December 2019 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Abul Barkat Rabeya Yasmin Muhammad S. H. Siddiquee Faisal M Ahamed

Abbreviations

BDT Taka

BRAC Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee

DFSA Development Food Security Activity

FANTA Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance

FFP Food for Peace

FGDs Focus Group Discussions

HDRC Human Development Research Centre

HH Household

IGA Income Generating Activity

KIIs Key Informant Interviews

PSF Pond Sand Filters

PSU Primary Sampling Unit

SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences

USAID United States Agency for International Development

WVB World Vision Bangladesh

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1

CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY ...... 1 1.1 Background: The Graduation Assessment ...... 1 1.2 Overall Assessment Method ...... 2 1.3 The Graduation Indicators ...... 2 1.4 Measurements of the Graduation Criteria ...... 3 1.5 Survey Design for Quantitative Data ...... 4 1.5.1 Sample Design for Quantitative Survey ...... 4 1.5.2 Survey Design for Qualitative Data: ...... 5 1.6 Ethical Consideration ...... 6 1.7 Data/Information Analysis Plan ...... 6 1.8 The Response Rates ...... 6 CHAPTER 2: FINDINGS FROM GRADUATION ASSESSMENT ...... 7 2.1 Criteria 1: Minimum 2 sources of income (essential) ...... 7 2.2 Criteria 2: Had 2 full meals a day for the past year (essential) ...... 9 2.3 Criteria 3: Household increased productive assets 2 times (essential) ...... 11 2.4 Criteria 4: Households have kitchen gardens (essential) ...... 13 2.5 Criteria 5: Cash savings (essential) ...... 14 2.6 Criteria 6: Use of a sanitary latrine and safe drinking water (essential) ...... 15 2.7 Criteria 7: Practicing knowledge in the disaster preparedness activities (essential) ...... 17 2.8 Criteria 8: No child marriage in the household (Conditional) ...... 19 2.9 Criteria 9: School-aged children are going to school (Conditional) ...... 20 2.10 Criteria 10: Eligible couples adopt family planning method (Conditional)...... 21 2.11 Overall Assessment of graduation criteria ...... 22

HDRC 1 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The NOBO JATRA graduation component enabled 92.7 percent of the targeted ultra-poor households to move out of poverty over 24 months.

World Vision Bangladesh has been implementing the Ultra Poor Graduation Component in the NOBO JATRA Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) funded by the USAID Office of Food for Peace (FFP). To address the chronic poverty across four sub-districts in division, the World Vision led NOBO JATRA project modified BRAC’s graduation model to deliver a sequence of targeted interventions that aim to graduate 21,000 extremely poor households from fragile income sources to sustainable, diverse livelihoods. The direct participants of the Graduation Component in the NOBO JATRA DFSA were female. Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) as an independent research organization conducted the NOBO JATRA- ultra-poor graduation component baseline study for the Ultra Poor Graduation activity comprising both treatment and control areas and as per design of the NOBO JATRA project implementation and assessment, nearing the end of program implementation for Cohort I (after end of 24 months’ cycle), this graduation assessment covered areas under Cohort I of the Graduation Component of NOBO JATRA DFSA except for the control areas. The overall objective of this study is to assess graduation status based on a set of graduation criteria designed for Graduation component of NOBO JATRA DFSA.

The Graduation component of NOBO JATRA DFSA identified a total of 10 graduation criteria for the program assessment purpose. However, some graduation criteria were conditional (optional) to selected households only. The graduation assessment criteria were divided into two categories: essential and optional/conditional considering such limitation. Out of 10 graduation criteria, 7 were essential, and 3 were optional or conditional. The benchmark for graduation was set at achieving 80 percent or above of the essential criteria suggested by WVB. Therefore, a household is termed as “Graduated” if it satisfies 6 of the 7 essential graduation criteria.

Successful graduation assessment required applying both quantitative and qualitative methods (i.e., a mixed method of QUANT-QUAL). A household survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted to collect quantitative data. Qualitative information was collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).

The quantitative survey was planned as a panel survey (i.e., repeated cross-sections where same households at the baseline were surveyed repeatedly) comprising only treatment households of Cohort I. The baseline survey covered 408 participant households from 34 literacy centers. So, the sample size for this graduation assessment in Cohort I was also assumed 408. Finally, this study considered 387 participant households after considering the attrition rate. Focus group discussions were conducted with beneficiaries in the treatment area. Key informant interviews included interviews with program officials at head office, experts, local leaders and field facilitators of the program.

Quantitative data analysis techniques included univariate analysis, bivariate analysis. Comparative analysis between baseline and graduation assessment (hypothesis testing) took place to assess the achievements of the program. Qualitative information was analyzed through content analysis. The qualitative information and quantitative data analysis were performed separately, and their findings were synthesized.

HDRC 2 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

The assessment suggests that the average number of income sources among the participating households is 3.2. Also, a noticeable critical fact is that the proportion of females reporting homemaking as a primary occupation has reduced significantly to 3.5 percent compared to 33.6 percent in the baseline. The average gross monthly income in the participating sample households stands at 7,959 BDT (US$ 94.2)1 during graduation assessment, whereas it was 6,948 BDT (US$ 82.2) at the baseline. 96.6 percent of sample participant households had 2 main meals a day for the past one year, and 81.7 percent of households did not report any food shortage, whereas this was only 14.9 percent in the baseline.

Of the participating households, 14 percent reported their access to agricultural land, and this was only 3.9 percent at the baseline. The access to water bodies among the sample households reached to 10.9 percent in the graduation assessment from 3.9 percent in the baseline, implying a significant improvement in the access to water bodies by the marginalized segment of the population. The average number of productive assets in the participant households from the graduation assessment was 14.8. This is more than a two-fold increase as compared to baseline. The aggregated average market value of productive assets increased by 39.1 percent compared to baseline. Overall, 83.7 percent of participants of Graduation component of NOBO JATRA DFSA practice homestead gardening. Almost all participant households (99.1%) having vegetable garden consumed vegetables produced in their homestead garden. About half of them sold their produced vegetables in the market, implying a strong linkage with the market.

Almost all the target households (99.5%) reported having some cash savings, whereas it was only 36.5 percent in the baseline. 88.1 percent of target households have access to formal financial services. During baseline, such access was only 15.9 per cent. Nearly half (45.2%) of the participant households are not only practicing saving but also applying their savings to further enhancing income, leading towards their livelihood improvements.

A large majority of households (85.2%) have access to improved sanitary latrines, and thus, 14.8 percent are currently using an unimproved latrine. At the baseline, 74.5 percent of households had access to improved sanitary latrines. Therefore, NOBO JATRA’s contribution regarding significantly improving access to sanitary latrines is evident in this study. Moreover, most of the households have access to safe drinking water.

At the graduation assessment, it is found that almost all the beneficiaries have knowledge about the actions which should be undertaken at the time of natural disaster and they are well prepared for actions if any disaster might occur.

A majority of the beneficiaries (86.3%) have the correct knowledge about the minimum legal age of marriage for boys and girls, which is 21 and 18 years consecutively. The prevalence of early marriage has dramatically been reduced in the treatment area. It is evident that cases of early marriage during the graduation assessment reduced to 2 from 10 during baseline. More than 94 percent of the eligible school-going children were attending school. Among the eligible couples, 74.8 percent were using modern contraceptive methods.

The NOBO JATRA graduation component enabled 92.7 percent of the targeted ultra-poor households to move out of poverty over 24 months against a target of 21,000 ultra-poor households. The percentage distribution of households by different essential graduation criteria by is presented in the table below.

