient intake remained high for protein (50% among adults) and fat (80%) while excessive carbohydrate intake was 70%. Insufficient energy, protein, and fat intakes, and excessive carbohydrate intakes were more prevalent among poor households across survey years. Inequity gaps reduced for insufficient energy intake in most age groups, remained stable for insufficient protein intake, and increased for insufficient fat and excessive carbohydrate intakes.Despite improvements in dietary diversity, diets remain imbalanced and inequities in insufficient energy, protein, and fat intakes persist. Our findings call for coherent sets of policies and investments toward a well-functioning food system and social protection to promote healthier, more equitable diets in rural Bangladesh.

Published
2022

20. Do crowded classrooms crowd out learning? Evidence from the food for education program in Bangladesh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U.

Subjects
Education, Business, international, Economics, International relations
Abstract

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2005.09.011 Byline: Akhter U. Ahmed Keywords: South Asia; Bangladesh; food for education; test scores; classroom crowding; peer effect Abstract: Bangladesh's Food for Education Program (FFE), which provided free food to poor families if their children attended primary school, was successful in increasing children's school enrollment, especially for girls. However, this success came at a price as class sizes increased. This paper uses a rich data set that includes school achievement test scores, information on schools, and household data to explore the impact of FFE on the quality of education. The analysis focuses on the impact of FFE on the achievement test scores of students who did not receive benefits. We find evidence for a negative impact of FFE on the test scores of non-beneficiary students through peer effects rather than through classroom crowding effects. Author Affiliation: International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA Article History: Accepted 23 September 2005

Published
2006

22. Understanding Intra-household Food Allocation Rules Evidence from a Randomized Social Safety Net Intervention in Bangladesh.

Author

Coleman, Fiona M., Ahmed, Akhter U., Roy, Shalini, and Hoddinott, John

Subjects
FOOD prices, FOOD consumption, GIRLS, BOYS, NUTRITION, HOUSEHOLDS, GENDER inequality
Abstract

Evidence shows social protection can improve diets, but little is understood about how effects vary within a household or what factors determine how food is allocated across different household members. We use individual food intake data from two randomized control trials to estimate intrahousehold dietary impacts of cash or food transfers, with or without nutrition behavior change communication (BCC), in two regions of Bangladesh. We assess whether intrahousehold impacts 1) are consistent with different allocation "rules" hypothesized in the literature, 2) differ by transfer modality, provision of BCC, or regional context. Results indicate that households distribute food equally among their members (men, women, boys, and girls), both in absolute terms and in proportion to individual-specific requirements and deficits. Patterns are similar across regions and do not depend on transfer modality or whether BCC is provided. Findings have implications for designing nutrition-sensitive social protection with different target groups prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023

24. Poverty in Bangladesh: measurement, decomposition and intertemporal comparison

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U., Khan, Haider A., and Sampath, Rajan K.

Subjects
Bangladesh -- Economic aspects, Poverty -- Bangladesh, Economics, Political science, Regional focus/area studies
Abstract

This article, using the methodology developed by Foster, Greer, and Thorbecke to measure and decompose poverty, provides estimates of the levels of poverty in rural and urban areas in Bangladesh. It investigates in the context of Bangladesh, the most powerful effect of poverty in terms of a shortfall in food for daily calorie intake by the poor. It provides intertemporal comparison of poverty and its decomposition among subgroups. It also makes comparisons between the results obtained in this study with those currently available. The results of the study show a significant improvement in poverly situations in rural areas from 1982 to 1986. The article also discusses the policy implications of its findings.

Published
1991

26. The Impacts of GM Foods: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Bt Eggplant in Bangladesh.

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U., Hoddinott, John, Abedin, Naveen, and Hossain, Nusrat

Subjects
GENETICALLY modified foods, RANDOMIZED controlled trials, EGGPLANT, CLUSTER randomized controlled trials, ENVIRONMENTAL health, ORCHARDS
Abstract