1 1 US$ = 84.5 BDT (yearly average January-December 2019). Retrieved from: https://www.bb.org.bd/econdata/exchangerate.php (accessed on 15 December 2019) HDRC 3 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Upazila Graduation Criteria (essential) Overall Dacope Koyra Kaliganj Shyamnagar Criteria 1: Minimum of 2 sources of income 100.0 100.0 100.0 99.0 99.5 Criteria 2: Had 2 full meals in a day in the 77.1 73.4 91.4 83.1 81.7 last year Criteria 3: Household increased productive 94.3 98.4 96.6 92.8 94.6 assets 2 times Criteria 4: Households have kitchen gardens 98.6 90.6 94.8 85.6 90.2 Criteria 5: Cash savings (includes formal as 100.0 98.4 100.0 99.5 99.5 well as informal saving) Criteria 6: Use of a sanitary latrine and safe 80.0 92.2 89.7 80.0 83.5 drinking water Criteria 7: Practicing knowledge in the 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 disaster preparedness activities Overall Program Graduation 92.9 93.3 96.1 91.4 92.7 Qualified on at least 6 graduation 91.5 92.2 96.6 89.7 91.5 criteria Qualified on all graduation criteria 58.6 62.5 77.6 52.8 59.2 N 70 64 58 195 387

The NOBO JATRA DFSA included a number of intercorrelated interventions to lift the participating ultra-poor households from the abyss of poverty. Literacy training enabled them to learn and realize the possibility of upliftment from the vicious circle of poverty. The savings and credit group and kitchen garden are likely to sustain, contributing to resilience, household income, nutrition, and food security. Mobile financial services will ensure the participant’s access to financial services. In consideration of the evidence-based development identified above among the participants, the sustainability of the poverty elevated livelihood growth will continue. It can be reaffirmed during the impact assessment of the participants of Cohort II. HDRC i Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

HDRC 1 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Chapter 1 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY

1.1 Background: The Graduation Assessment

World Vision Bangladesh has been implementing the Ultra Poor Graduation Component in the NOBO JATRA Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) funded by the USAID Office of Food for Peace (FFP). To address the chronic poverty across four sub-districts in , the World Vision led Nobo Jatra project modified BRAC’s graduation model to deliver a sequence of targeted interventions that aim to graduate 21,000 extremely poor households from fragile income sources to sustainable, diverse livelihoods. Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) as an independent research organization conducted the NOBO JATRA baseline study comprising both treatment and control areas. Four treatment were selected from Khulna (Dacope and Koyra) and (Kaliganj and Shyamnagar) districts, respectively. Assassuni Upazila, located in , was considered as control based on some observable characteristics. It is to be noted here that the baseline took place in two different cohorts (i.e., Cohort I & Cohort II) in line with program implementation design, six months apart from each other. Though both Cohorts covered all four treatment Upazilas mentioned above, different unions were selected for avoiding the overlapping issue as well as contamination effects.

As per the design of the NOBO Figure 1: The Target Area of NOBO JATRA Graduation JATRA project implementation Assessment and assessment, graduation criteria set for Cohort I would PANCHAGARH

THAKURGAON NILPHA LALMO MARI NIRH AT

DINAJPUR be assessed after end of the cycle KURIGRAM RANGPUR INDIA

GAIBANDHA SHERPUR JOYPUR (i.e., 24 months). This implies HAT

SUNAMGANJ NAOGAON JAMALPUR NETROKONA

NAWAB GONJ MOULAVI BAZAR that the activities listed for KISHOREGONJ NATORE SIRAJGONJ TANGAIL HOBIGONJ

INDIA BRAHMAN INDIA NARSINGDI BARIA MEHER PUR MANIKGONJ Cohort I would be complete N' GONJ CHUA RAJBARI DANGA

JHENAIDAH MUNSHI MAGURA GONJ FARIDPUR CHANDPUR MADARI SHA KHAGRA PUR RIAT within the duration of 24 CHHARI NARAIL PUR GO PAL GONJ LAXMI FENI PUR NOAKHALI RANGAMAT I PIROJ KHULNA BHOLA SATKHIRA PUR CHITTA JHALO GONG BAGERH AT months. Nearing the end of KATI Sandwip PATUA KHALI Hatiya SADAR

BARGUNA program implementation for BANDARBAN Kutubdia COX'S BAZAR M A Cohort I, graduation assessment Y A N M A assigned for this study covered Dacope R areas under Cohort I of the Kaliganj NOBO JATRA Graduation Koyra component except for the Shyamnagar control one. The overall objective of this study is to assess graduation status based on a set of graduation criteria designed for NOBO JATRA Graduation component.

HDRC 2 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

1.2 Overall Assessment Method

Successful graduation assessment required applying both qualitative and quantitative methods (i.e., a mixed method of QUANT-QUAL). A household survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted to collect quantitative data. Qualitative information was collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).

The quantitative findings were the key to assess the graduation criteria set for NOBO JATRA Program. HDRC team in consultation with World Vision Bangladesh (WVB) developed a list of variables for the graduation assessment considering the interventions undertaken by the project. The list of variables was inspected for data availability for the sample households and appropriateness as graduation has to be ‘measurable’. As a result of such inspection through brainstorming sessions between HDRC and WVB expert team, the final list of variables came down to 7 for the graduation assessment. All 7 variables have been used as NOBO JATRA graduation criteria, and the benchmark for graduation was set at 80 percent or above (as suggested by WVB). Therefore, a household will be considered as “Graduated” if the household satisfies 6 of the 7 graduation assessment criteria. All indicators used for assessing graduation will be transformed into a dummy variable (i.e., presence and absence of an attribute) based on the assessment survey.

The dummy variable, 𝑡= 1, if yes 0, if no

i= graduation indicators = 1, 2, . … … …, 7

So, a household will be considered graduated if ∑ 𝑡 6.

This assessment assumes equal weight for each of the graduation criteria. Introducing separate weights for different graduation criteria is complex due to the very nature of NOBO JATRA interventions. Also, the weights for different criteria will depend on the project’s action plan for graduation. Overall, separate weights for different graduation criteria have a lot of dynamics and may not be conceptualized in a uniform way. Hence, we opted for equal weight.

1.3 The Graduation Indicators

The NOBO JATRA Graduation component identified a total of 10 graduation criteria for the program assessment purpose. However, 3 of the 10 graduation criteria were conditional to selected households only (i.e., the criteria “School-aged children are going to school” cannot be assessed if the target household does not include any school-going children).

Considering such limitation, the graduation criteria were divided into 2 categories: essential and optional/conditional. Out of 10 graduation criteria, 7 and 3 graduation criteria were essential and optional or conditional, respectively. The following list shows the graduation criteria set by NOBO JATRA.

Essential Graduation Criteria

Criteria 1: Minimum 2 sources of income Criteria 2: Had 2 full meals in a day in the last year Criteria 3: Household increased productive assets 2 times HDRC 3 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Criteria 4: Households have kitchen gardens Criteria 5: Cash savings Criteria 6: Use of a sanitary latrine and safe drinking water Criteria 7: Practicing knowledge in the disaster preparedness activities

Conditional Graduation Criteria Criteria 8: No child marriage in the household Criteria 9: School-aged children are going to school Criteria 10: Eligible couples adopt family planning method

1.4 Measurements of the Graduation Criteria

Each graduation criteria was measured using a set of relevant variables. The questionnaire was prepared based on the means of verification for the Graduation Criteria described and reported in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1: Means of verification for the graduation criteria