We implemented a cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of genetically modified eggplant (Bt brinjal) in Bangladesh. Our two primary outcomes were changes in yield and in pesticide costs. Cultivation of Bt brinjal raises yields by 3,564 kg/ha. This statistically significant impact is equivalent to a 51% increase relative to the control group. There is a statistically significant fall in pesticide costs, 7,175 Taka per hectare (85 USD per ha), a 37.5% reduction. Yield increases arise because Bt farmers harvest more eggplant and because fewer fruits are discarded because they are damaged. Bt brinjal farmers sell more eggplant and receive a higher price for the output they sell while incurring lower input costs, resulting in a 128% increase in net revenues. Bt brinjal farmers used smaller quantities of pesticides and sprayed less frequently. Bt brinjal reduced the toxicity of pesticides as much as 76%. Farmers growing Bt brinjal and who had pre‐existing chronic conditions consistent with pesticide poisoning were 11.5% points less likely to report a symptom of pesticide poisoning and were less likely to incur cash medical expenses to treat these symptoms. Our results are robust to changes in model specification and adjustment for multiple hypothesis testing. We did not find evidence of heterogeneous effects by farmer age, schooling, or land cultivated. Bt brinjal is a publicly developed genetically modified organism that conveys significant productivity and income benefits while reducing the use of pesticides damaging to human and ecological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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27. Increasing Production Diversity and Diet Quality through Agriculture, Gender, and Nutrition Linkages: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in Bangladesh.

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U., Coleman, Fiona, Ghostlaw, Julie, Hoddinott, John, Menon, Purnima, Parvin, Aklima, Pereira, Audrey, Quisumbing, Agnes, Roy, Shalini, and Younus, Masuma

Subjects
AGRICULTURAL education, NUTRITION, DIET, AGRICULTURE, PRODUCTION increases
Abstract

A growing body of evidence indicates that agricultural development programs can potentially improve production diversity and diet quality of poor rural households; however, less is known about which aspects of program design are effective in diverse contexts and feasible to implement at scale. We address this issue through an evaluation of the Agriculture, Gender, and Nutrition Linkages (ANGeL) project. ANGeL is a randomized controlled trial testing what combination of trainings focused on agricultural production, nutrition behavior change communication, and gender sensitization were most effective in improving production diversity and diet quality among rural farm households in Bangladesh. We find that trainings focused on agriculture improved production diversity in terms of greater production of fruits and vegetables grown on the homestead, eggs, dairy, and fish; adding trainings on nutrition and gender did not significantly change these impacts. Trainings focused on both agriculture and nutrition showed the largest impacts on diet quality, with evidence indicating that households in this arm also significantly increased consumption out of homestead production for fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy, and fish. Findings indicate that agricultural training that promotes production of diverse, high-value, nutrient-rich foods can increase production diversity, and this can improve diet quality, but diet quality impacts are larger when agricultural training is combined with nutrition training. Relative to treatments combining agriculture and nutrition training, we find no significant impact of adding the gender sensitization on our measures of production diversity or diet quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022

28. Increasing Crop Production Benefits to Small Producers in Bangladesh

Author

Bryan, Elizabeth, Bell, Andrew Reid, Ringler, Claudia, and Ahmed, Akhter U.

Subjects
Bangladesh, Production Economics, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, food and beverages, fertilizer, Crop Production/Industries, irrigation, agriculture
Abstract

Agricultural production in South Asia is characterized by intensive use of inputs, such as fertilizers and irrigation water, and by a focus on production of staple crops, especially rice. However, continued growth of the agriculture sector is hampered by a number of challenges. In Bangladesh, these challenges include declining productivity of inputs, resource degradation, and lack of crop diversification. Expansion of agricultural lands is not an option given high population density. Rather, greater efficiency in agricultural production is needed to increase benefits to small producers. This paper examined the benefits of key crop production decisions for rural livelihoods across Bangladesh in order to suggest ways in which producers can increase returns to crop production. The study used plot-level data from a household survey to estimate the relative contribution of various inputs and practices to the total value of production from a given plot over the course of one year. Results were run separately for upper and lower expenditure quintiles to compare production outcomes for richer and poorer households. Three key results emerged: (1) that urea subsidies yielded benefits, though these might not be reaching those that needed it most; (2) that access to groundwater resulted in better production outcomes than access to surface water; and (3) that returns were greater from plots where rice was rotated with other crops.