Graduation criteria Means of verification Method of indicator construction Source of income by household The primary income source of the members household members was considered. Criteria 1: Minimum Household income for the past 3 The primary income sources were 2 sources of income months binary coded and aggregated for each Households used cash grant to household. increase income All household members having 2 The households were asked “was full meals a day for the past year there ever no food to eat of any kind Non-availability of food due to in your house because of a lack of Criteria 2: Had 2 full lack of resources in the past 4 resources to get food?” if a household meals a day for the weeks reported “no” to this question, the past year Consumption of food (by 12 food household is assumed to have had 2 groups as suggested in FANTA full meals a day for the past year. III) within 24 hours Households having productive The value (reported market price) of Criteria 3: assets: Livestock, Poultry the listed productive assets were Household increased Households used cash grant to added for participant households productive assets 2 increase productive assets (Cohort I) baseline and end line and times compared. Household having cultivated Households were asked about having vegetables in homestead a kitchen garden. The enumerators Type of vegetables cultivated in were instructed to observe the Criteria 4: the homestead kitchen garden in the participant Households have Number of months the HH can household. kitchen gardens consume vegetables cultivated in the homestead Vegetables cultivated in the homestead sold for earning Households practice saving at a Households were asked about saving regular interval (weekly/monthly) practices and location of saving. The Criteria 5: Cash Amount of saving (regular/total) saving practices were binary coded. savings Households having a formal bank account HDRC 4 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Graduation criteria Means of verification Method of indicator construction Households having mobile banking account (bKash/Rocket etc.) Source of drinking water Improved latrines and source of safe Treatment water before drinking water source were binary coded Criteria 6: Use of a if the source is not safe separately. The binary codes were sanitary latrine and Type of latrine used combined to identify households using safe drinking water Having water seal in the latrine an improved latrine and a safe source Use of shared latrine of drinking water. Knowledge on disaster A household is considered practicing preparedness knowledge of disaster preparedness if Criteria 7: Practicing Arrangement of shelter and one of the following was true: knowledge in the storage of food during a disaster  Members took shelter during a disaster Safety of productive assets during disaster preparedness disaster  Stored dry food for disaster activities Use of savings for disaster coping management  Safety and security of productive assets were ensured. Incidence of child marriage in the The marriage incidences in the (eligible) household household in the last 24 months was Knowledge of minimum age for asked. The sex and age of the Criteria 8: No child boys and girls youngest person who got married marriage in the were asked. The age and sex of the household youngest person married were inspected in line with the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017 of Bangladesh. Number of school-aged children Households were inspected for Criteria 9: School- (5-16 years) in the household members aged between 5 and 16. The aged children are All school-aged children are going household was asked how many of going to school to school them are not continuing school. Reason for not going to school Type of family planning method Households were inspected for eligible couple using couples with wife aged between 15-45 Criteria 10: Eligible Number of children of the years. The female was asked about couples adopt family eligible couple the use of the current family planning planning method Accessibility to family planning method. commodity

1.5 Survey Design

1.5.1 Sample Design for Quantitative Survey

The quantitative survey is a matched panel survey (i.e., repeated cross-sections where same households at the baseline were surveyed repeatedly) comprising only participant households of Cohort I. This means that households surveyed in the baseline for Cohort I were re-surveyed for the graduation assessment.

Sampling design for NOBO JATRA DFSA participant households at the baseline was replicated for the graduation assessment. Literacy centers formed by the program were the Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) for the baseline survey. The baseline survey among HDRC 5 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA participant households of Cohort I took place in 34 PSUs, where 12 participants were interviewed from each literacy center totaling 408 samples of NOBO JATRA DFSA participant in Cohort I.

Quantitative Sample Determination During Baseline The sample size for the baseline survey was determined using the standard statistical approach. The following sampling formula was adopted, which involved confidence level, precision level, central limit theorem, as well as the second approximation of sample size. 𝑛 𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑟𝑛 1 Where, n0i = First approximation = ni = Sample size of beneficiaries pi = Anticipated binomial probability qi = 1-p Z = Standard normal variate value at 95% confidence level e = Margin of error (5%) deff = Design effect for multistage sampling attr = Attrition for dropout or internal migration etc. nr = Probable non-response in control group Ni = Total Number of project beneficiaries

Calculations Using above equation, assuming pi = 0.50, with 5 percent margin of error, 1.3 design effect (design effect for a 2-stage sampling strategy ranges from 1.3 to 2.0 or higher considering the nature of the target population. Considering the fact that the target respondents are homogenous considering different livelihood indicators since they have been selected as beneficiaries of a graduation component we considered a design effect of 1.3 would be sufficient to capture variation in remaining aspects), and 10 percent attrition the estimated sample sizes for beneficiaries in each cohort of intervention group is 408.

Sampling and Sample Size

The baseline survey covered 408 participant households from 34 literacy centers. So, the sample size for this graduation assessment in Cohort I was also assumed 408. Finally, this study considered 387 participant households after considering the attrition rate.

1.5.2 Survey Design for Qualitative Data

Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions—as tools for qualitative information collection—were used as part of graduation assessment as well as supplements to the quantitative data.

Focus Group Discussion

Focus Group Discussions were conducted with participants of NOBO JATRA DFSA. FGDs involved 7-9 program beneficiaries grouped to discuss issues concerning graduation assessment criteria. FGDs were conducted using facilitator and note-taker. The facilitator used a discussion guideline (open-ended) while note-taker recorded discussion, comments and observations, 2 FGDs per Upazila were undertaken. HDRC 6 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Key Informant Interview Distribution of KIIs This technique included interviews with program officials Respondent category Total at head office, experts, local leaders and field facilitators Program officials at HQ 2 of the program. The focus was on obtaining information Local leaders 8 to crosscheck with those of other sources, identifying Field facilitators 8 critical issues/problems and gathering strategies for way Total 18 forwards.

1.6 Ethical Consideration

All relevant important ethical agreements/issues including voluntary participation, no harm to participants, deceiving subjects, informed consent, unbiased analysis and reporting, anonymity and confidentiality, professional code of ethics were strictly adhered to. In complying that among others the following were complied with:  The purpose and objective of the study were explained to each respondent/participant;  The respondent was informed that his/her identity would be kept confidential;  The permission of the respondent has been sought;  All the gender issues were adhered to.

1.7 Data/Information Analysis Plan

The primary unit of analysis of the study was households, with results summarized for the total sample. Data have been analyzed using SPSS. Data analysis took into account the demographic characteristics, status during baseline, and diversification of locations. Quantitative data analysis techniques included univariate analysis, bivariate analysis. Comparative analysis between baseline and graduation assessment (hypothesis testing) and inferential analysis took place to assess the achievements of the program.

The sampling was not designed to compare results by Upazila, but the results by Upazila was presented to have an understanding of the status of participating households after NOBO JATRA interventions.

Qualitative information was analyzed through content analysis. The qualitative information and quantitative data analysis were performed separately, and their findings were synthesized.

1.8 The Response Rates

Out of the 408 households visited during the graduation assessment, 387 households were successfully interviewed (94.9%). Two out of the 21 attired households were the dropped out cases from graduation component of NOBO JATRA DFSA. For the remaining 19 cases, the beneficiaries were away from their homes for different personal/familial purposes and could not be found for interview within the stipulated survey time. HDRC 7 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Chapter 2 FINDINGS FROM GRADUATION ASSESSMENT

The World Vision Bangladesh, within their NOBO JATRA DFSA project, implemented the graduation2 component targeting the ultra-poor3 households. The components of the Ultra Poor graduation component were entrepreneurial literacy, monthly cash transfer, IGA selection and development, productive asset development, participation in savings groups and continuous supervision and mentoring addressed to the women in the households. The duration of the intervention was 24 months.

The accompanying graduation assessment is an attempt to check the status of the households after 24 months upon receiving benefits of the graduation component. This graduation assessment inspected the status based on a pre-selected set of criteria (reported in Chapter 1).

The findings of the graduation assessment presented below are based on the pre-selected set of graduation criteria.

2.1 Criteria 1: Minimum 2 sources of income (essential)

In order to safeguard economically viable livelihood and sustainability of income for the ultra- poor living in the Southern part of Bangladesh, the selected ultra-poor households for NOBO JATRA Project were to ensure at least two sources of income to graduate from extreme poverty as well as from poverty in the long-run. The graduation component had a supportive plan to ensure the minimum number of income sources. The IGA selected by the participant is likely to increase the sources of income for the participating ultra-poor households.

2 According to NOBO JATRA graduation program operation manual, graduation is defined as: The point at which a participant in a Graduation Program is deemed to have satisfied locally determined criteria intended to ensure that he or she can sustain an economically viable livelihood and has lower risk of reverting back into extreme poverty. 3 According to NOBO JATRA graduation program operation manual, ultra poor is defined as those who are living at less than half the $1.90-a-day poverty line, and those who eat below 80% of their energy requirements despite spending at least 80% of their income on food. The majority tends to be landless rural women. They are the most vulnerable, lacking the skills, confidence, and future-orientation needed to lift them to the bottom rung of the economic ladder. HDRC 8 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

The assessment suggests that the FigureFigure 2.1:: Average number ofof incomeincome sourcessources in in average number of income sources households byby upazilaupazila among the participant households is 3.2. Also, a key noticeable fact is that 3.5 3.5 3.2 the proportion of females reporting 2.9 2.6 homemaking as a primary occupation has reduced significantly to 3.5 percent compared to 33.6 percent in the baseline. First difference estimate is found highly statistically significant (p=0.0001). As direct beneficiaries of the NOBO JATRA graduation Dacope Kaliganj Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Total components are women, this study finds a key success regarding female’s contribution to a household’s income. The income reported during the graduation assessment show consistency in the consecutive months considered in the survey. During the survey for the graduation assessment, beneficiaries were asked to report income in three consecutive months prior to the month of the survey.

Group discussions revealed that the IGAs were mostly managed by women who contributed to the increase in income. As most of the women were not directly involved in income generation, prior to NOBO JATRA DFSA, this uplifted the increase in income since the initiation of IGAs. According to the participants, the improvement in HH income initiated as they started receiving compensation for attending the sessions for entrepreneurial literacy. Later the income increased further after they continued the IGA activities. The participants opined that with time their contribution to household income would continue to increase in the long run.

Table 2.1: Distribution of monthly income of the household

Upazila Income level Total Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar ≤ 5,000 BDT 35.7 39.7 17.2 26.7 28.7 5,001 – 10,000 BDT 50.0 39.7 51.6 44.1 45.7 10,001 – 15,000 BDT 5.7 12.1 15.6 24.1 17.6 15,000 – 20,000 BDT 4.3 3.4 7.8 3.6 4.4 > 20,000 BDT 4.3 5.2 7.8 1.5 3.6 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Average monthly income 8,036 8,755 9,193 7,290 7959 Per capita monthly income 2,199 2,868 2,722 2,024 2298 N 70 58 64 195 387

HDRC 9 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

The study finds that the average income of the sample participant households has increased compared to baseline. The average gross monthly income in the participant sample households stands at 7,959 BDT (US$ 94.2) FigureFigure 2.2: Percentage ofof householdhousehold withwith minimumminimum 22 sourcesource of of from graduation income assessment, whereas it was 6,948 BDT (US$ DacopeDacope 100.0 82.2) at the baseline. The estimated per capita KaliganjKaliganj 100.0 income has increased to 2,298 BDT (US$ 27.2), which is 13.8 percent Koyra 100.0 higher compared to the 4 upper poverty line for ShyamnagarShyamnagar 99.0 Khulna rural area. Data suggest that 85.3 percent Total 99.5 of households are now living above the poverty line (i.e., a great success story of NOBO JATRA Graduation Project in reducing ultra poverty).

Though the increase in average monthly household income is only around 1,000 BDT, this is a beneficial boost to their living standards. This benefits the participants in various aspects. This addition to their household income allows some of them to make necessary arrangement for the education of their children or, allows the consumption of additional food items for household members (uncommon fruits and dairy products from) or, reduced the number of days where food security was challenged or, just increased the opportunity of saving.

“Many of us could not afford new clothes during puja (annual religious festival of people who follow Hinduism) a couple of years back, but for the last puja we managed to purchase new clothes for the household members.”

Overall, 99.5 percent of the target households had a minimum of 2 sources of income. All target households (100%) in Dacope, Kaliganj, and 99 percent household in had 2 or more income source.

2.2 Criteria 2: Had 2 full meals a day for the past year (essential)

4Poverty line is created combining food poverty line (expenditure of a bundle of food items necessary to fulfill minimum 2,122 kcal per person per day) and non-food poverty lines (expenditure of other necessary commodities of basic needs). There are two non-food poverty lines: upper non-food poverty line and lower non-food poverty line. Adding expenditure of food poverty line with expenditure of upper non-food poverty line yields upper poverty line. While adding expenditure of food poverty line with expenditure of lower non-food poverty line yields lower poverty line. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics updates the poverty lines to assess poverty status at national level during Household Income and Expenditure Surveys. HDRC 10 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Data suggest that 96.6 percent of sample participant households had 2 main meals a day for the past one year. A higher number of households in Dacope struggled in regard to food shortage. 81.7 percent of households did not report any food shortage in the past year, whereas this was only 14.9 percent in the baseline. Only 2.1 percent household was found suffering from severe food insecurity, whereas it was 13.8 percent in the baseline, implying a significant decrease.

FigureFigure 2.3: Status 2.3: Statusof food of security food security in households in househol (%) dsduring (%) during baseline baseline and graduation and graduation assessment

13.8 Baseline 33.8 37.5 14.9

2.1 GraduationGraduation Assessment 2.9 13.3 81.7

SevereSevere food insecure Mild food food insecureinsecure ModerateModerate food insecure Food secure

In the survey areas, there had been some improvements in variations in daily food consumption pattern among the sample household members. The most common food items in households remained rice and vegetables. In addition, edible oil was frequently consumed as a necessary ingredient in cooking any food. Baseline data found that dairy products, meat and fish were not the commonly consumed food items. The graduation assessment study found that consumption of dairy products, fish, and meat increased among sample households as compared to those in the baseline. It is understood that the income increase, as well as choices of livestock or poultry rearing and fish culture as IGAs by the beneficiaries, played an essential role in such improvement in food diversity.

The participants explained that the food consumption pattern due to the increased income had not changed much. However, the capacity to purchase certain food items (i.e., dairy products and animal protein) has increased. This is evident from the consumption pattern described in Table 2.2. The participants added that the kitchen garden contributed to ensuring food security throughout the year.

Table 2.2: Consumption of selected food items in target households in the past 24 hours (%)

Food items Upazila Total Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Cereals 98.6 82.8 100.0 93.8 94.1 Roots/Tubers 47.1 75.9 57.8 69.2 64.3 Legumes/Pulses 45.7 17.2 40.6 36.9 36.2 HDRC 11 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Food items Upazila Total Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Dairy products 1.4 3.4 6.3 3.6 3.6 Meat (beef, offal, Poultry, mutton) 12.9 6.9 18.8 9.7 11.4 Fish/seafood 68.6 75.9 78.1 79.5 76.7 Oils, fats, butter, Ghee 84.3 37.9 31.3 46.7 49.6 Sugar/honey 5.7 10.3 6.3 2.6 4.9 Fruits 7.1 8.6 6.3 7.2 7.2 Eggs 30.0 17.2 31.3 20.0 23.3 Vegetables 88.6 55.2 71.9 66.7 69.8 N 70 58 64 195 387

Overall, 81.7 percent of the sample households had 2 full meals a day for the past year. Kaliganj was found as the most successful Upazila in regard to ensuring 2 full meals a day for the past year (91.4%) followed by Shyamnagar (83.1%).