Published
2018
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30. Tracking empowerment along the value chain: Testing a modified WEAI in the Feed the Future Zone of Influence in Bangladesh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U.; Malapit, Hazel J.; Pereira, Audrey; Quisumbing, Agnes R.; Rubin, Deborah; Ghostlaw, Julie; Haque, Md. Latiful; Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; Tauseef, Salauddin, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7394-8797 Malapit, Hazel; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5429-1857 Quisumbing, Agnes; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7982-7454 Pereira, Audrey; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5600-9835 Ghostlaw, Julie; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9357-9741 Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun, Ahmed, Akhter U.; Malapit, Hazel J.; Pereira, Audrey; Quisumbing, Agnes R.; Rubin, Deborah; Ghostlaw, Julie; Haque, Md. Latiful; Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; Tauseef, Salauddin, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7394-8797 Malapit, Hazel; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5429-1857 Quisumbing, Agnes; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7982-7454 Pereira, Audrey; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5600-9835 Ghostlaw, Julie; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9357-9741 Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun

Subjects
agricultural sector employment; agricultural entrepreneurship; agricultural sector employment; WEAI for Value Chains (WEAI4VC)
Abstract

Non-PR, PRSSP; IFPRI1; CRP2; Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index, PHND; PIM, CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM), Upon request of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) conducted this study to support USAID in assessing the state of empowerment and gender parity of men and women along the agricultural value chain in the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Influence (ZOI) in Bangladesh. Specifically, IFPRI’s Policy Research and Strategy Support Program (PRSSP), funded by USAID, piloted the modified Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) survey instruments in 10 upazilas (sub-districts) within the FTF ZOI across 1,200 households, which broadly belong to three economic activities of interest: (1) agricultural production, (2) agricultural entrepreneurship, and (3) agricultural sector employment. The quantitative survey was complemented by qualitative research to glean further insights into the facilitators and constraints of empowerment among various actors in the agricultural value chain. The data and analysis generated from this WEAI for Value Chain (WEAI4VC) study may inform USAID’s selection and design of interventions that may, in turn, maximize its programmatic impact on women and men’s empowerment as producers, entrepreneurs, and wage employees.

Published
2018

31. Regional developments [In 2018 Global food policy report]

Author

Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Ulimwengu, John M.; Badiane, Ousmane; Breisinger, Clemens; Abdelaziz, Fatma; Khouri, Nadim; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; Park, Allen; Kumar, Anjani; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Dawe, David; Wang, Zimeiyi; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Piñeiro, Valeria, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8905-0201 Ulimwengu, John; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1781-7335 Abdelaziz, Fatma; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4823-0086 Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4372-7141 Pineiro, Valeria; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3376-9698 Wang, Zimeiyi, Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Ulimwengu, John M.; Badiane, Ousmane; Breisinger, Clemens; Abdelaziz, Fatma; Khouri, Nadim; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; Park, Allen; Kumar, Anjani; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Dawe, David; Wang, Zimeiyi; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Piñeiro, Valeria, and http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8905-0201 Ulimwengu, John; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1781-7335 Abdelaziz, Fatma; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4823-0086 Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4372-7141 Pineiro, Valeria; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3376-9698 Wang, Zimeiyi

Subjects
global
Abstract

PR, IFPRI1; IFPRI4; EgyptSSP; PRSSP, DGO; MTID; DSGD; LAC; WCAO; AFR; SAO; SAR; ECAO; AFR, At the regional and country level, developments in 2017 had important repercussions for food security and nutrition. This section offers perspectives on food policy developments across the major regions: Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, East and Southeast Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Globalization and the impact of growing antiglobalization pressures on food security are examined for each region, along with many other current topics.

Published
2018

33. Does market inclusion empower women? Evidence from Bangladesh.

Author

Raghunathan, Kalyani, Ramani, Gayathri, Rubin, Deborah, Pereira, Audrey, Ahmed, Akhter U., Malapit, Hazel, and Quisumbing, Agnes R.