FigureFigure 2.4:: PercentagePercentage ofof householdhousehold with with 2 2 full full mealmeal inin aa dayday inin the lastlast yearyear

91.4 83.1 81.7 77.1 73.4

Dacope Koyra Kaliganj Kaliganj Shymnagar Shymnagar Total 2.3 Criteria 3: Household increased productive assets 2 times (essential)

Access to assets or increase assets is a critical factor to the target groups for graduation from extreme poverty. This also affects participation in the labor market and engagement in economic and social exchanges.

HDRC 12 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Data suggest that there has been an FigureFigure 2.5 :2.5 Average: Average number number of productive of productive assets assets owned increase in the ownership of ownedby householdsby households productive assets both in terms of number and the market value of 14.8 those assets (i.e., price*quantity). The average number of productive assets in the participant households from the graduation assessment was 14.8. This is more 6.7 than a two-fold increase as compared to baseline. The aggregated average market value of productive assets from the households’ graduation Baseline GraduationGraduation assessment assessment increased 39.1 percent compared to baseline.

The status of homestead land ownership by participant households did not change. However, access to agricultural land increased. Of the participant households, 14.0 percent reported having access to agricultural land, which was only 3.9 percent at the baseline. The access to water bodies among the sample households reached to 10.9 percent in the graduation assessment from 3.9 percent in the baseline, implying a significant (0.000) improvements in the access to water bodies by the marginalized segment of the population.

A significant increase was also identified in the ownership of FigureFigure 2.6 2.6: Ownership: Ownership of oflivestock livestock and and poultry poultry by by HHs HHs (%) livestock and poultry. This study found that 76.2 percent and 95.6 95.695.6 percent of the sample households owned livestock and 76.276.2 poultry, respectively. The 56.456.4 respective ownerships at the baseline were 19.4 percent and 56.4 percent, respectively. This increase in livestock and poultry 19.419.4 ownership is a possible effect of IGA chosen by the beneficiaries. Data suggest that 75.2 percent livestocklivestock poultrypoultry of the beneficiaries selected at least one type of livestock BaselineBaseline GraduationGraduation assessment assessment rearing as IGA and 68.2 percent of the beneficiaries selected at least one type of poultry rearing.

The inclusion of assets from IGAs by the NOBO JATRA DFSA obviously boosted the increase of productive assets in the participant households. Also, the participants worked hard to increase their income and in the process, increase the number of productive assets. The participants positively responded to purchasing new items for household use alongside saving for the future.

HDRC 13 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Overall, 94.6 percent of target households increased productive assets 2 times compared to baseline. There is not much variation among Upazilas in this regard.

Figure 2.7: Percentage of household increased productive assets 2 times 98.4 94.3 96.6 92.8 94.6

Dacope Koyra Kaliganj Shymnagar Total

2.4 Criteria 4: Households have kitchen gardens (essential)

A kitchen garden is a possible source of additional dietary requirements as well as income in the ultra-poor households. Though Kitchen garden is not a major source of income, it plays a vital role in reducing the direct cost of food purchase from the market.

Findings reveal that overall 83.7 percent participant of NOBO JATRA Graduation component own homestead gardening. This reflects a significant increase compared to the baseline estimate (18.4%). The practice of homestead gardening is most prominent in Dacope. Almost all participant households in Dacope had homestead garden (98.6%). On the other hand, participant households in Shyamnagar had the lowest ownership of such gardening (75.4%).

Figure 2.8: Percentage household having homestead gardening during graduation asessment (%) 98.6 89.7 83.7 87.5 75.4

Total Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Most of the participant households produced various seasonal vegetables in their homestead garden last year as prescribed/advised by the program (overall: 98.5%). Indian Spinach was the most common type of vegetable cultivated by the households (81.2%), followed by Bottle Gourd (76.5%), Gourd (55.9%), Eggplant (28.4%), and Hyacinth bean (25.6%).

Almost all participant households (99.1%) having vegetable garden consumed vegetables produced in their homestead garden. About half of them sold their produced vegetables in HDRC 14 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA the market, implying a strong linkage with the market). Selling tendency was most pronounced in Koyra (78.6%) and the least in Shyamnagar (44.2%).

Table 2.3: Use of homestead garden vegetables

Use of Vegetables in the Upazila Total homestead garden Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Households consumed vegetables (%) 98.6 100 100 98.6 99.1 Household sold vegetables (%) 50.7 50 78.6 44.2 52.5 N 69 52 56 147 324

The participants liked the idea of a kitchen garden in their homestead. They explained that the learning provided by the NOBO JATRA informed them that the small piece of land around the household could be a source of food as well as a small amount of income. Though most of them cannot grow enough vegetable to sell, they are happy that they do not have to buy the produced vegetables from the market. This reduces the monetary food expenditure and/or creates the opportunity of saving or a small improvement in livelihood.

2.5 Criteria 5: Cash savings (essential)

The components of promotional graduation included participation in savings groups which is expected to lead to cash savings. Increase in income also may play a vital role in the practice of saving.

Overall, 88.1 percent of target households have access to formal financial services. During baseline, such access was only 15.9 percent. It is notable that 69.2 percent of target households expressed interest to access formal financial services. This expressed interest has been translated into reality for most of the target households.

Almost all of the target households (99.5%) reported having some savings, whereas it was only 36.5 percent in the baseline. However, the crucial possible change has been reported in the behavioral changes towards savings. All the beneficiaries expressed their keen interest in savings. About 45.2 percent of beneficiaries used their savings to create a new IGA or to expand old IGA (selected by the participant from a list of recommended IGAs by NOBO JATRA) in the last 3 months. This practice was highly pronounced in Dacope (58.6%) followed by Koyra (53.1%), Shyamnagar (41.5%), and Kaliganj (32.8%) respectively.

Figure 2.9: Percentage of household have savings

99.5 99.5 98.4 100.0 100.0

Shyamnagar Koyra Kaliganj Dacope Total HDRC 15 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

The top five IGAs on which respondents used their savings are Goat rearing (40.3%), Local Chicken rearing (11.4%), Duck rearing (10%), Fish culture (8.1%), and Tailoring (7.6%). Most IGAs are associated with livestock or poultry rearing. In Dacope, the use of IGA is less dependent on livestock or poultry rearing compared to other Upazilas.

The key important issue is, nearly half (45.2%) of the participant households are not only practicing saving but also applying their savings to further enhancing income, leading towards their livelihood improvements.

The participants explained that the group (literacy centre) based saving and loan activity contributed to their survival in different difficulties (i.e., health hazards, education emergencies, recovery from small loss in different business activities). The participants added that the amount of saving was flexible, which helped them accumulate savings, and the loan collection mechanism was easy. The participants expressed their interest in continuing the saving and loan activity.

“I suddenly needed a few thousand takas to take my father-in-law to the district hospital but did not have that amount of money at that instance. I approached my savings group for the loan and considering it as an immediate necessity, and the members agreed to loan me the money from the savings. I returned the money in 2 months. The only other option was, I would have to borrow the money at weekly interest and would have to pay a large sum of interest in the 2 months it took me to repay the money.”- A participant in Koyra Upazila

About 45.5 percent of the participant households did not have any outstanding loan. Among the remaining 54.5 percent indebted households, 31.3 percent had to do nothing extraordinary to repay the debt, and 12.9 percent of households could repay their debt using their savings. However, remaining 15.5 percent had to risk their asset (4.4%) or take another loan (11.1%) to repay their debt.