Subjects
SELF-efficacy, AGRICULTURAL diversification, INCOME, WOMEN'S empowerment, VALUE chains, WOMEN farmers
Abstract

Increased market inclusion through participation in agricultural value chains may increase employment and household incomes, but evidence on its empowerment impacts is mixed. In societies with restrictive social norms, greater market inclusion can enhance existing income and empowerment inequalities by relegating marginalized groups, including women, to low value chains or lower value nodes within those chains. We use primary data from rural Bangladesh to investigate the associations between households' primary economic activity -- agricultural wage-earning, production, or entrepreneurship -- and absolute and relative levels of men's and women's empowerment. Women in producer households, on average, fare better on empowerment outcomes than women in wage-earner or entrepreneur households; the opposite is true for men. The gap between men's and women's empowerment scores is also lowest in producer households. A decomposition of these results into composite indicators yields insights into potential trade-offs, while accompanying qualitative work highlights the importance of social and cultural norms in shaping the economic roles women can adopt. With a push towards diversification of agriculture into higher value market-oriented crops, more careful programming is needed to ensure that market inclusion translates into an increase in women's empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021

34. Regional developments [In 2017 Global Food Policy Report, in Chinese]

Author

Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Badiane, Ousmane; Breisinger, Clemens; Abdelaziz, Fatma; Khouri, Nadim; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Park, Allen; Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; Kumar, Anjani; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Dawe, David; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Torero, Máximo, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4823-0086 Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4863-3371 Torero, Maximo; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1781-7335 Abdelaziz, Fatma, Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Badiane, Ousmane; Breisinger, Clemens; Abdelaziz, Fatma; Khouri, Nadim; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Park, Allen; Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; Kumar, Anjani; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Dawe, David; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Torero, Máximo, and http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4823-0086 Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4863-3371 Torero, Maximo; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1781-7335 Abdelaziz, Fatma

Subjects
value chains; El Niño
Abstract

PR, IFPRI1, DGO; CPA; WCAO; DSGD; SAO; PHND; LAC

Published
2017

35. Patterns of farm mechanisation in Bangladesh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U., http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A., Ahmed, Akhter U., and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.

Abstract

Non-PR, IFPRI4; CSISA; CRP2, EPTD; PIM; PHND, CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM)

Published
2017

36. Regional developments [In 2017 Global Food Policy Report]

Author

Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Badiane, Ousmane; Breisinger, Clemens; Abdelaziz, Fatma; Khouri, Nadim; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Park, Allen; Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; Kumar, Anjani; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Dawe, David; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Torero, Máximo, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4823-0086 Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4863-3371 Torero, Maximo; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1781-7335 Abdelaziz, Fatma, Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Badiane, Ousmane; Breisinger, Clemens; Abdelaziz, Fatma; Khouri, Nadim; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Park, Allen; Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; Kumar, Anjani; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Dawe, David; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Torero, Máximo, and http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4823-0086 Ilyasov, Jarilkasin; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4863-3371 Torero, Maximo; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1781-7335 Abdelaziz, Fatma

Subjects
value chains; El Niño
Abstract

PR, IFPRI1, DGO; CPA; WCAO; DSGD; SAO; PHND; LAC, 2016 saw important developments with potentially wide repercussions for food security and nutrition in individual countries and regions. This section offers perspectives on food policy developments across the major regions: Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Urbanization trends and related impacts on food security and nutrition are presented for each region. The individual regional sections cover many other critical topics: Acceleration of cooperation and investment in Africa to improve food security in the face of climate challenges and low commodity prices; Continuing conflict in the Middle East and North Africa, while some countries begin to face policy reform needs and realities of low oil prices; Central Asia’s promotion of agricultural diversification and regional integration to increase economic resilience; South Asia’s rapid growth and new investments and policies in the agriculture sector; Urbanization, changing diets, and regional growth in East Asia Recession in major economies of Latin America and the Caribbean along with El Niño’s effects on regional prospects.

Published
2017

39. An end in sight to early marriage? Evidence from IFPRI’s 2015 survey in rural Bangladesh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U.; Sufian, Farha; Ghostlaw, Julie, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5600-9835 Ghostlaw, Julie, Ahmed, Akhter U.; Sufian, Farha; Ghostlaw, Julie, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5600-9835 Ghostlaw, Julie

Subjects
early marriage
Abstract

Non-PR, IFPRI1; PRSSP, PHND, Upon request of the Governance Innovation Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, IFPRI has prepared this research note using 2015 nationally representative household survey data. This note provides an overview of the state of early marriage in rural Bangladesh, changes in marriage trends over a twenty-year time period, and briefly explores ways to reduce the incidence of early child marriage in Bangladesh as a conduit for development progress.