Table 2.4: Existence of outstanding loans and steps taken by households to repay the loan (multiple responses)

Status of having outstanding Upazila Total loan and method of loan Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar repayment Do not have any outstanding loan 40.0 39.7 35.9 52.3 45.5 Could repay a loan without risking 47.1 34.5 39.1 22.1 31.3 asset or taking another loan Use savings 2.9 13.8 9.4 17.4 12.9 Take another loan 7.1 8.6 18.8 10.8 11.1 Sell any productive asset 1.4 1.7 1.6 4.6 3.1 Sell any household asset 2.9 1.7 3.1 0.0 1.3

2.6 Criteria 6: Use of a sanitary latrine and safe drinking water (essential)

Access to safe water and the sanitary latrine is essential for improved livelihood. The graduation approach provided knowledge and motivational activity towards the use of safe water and sanitary latrine. HDRC 16 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

The types of latrines have been categorized into two: I) Improved latrines which are sanitary latrines5, and II) Unimproved latrines which are not sanitary6. The assessment reveals that the majority of households (85.2%) have access to sanitary latrines, while 14.8 percent are currently using an unimproved latrine. The use of sanitary latrines has increased significantly (0.0001) since baseline (74.5%). It is to mention here that the highest proportion of households (92.2%) having this facility is in the Upazila of Koyra.

Figure 2.11: Types of latrines used by the target households (%) 10.4 7.8 20.0 16.4 14.8

89.6 92.2 80.0 83.6 85.2

Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Total Improved Latrine Unimproved Latrine

Most of the households (98.1%) have available water sources of safe drinking water which have increased 11.3 percentage point since baseline. More than one-third of the households (37.7%) have rainwater harvesting system which is proportionally higher than any other safe drinking water sources like Pond Sand Filters (PSF (21.1%), Protected well (0.8%), Tube Well (18.9%), deep tube-well (17.1%), and bottled water (2.6%). It is noteworthy that a small part of the households (3.1%) in Shyamnagar Upazila is still using unprotected well as a source of drinking water which may not be safe.

Table 2.5: Distribution of the household by access to safe drinking water (%)

Upazila Source of water Total Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Deep tube-well 2.9 31 34.4 12.3 17.1 Tube Well 24.3 13.8 31.3 14.4 18.9 Pond Sand Filters (PSF) 22.9 41.4 1.6 21.0 21.2 Rainwater harvesting 48.6 1.7 32.8 46.2 37.7 Protected well 0.0 1.7 0.0 1.0 0.8 Bottled water 1.4 10.3 0.0 1.5 2.6 Others 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 Unprotected well 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.1 1.6 N 70 58 64 195 387

5 Improved Latrines: The type of improved latrine includes Pit latrine with ventilator, Pit latrine with slab, Composting toilet which are considered as sanitary. 6Unimproved Latrines: The type of unimproved latrine includes Pit latrine without slab, hanging latrine, No facility/Bush/Field which are not considered as sanitary. HDRC 17 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Availability of soap and water is a part of access to a safe sanitation facility. The target households were inspected on the availability of water and soap to wash hands after using latrines. It was observed that 71.1 percent of households had available soap and water for handwashing after use of latrine. Also, the majority of the target households responded that they washed their hands with soap and water.

The participants explained that they had been informed of the possible risks of using an unimproved latrine, and most of them intend to use an improved latrine. However, the natural disaster demolishes the latrines every now and then as the superstructures of the latrines are not very strong. They also added that the households living by the bank of river commonly use the unimproved latrine. The participants urged on the necessity of arranging safe water and sanitation after a disaster.

Overall, 83.5 percent of target households qualified on use of a sanitary latrine and safe drinking water. The qualification on this criterion is profoundly affected by access to sanitary latrine as nearly all of the households had access to safe water.

Figure 2.12: Percentage of households with access to safe drinking water and sanitary latrine

92.2 89.7 80.0 80.0 83.5

Dacope Koyra Kaliganj Shymnagar Total

2.7 Criteria 7: Practicing knowledge in the disaster preparedness activities (essential)

Learning about disaster preparedness was part of entrepreneurial literacy7. As almost all of the target beneficiaries received monthly compensation allowance, they are expected to know about disaster preparedness. All the beneficiaries reported having knowledge about the actions which should be followed at the time of natural disaster. All were asked, based on recall, to articulate the measures to follow as part of disaster preparedness. Most of the respondents (94.3%) have answered: “Go to the Shelter” followed by “store clean and dry food” (82.7%), “ensure the safety of livestock/productive assets” (62.8%) and “learn about danger signs of disaster” (35.7%).

7 Entrepreneur literacy had a total of thirty sessions and the duration of each session was two hours. Nine months long entrepreneur literacy was provided. HDRC 18 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Table 2.6: Distribution of the household by knowledge on actions for disaster preparedness (Multiple responses)

Knowledge on disaster Upazila Total preparedness Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Learn about the danger signs of disaster 15.7 34.5 50 38.5 35.7 Go to safe shelter 98.6 98.3 93.8 91.8 94.3 Ensure safety of livestock/productive 78.6 69 40.6 62.6 62.8 assets Keep clean water and dry food 95.7 100 60.9 80.0 82.7 N 70 58 64 195 387 Households could recall at least two 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 disaster preparedness activity

In order to assess the experience of how the household members had used their knowledge at the disaster, their actions during a disaster were asked. The responses suggest that the households usually are well prepared for a disaster, and most of them would take necessary actions as per their knowledge (if affected by a disaster).

HDRC 19 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Table 2.7: Most common actions undertaken by households when affected by disasters (%)

Actions are undertaken during a Upazila Total disaster Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Took shelter during disaster 86.8 85.7 95.1 87.0 88.0 Store dry food and clean water 98.5 82.6 100.0 93.1 93.8 Ensured safety of productive assets 79.5 88.9 87.5 96.3 91.2

The participants explained that they are familiar with different disasters every few or a couple of years, and this is a part of their life. They are aware of what steps to be taken to minimize the losses during a disaster, but any amount of planned effort is not enough to make sure that there will be no monetary or asset loss by a natural disaster. Although they are now hopeful that their savings will create support to cope up but the truth is that saving is unlikely to be adequate for all the participants (since all participants live in close vicinity, it is likely that all or most of the participants will be affected by a natural disaster). The participants suggested that if all savings and credit groups are part of one large entity, the part who are affected during a disaster could have been supported by those who were not affected.

Overall, all households qualified on practicing knowledge on disaster management as all households could recall at least 2 activities for disaster preparedness (Table 2.6).

Figure 2.13: Percentage of households with knowledge on disaster preparedness 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

DacopeKaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Total

2.8 Criteria 8: No child marriage in the household (Conditional)

Marriage took place in about 8.3 percent of participant households in the last 2 years. Two female child marriage incidences (1 in Kaliganj & 1 in Koyra) occurred in this time period. Figure 2.14 reveals that majority of the respondents have the right knowledge about the minimum age of marriage for boys and girls which is 21 years and 18 years consecutively according to Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017 (Act No. 6 of 2017) of Bangladesh8. However, they have more accurate knowledge about the minimum years of age of marriage for girls than that for boys. Overall, 96.6 percent of beneficiaries have the right knowledge on the minimum age of a girl’s marriage, while about 87.3 percent have the right knowledge on the

8 Retrieved from https://mowca.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/mowca.portal.gov.bd/page/3ca4856e_153b_49e0_824c_0f18 acc272f1/Child%20Marriage%20Restraint%20Act,%202017.pdf (accessed on 15 December 2019) HDRC 20 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA minimum age of a boy’s marriage. Furthermore, about 86.3 percent of beneficiaries have the right knowledge on both boy’s and girl’s minimum age of marriage. There is no much variation between the areas regarding this issue.

The baseline survey suggested that nearly 10 percent of the females within the target households were aged between 14-17 years and were at risk of early marriage. The baseline survey identified 10 cases of early marriage (2 years preceding the survey) while the graduation assessment identified only 2 instances.