Published
2016

40. An evaluation of the program on enhancing resilience to natural disasters and the effects of climate change in Bangladesh

Author

Hernandez, Ricardo; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Akter, Arifeen; Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; Choudhury, Samira; Malek, Mehrab, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3168-2388 Hernandez, Ricardo; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0617-7547 Akter, Arifeen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9357-9741 Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6914-3913 Malek, Mehrab, Hernandez, Ricardo; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Akter, Arifeen; Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; Choudhury, Samira; Malek, Mehrab, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3168-2388 Hernandez, Ricardo; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0617-7547 Akter, Arifeen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9357-9741 Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6914-3913 Malek, Mehrab

Subjects
resilience
Abstract

Non-PR, IFPRI1; PRSSP, PHND; PIM, CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM), The overall objective of the ER+ component is to assist ultra-poor women and their families in disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh in lifting themselves above the lower poverty line toward greater food security. To achieve the objective, a third “promotional” year has been introduced to ER, during which women—either ER laborers/trainees themselves or the wives, daughters, mothers, or sisters of male ER laborers/trainees—receive a substantive cash grant to invest in a productive asset or income-generating activity in combination with relevant business-related training, a one-year monthly cash allowance, and intensive follow-up support. The resulting model therefore combines the pre-existing “protective” elements (employment generation and 4 community asset development) with “promotional” elements for a more viable pathway out of extreme poverty and toward food security

Published
2016

41. Strategic review of food security and nutrition in Bangladesh

Author

Osmani, S. R.; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Ahmed, Tahmeed; Hossain, Naomi; Huq, Saleemul; Shahan, Asif, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A., Osmani, S. R.; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Ahmed, Tahmeed; Hossain, Naomi; Huq, Saleemul; Shahan, Asif, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.

Abstract

Non-PR, IFPRI5, PHND

Published
2016

42. Regional developments [In 2016 Global Food Policy Report]

Author

Badiane, Ousmane; Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Khouri, Nadim; Breisinger, Clemens; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Park, Allen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Kumar, Anjani; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Chiang, Longwen; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Torero, Máximo, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9437-5644 Allen, Summer L.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4863-3371 Torero, Maximo, Badiane, Ousmane; Makombe, Tsitsi; Collins, Julia; Khouri, Nadim; Breisinger, Clemens; Akramov, Kamiljon T.; Park, Allen; Joshi, Pramod Kumar; Ahmed, Akhter U.; Davies, Stephen; Kumar, Anjani; Chen, Kevin Z.; Timmer, Peter; Chiang, Longwen; Díaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; Torero, Máximo, and http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9437-5644 Allen, Summer L.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-0508 Akramov, K.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-3400 Badiane, Ousmane; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-0682 Breisinger, Clemens; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-4705 Collins, Julia; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7927-4132 Chen, Kevin; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-6588 Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-0893 Davies, Stephen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-6598 Kumar, Anjani; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9637-1767 Joshi, Pramod Kumar; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-7210 Park, Allen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5297-7428 Makombe, Tsitsi; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4863-3371 Torero, Maximo

Subjects
resilience; sustainable development goals; social protection; social safety nets; value of production; value chains
Abstract

PR, IFPRI1; C Improving markets and trade, DGO; CKM; ESAO; WCAO; SAO; DSGD; MTID, In addition to global events and food policy changes, 2015 also saw important developments with potentially wide repercussions in individual countries and regions. This chapter offers perspectives on major food policy developments across the major regions: Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The individual regional sections cover many critical topics: Facing climate risks and growing populations with regional cooperation and accountability in Africa; Growing refugee populations, food insecurity, and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa; Vulnerability to external shocks and falling remittances that increase Central Asia’s food insecurity; New policies for food safety, nutrition, and financial and social inclusion in South Asia; Expected impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in East Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean’s contribution to global food security and global environmental public goods

Published
2016

43. Adoption of stress-tolerant rice varieties in Bangladesh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U.; Hernandez, Ricardo; Naher, Firdousi, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3168-2388 Hernandez, Ricardo, Ahmed, Akhter U.; Hernandez, Ricardo; Naher, Firdousi, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3168-2388 Hernandez, Ricardo

Abstract

PR, IFPRI4;CSISA, PHND; DSGD

Published
2016

44. Economic and Health Impacts of Genetically Modified Eggplant: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Bt brinjal in Bangladesh.

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U., Hoddinott, John F., Abedin, Naveen, and Hossain, Nusrat Z.

Abstract

In this paper, we assess the impacts of genetically modified eggplant, Bt brinjal, on economic and health outcomes in Bangladesh using a cluster randomized controlled design. Bt brinjal cultivation reduces the cost of pesticide use by 47 percent. This is driven by reductions in the use of pesticides with adverse ecological impacts by 82 percent, and reductions in the use of pesticides with adverse effects on farmer health by 23 percent. Individuals who had a preexisting chronic condition consistent with pesticide exposure and who lived in villages randomly selected to grow Bt brinjal were 11.5 percentage points less likely to report a symptom of pesticide exposure and were 11 percentage points less likely to incur cash medical expenses to treat these symptoms. Net yields were 42 percent higher for Bt brinjal farmers, and our descriptive distributional work suggests that these yield gains are widespread. The differences in net yields were driven by two outcomes: the quantity harvested was higher on Bt brinjal fields, by 114 kilograms per farmer; and after harvesting, fewer fruits were discarded because of damage due to pests and diseases, by 40 kilograms per farmer. Increased production, together with a 14 percent increase in price and a 10 percent reduction in costs, leads to a substantial increase in profits from cultivating Bt brinjal for treatment farmers compared with conventional brinjal produced by control farmers. Bt brinjal is a publicly developed GMO that conveys significant health benefits, both human and ecological, while raising farmer incomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019

45. Women’s empowerment in agriculture: What role for food security in Bangladesh?

Author

Sraboni, Esha, Malapit, Hazel J., Quisumbing, Agnes R., and Ahmed, Akhter U.

Subjects
Gender, Women, food security, Agriculture, Nutrition, Nutritional status, health services administration, education, social sciences, health care economics and organizations
Abstract

Using nationally representative survey data from Bangladesh, we examine the relationship between women’s empowerment in agriculture and two measures of household food security: per adult equivalent calorie availability and dietary diversity. We use the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index to assess the extent of women’s empowerment in agriculture and instrumental variables techniques to correct for the potential endogeneity of empowerment. We find that the overall women’s empowerment score, the number of groups in which women actively participate, women’s control of assets, and a narrowing gap in empowerment between men and women within households are positively associated with calorie availability and dietary diversity.

Published
2013

46. Policy perspectives of the country investment plan for food and nutrition security in Bangladeh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U., Aberman, Noora-Lisa, Jabbar, Mohammad A., and Akhtar, Nazneen

Subjects
food policy, nutrition, food security, country investment plan, livelihoods, agricultural development, marketing, distribution, food price, IFPRI, Bangladesh, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing, Public Economics, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Q1, Q11, Q13, Q16, Q18
Abstract

Prepared by IFPRI for the Policy Research and Strategy Support Program for Food Security and Agricultural Development in Bangladesh, Dhaka

Published
2011

47. Agricultural value chains in the Feed the Future zone of influence in Bangladesh: Baseline study

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U.; Hernandez, Ricardo; Akter, Arifeen; Hossain, Nusrat; Quabili, Wahid; Abedin, Zeeshan; Shaba, Fiona; Rokon, Redwan, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3168-2388 Hernandez, Ricardo; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0617-7547 Akter, Arifeen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9357-9741 Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0552-5733 Quabili, Wahid; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1220-2748 Abedin, Zeeshan, Ahmed, Akhter U.; Hernandez, Ricardo; Akter, Arifeen; Hossain, Nusrat; Quabili, Wahid; Abedin, Zeeshan; Shaba, Fiona; Rokon, Redwan, and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3168-2388 Hernandez, Ricardo; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0617-7547 Akter, Arifeen; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9357-9741 Hossain, Nusrat Zaitun; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0552-5733 Quabili, Wahid; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1220-2748 Abedin, Zeeshan

Subjects
value chains
Abstract

Non-PR, IFPRI1; PRSSP, PHND, The present study looks into the first link in the agricultural value chain: the producers. Upon request from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) conducted this agricultural value-chain study through its Bangladesh Policy Research and Strategy Support Program for Food Security and Agricultural Development (PRSSP), funded by USAID. The IFPRI-PRSSP conducted this study in the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Influence (ZOI) in the south and southwest regions of the country. FTF is the US government’s global hunger and food security initiative that supports country-driven approaches to address the root causes of poverty, hunger, and undernutrition. In Bangladesh, FTF’s collective efforts aim to improve the livelihood and nutritional status of households through: (1) increased on-farm productivity, (2) increased investment in market systems and value chains, (3) enhanced food security policy and planning capacity, (4) enhanced agriculture innovation capacity, and (5) improved nutritional status of the rural poor.