Figure 2.14: Distribution of beneficiaries according to knowledge of respondent about minimum age of marriage for boys and girls (in %)

98.6 100 95.4 95.4 96.6 88.691.4 88.6 91.4 85.9 86.2 87.3 82.8 85.1 86.3

For girls at least 18 years For boys at least 21 years For girls at least 18 years and for boys at least 21 years

Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Total

The participants strongly mentioned that early marriage is an incidence for the girls, not boys. They added that most of the parents marry their girls at an early age due to social pressure and the possible amount of dowry they have to pay (the higher the age of a girl, the higher the amount of dowry has to be paid). The possibility of a girl getting married early increases if she is a good looking one. The women in society have learned to earn, participate in the family issue, but if there is a mismatch in understanding, most cases the male partner is the one who makes the final decision. In many instances, the parents, as well as the girl, is aware of the harmful effects of early marriage, but the social stigma trumps all knowledge. Finally, the participants expressed a light of hope that the amount of early marriage is decreasing, though very slowly but decreasing.

2.9 Criteria 9: School-aged children are going to school (Conditional)

About 55.8 percent of surveyed households had children aged between 6-14 years. Children in most of the households (94.4%) were continuing school during the survey (Figure 2.15). Those who were not continuing school primarily mentioned “lack of interest to continue school by parent/guardian”, “high cost of education”, and “involved in income-earning” as reasons for not continuing school. Few of them mentioned “Lack of interest to continue school by 6-16 year aged member” as a reason.

HDRC 21 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Figure 2.15: Distribution of households with school going children who are continuing school 97.3 95.1 96.4 94.4 81.5

Dacope Kaliganj Koyra Shyamnagar Total

The participants mentioned that they want their children to attend school, but they think that their children will not be able to compete with children having parents with formal education who can guide them or those who are financially privileged. In many instances, schooling/education is not continued after grade V, VIII, or X.

2.10 Criteria 10: Eligible couples adopt family planning method (Conditional)

About 79.1 percent of target households had eligible couples in the household with wife in the age group of 15-49 years. Majority of them reported using modern contraceptive method pill (79.9%) followed by condom (12.7%), injectable (8.7%), and implant (8.3%). There is not much variation among Upazila regarding this issue. However, in Koyra, the condom is more prominently used than in other areas while in Dacope implant is more prominently used. About one-fourth of the households reportedly use condoms in Koyra and the same proportion use implant in Dacope.

Figure 2.16: Distribution of household according to FP method used by couples in the household (%)

84.2 83.8 76.5 79.9 68.2

24.3 25.0 14.7 12.7 11.4 10.8 9.1 9.6 10.8 8.7 8.3 8.8 2.2 5.9 2.6 2.3 2.9 1.8 2.3 0.4 Pill Condom Injectable Implant Tubectomy Other

Dakope Kaliganj Koyra Syamnagar Total

HDRC 22 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

2.11 Conclusion

The overall graduation assessment has been made based on the essential criteria (as explained in the methodology section). Table 2.8 summarizes the graduation qualification scenario by each criterion. Data suggests that most of the households qualified the Graduation Criteria 7 (Practicing knowledge in the disaster preparedness activities) followed by Criteria 1 (Minimum 2 sources of income) and criteria 5 (Cash savings). The increase in income sources and cash savings are complementary to each other as an increase in income sources may lead to an increase in income, possibly resulting in cash savings. The increase in productive assets is also connected to an increase in income and saving. The graduation assessment already identified that the savings have been used to expand and/or to initiate new income-generating activities which most likely has contributed to higher income generation and livelihood improvement.

Having a kitchen garden may contribute to food security as more than 99 percent of household with kitchen gardens reported food consumption from kitchen gardens. Hence, having a kitchen garden influences food consumption of households. Using sanitary latrine is a part of behavior change which needs some support of financial capacity. The target households already had increased income as well as assets, so there is a necessity of improvement of motivation towards using a sanitary latrine.

Table 2.8: Percentage of households by their qualification in different graduation criteria

Upazila Graduation Criteria (essential) Total Dacope Koyra Kaliganj Shyamnagar Criteria 1: Minimum 2 sources of 100.0 100.0 100.0 99.0 99.5 income Criteria 2: Had 2 full meals in a day in 77.1 73.4 91.4 83.1 81.7 the last year Criteria 3: Household increased 94.3 98.4 96.6 92.8 94.6 productive assets 2 times Criteria 4: Households have kitchen 98.6 90.6 94.8 85.6 90.2 gardens Criteria 5: Cash savings (includes formal 100.0 98.4 100.0 99.5 99.5 as well as informal saving) Criteria 6: Use of a sanitary latrine and 80.0 92.2 89.7 80.0 83.5 safe drinking water Criteria 7: Practicing knowledge in the 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 disaster preparedness activities N 70 64 58 195 387

Hence, following the graduation assessment criteria (detailed in the methodology section), it is assessed that 91.5 percent of the target (ultra-poor) households have graduated. The most successful Upazila in this regard is Kaliganj, where 96.6 percent of households have graduated.

Table 2.9: Percentage distribution of graduation score by Upazila

Status of qualification based Upazila Total on graduation criteria Dacope Koyra Kaliganj Shyamnagar Qualified in all graduation criteria 58.6 62.5 77.6 52.8 59.2 HDRC 23 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Qualified in 5 or more graduation 100.0 98.4 98.3 97.4 98.2 criteria Qualified in 6 or more graduation 91.5 92.2 96.6 89.7 91.5 criteria n 70 64 58 195 387

Figure 2.17 : Percentage of households graduated

Dacope 91.5

Koyra 92.2

Kaliganj 96.6

Shymnagar 89.7

Total 91.5

The NOBO JATRA DFSA included a number of intercorrelated interventions to lift the participating ultra-poor households from the abyss of poverty. Literacy training enabled them to learn and realize the possibility of upliftment from the vicious circle of poverty. The IGAs initiated and continued by the participants contributed to the household income and additional income contributed to improvement in overall livelihood as well as savings. The savings and credit group was a success, according to the participants. It was independently run by the NOBO JATRA DFSA participants. The participants are adequately capacitated to continue such activity, and they expressed keen interest in continuing the savings and credit group. Hence, these groups are expected to sustain actively. The participants were registered with mobile financial services creating the opportunity to more accessible financial services. In addition, kitchen gardens enhance the food security of the households while reducing food expenditure. This is also considered a good practice by the participants.

In summary , the savings and credit group and kitchen garden are likely to sustain, contributing to resilience, household income, nutrition, and food security. Mobile financial services will ensure the participant’s access to financial services. HDRC 1 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Annex 1: Comparative Analysis of Graduation Assessment Criteria Compared to Baseline Status

End line Baseline

Indicator CI CI Estimat St. CI CI Estimate St. dev. z-statistic p-value upper lower e dev. upper lower Criteria 1: Minimum 2 sources of income 0.995 0.0718 1.002 0.988 0.9485 0.2212 0.970 0.927 3.914 0.0001 Criteria 2: Had 2 full meals in a day in the last year 0.817 0.3875 0.856 0.778 0.7745 0.4184 0.815 0.734 1.484 0.1389 Criteria 3: Household increased productive assets 2 0.946 0.2268 0.969 0.923 ------times Value of household productive assets 144,810 163,489 161,099 128,521 67,076 77,747 74,620 59,532 8.4875 <0.00001 Criteria 4: Households have kitchen gardens 0.902 0.2980 0.932 0.872 0.1838 0.3878 0.221 0.146 20.289 <0.00001 Criteria 5: Cash savings (includes formal as well as 0.995 0.0718 1.002 0.988 0.3652 0.4821 0.412 0.318 18.902 <0.00001 informal saving) Criteria 6: Use of a sanitary latrine and safe drinking 0.835 0.3720 0.872 0.798 0.6422 0.4800 0.689 0.596 6.165 <0.00001 water Criteria 7: Practicing knowledge in the disaster 1.000 0.0000 1.000 1.000 0.7402 0.4391 0.783 0.698 17.459 <0.00001 preparedness activities HDRC 1 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Annex 2: Draft Scorecard for the graduation assessment