Published
2015

48. Gender empowerment gaps in agriculture and children’s well-being in Bangladesh

Author

Malapit, Hazel J.; Sraboni, Esha; Quisumbing, Agnes R.; Ahmed, Akhter U., http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7394-8797 Malapit, Hazel; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5429-1857 Quisumbing, Agnes, Malapit, Hazel J.; Sraboni, Esha; Quisumbing, Agnes R.; Ahmed, Akhter U., and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-502X Ahmed, A.; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7394-8797 Malapit, Hazel; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5429-1857 Quisumbing, Agnes

Subjects
empowerment; well being; Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index
Abstract

Non-PR, IFPRI1; CRP2; CRP4; G Cross-cutting gender theme; DCA; PRSSP; Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index, PHND; PIM; A4NH, CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM); CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), Development programs that reduce gender gaps are expected to not only improve women’s well-being, but also their children’s. This draws on a growing body of literature that shows a strong positive association between women’s status and control over resources and improvements in children’s outcomes, particularly nutrition and education. In this paper, we provide empirical evidence on the relationship between empowerment gaps between men and women in the same household and children’s well-being using nationally representative data from the 2012 Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS). We measure children’s well-being using nutritional status for younger children (ages 0–5) and education outcomes for older children (ages 6–10 and 11–17). We measure relative empowerment using direct measures of empowerment collected from men and women in the same households using the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index. Our findings suggest that gender gaps in empowerment are only weakly linked to children’s nutrition, although different measures of empowerment reveal significant differences between boys’ and girls’ outcomes, depending on the measures used. Overall, the household head’s (father’s) education is significantly associated with better nutrition and education outcomes for children, but younger girls (ages 6–10) and older boys and girls (ages 11–17) are more likely to receive more education when mothers are more educated. Our results on parental education suggest that fathers’ empowerment may be reflecting a “wealth” effect that is invested in children’s nutrition and education when they are young, while mothers’ empowerment becomes more important in girls’ education in general and keeping older children, regardless of sex, in school.

Published
2015

49. An analysis of institutions and policy processes for selected antipoverty interventions in Bangladesh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U. and Khondkar, Mubina

Subjects
microfinance institutions, Agricultural technology, primary education, Education, Gender
Abstract

This study attempts to provide an understanding of how the process of institutional change influences the outcomes of interventions. To better understand the context in which these interventions took place, the study examines the institutional aspects of new agricultural technology interventions and the policy processes of food- and cash-based education incentive programs. The institutional analysis pays special attention to issues of institutional origins, persistence, and transformation. The paper then examines the motivation and policy processes of the Food for Education program and its subsequent replacement, the cash-based Primary Education Stipend program. The study reviews similarities and differences among selected antipoverty interventions according to their pro-poor orientation, attention to gender issues, extent of involvement of other partners, attention to sustainability, and the use of research and evaluation to inform organizational change.

Published
2010

50. Comparing Food and Cash Transfers to the Ultra-Poor in Bangladesh

Author

Ahmed, Akhter U., Quisumbing, Agnes R., Nasreen, Mahbuba, Hoddinott, John F., and Bryan, Elizabeth

Subjects
Cash transfers, cost effectiveness, food security, Poverty, Poverty reduction, safety net programs, women empowerment, health care economics and organizations
Abstract

"Bangladesh has some social safety net programs that transfer food to the poor, some that transfer cash, and some that provide a combination of both. This study evaluates the relative impacts of food and cash transfers on food security and livelihood outcomes among the ultra poor in Bangladesh. The programs impacts are evaluated according to various measures, including how well transfers are delivered; which transfers beneficiaries prefer; how accurately the programs target the extremely poor; effects on food security, livelihoods, and women’s empowerment; and cost effectiveness. The report identifies what has and has not worked in food and cash transfers and recommends ways of improving these programs. This study will be valuable to policymakers and others concerned with poverty reduction in Bangladesh and elsewhere." from text

Published
2009

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