HDRC 2 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code Criteria 1: Minimum 2 sources of income 1.1 What are the different income sources? Primary Income Secondary Income source source The participant HH member 2 HH member 3 HH member 4 HH member 5 HH member 6 HH member 7 HH member 8 HH member 9 HH member 10 Farmer 1 Cobbler/Shoemaker 19 Livestock and poultry farming 37 Agricultural day laborer 2 Barber/Hairdresser 20 Wood business 38 Earthwork 3 Tailor 21 Agrovet shop 39 Blacksmith 4 Electrician 22 Fish business 40 Potter 5 Plumber 23 Dairy business 41 Boatman/Trawler driver 6 Carpenter 24 Tea stall (with Betel leaf and 42 Cigarette) Water selling 7 Mason 25 Catching crabs 43 Fishing Worker 8 Fisherman 26 Hawker 44 Sweeper 9 Midwife 27 Washing/Laundry business 45 Government service 10 Mawal 28 Religious leaders (Imam/ 46 Purohit/Vikku/Pries/ etc.) Private sector service 11 Bawal 29 Housewife 47 NGOs worker 12 Village doctor 30 Students 48 Domestic worker 13 Veterinary/Animal breeder 31 Apprentice 49 (Artificial Insemination) Road transport 14 Repairman (Appliances) 32 Beggar 66 worker/Helper Construction worker 15 Private tutor 33 Child 77 Factory worker 16 Driver (Bus/Truck/Jeep) 34 Can not work due to 88 physical/mental inabilities Motorcycle driver 17 Traditional Healer 35 Can not work due to older age 99 Baidya/Kabiraj Rickshaw/Van driver 18 Handicrafts 36 Others (please specify...)

1.2 What was the HH Month 1 income in the last 3 Month 2 months? Month 3 1.3 Did your Yes 01 household use cash No 02 grant to increase income? 1.4 What are the IGAs IGA 1: ______you chose through IGA 2: ______NOBO JATRA? 1.5 What improvement Stating Self- Present Profit/sale took place in the amount/ deposit amount since initiation IGA selected for number number NOBO JATRA? IGA 1 IGA 2

HDRC 3 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code

Sl. IGA name Sl. IGA name 1 Goat rearing 29 Cosmetic Business 2 Sheep rearing 30 Oil Business (Family use only) 3 Pig rearing 31 Nut Business 4 Goat rearing 32 Jhal-Muri Business 5 Local Chicken rearing 33 Ferry Business 6 Poultry rearing (Cock, Sonali, 34 Shoe/Sandle business Turkey) 7 Duck rearing 35 Coating and quilt business 8 Pigeon rearing 36 Animal feed business 9 Quel rearing 37 Bhangari Business 10 Fish Culture 38 Egg business 11 Watermelon Cultivation 39 Packets making business 12 Homestead gardening 40 Black Smith Business 13 Vegetable Cultivation 41 Wash product business 14 Vegetable retailing 42 Decoration business 15 Fish retailing 43 Tailoring 16 Fingerlings retailing 44 Food Processor 17 Spice retailing 45 Handicraft 18 Rice bran/Polish retailing 46 Bamboo and Cane craft 19 Coconut/Green Coconut retailing 47 Tea Stall 20 Treacle (Gur) Retailing 48 Grocery Shop 21 Battle Leaf/Nut retailing 49 Landry shop 22 Bamboo retailing 50 Salon shop 23 Snacks Selling 51 Van pulling 24 Fruits selling 52 Batik and fancy work 25 Sacks selling 53 Selling of drinking water 26 Furniture making and selling 54 Rope making business 27 Cycle repairing and parts selling 55 Electric Business 28 Meat Selling 56 Vermicomposting

Criteria 2: Had 2 full meals in the last year

1.6 Did you eat 2 main Yes 01 meals in the last 24 No 02 hours? 1.7 In the past year, No 01 was there ever no Rarely (1-2 times) 02 food to eat of any Sometimes (3-10 times) 03 kind in your house Often (more than 10 times) 04 because of a lack of resources to get food? 1.8 In the last 24 Cereals (rice, noodles, bread) 01 hours did you eat Roots/Tubers (cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes, 02 the following plantains) food items Legumes/Pulses (beans, peas, groundnuts, 03 (following cashews) FANTA III): Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese) 04 Meat (beef, offal, Poultry, mutton) 05 HDRC 4 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code Fish/seafood 06 Oils, fats, butter, Ghee 07 Sugar/honey 08 Fruits (with banana) 09 Eggs 10 Vegetables 11 Others (spices, sodas. etc.) 12 Criteria 3: Household increased productive assets 2 times SI. Type of Asset Amount/ Market Unit Number ce (taka) 1 2 3 4 Land Ownership Homestead 1 In owned land/ inherited land Decimal 2 In others’ land Decimal 3 Khas land Decimal Total Agricultural land 4 In one’s own land/ inherited land (rented out/leased Decimal out/mortgaged out) 5 In others’ land Decimal 6 Khas land Decimal 7 Agricultural land (rended in/leased in/mortgaged in) Decimal Total aquarian land (pond/ditch/gher/nursery pond) 8 In owned land(rented out/leased in//mortgaged out) Decimal 9 In others’ land Decimal 10 Khas land Decimal 11 Aquarian land(rented in/leased in/mortgaged in) Decimal 12 Fallow land under one’s own ownership Decimal Tree (Fruits and Wood) 13 Tree (currently saleable wood/large tree)/ Bamboo/Bush Number Non-farming Productive Assets 14 Traditional boat(Dingi) Number 15 Rickshaw/Van Number 16 Auto Rickshaw (including three-wheeler with locally developed Number technologies) 17 Motorcycle Number 18 Cycle Number 19 Sewing Machine Number 20 Mobile Phone Number 21 Television Number 22 Electric fan Number Agricultural Tools 23 Plough Number 24 Ladder Number 25 Sickle Number 26 Cleaver Number 27 Axe Number 28 Iron bar Number 29 Spade Number 30 Hoe Number 31 Fishing net Number 32 Trap for catching crab Number 33 Sugarcane crushing machine Number 34 Bee Colony (Box) Number Livestock 35 Cow Number 36 Ox/Bullock Number HDRC 5 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code 37 Buffalo Number 38 Calves Number 39 Goats (all types) Number 40 Sheeps (all types) Number 41 Pigs Number 42 Leased in Cows/Oxen/Buffaloes Number 43 Leased in Goats/Sheeps/Pigs Number Poultry/Birds 44 Cock and Hen Number 45 Goose Number 46 Duck Number 47 Pigeon Number 48 Quail Number 49 Turkey Number 50 Chick, duckling, squab Number Other ProductiveAssets 51 Others (please specify...) Number 52 Others (please specify...) Number 53 Others (please specify...) Number 54 Others (please specify...) Number 55 Others (please specify...) Number

Criteria 4: Households have kitchen gardens 1.9 Do you have a homestead garden Yes 01 for your family’s use? No 02 1.10 Do you produce a seasonal variety of Yes 01 vegetable in your garden as No 02 prescribed/ advised by the programme? (last year) 1.11 Type of vegetable Bottle Gourd 01 cultivated Eggplant 02 (multiple Red amaranth 03 responses) Indian Spinach (Puishak) 04 Tomato 05 Spinach 06 Hyacinth Bean (Sheem) 07 Snake Gourd (Chichinga)/ Luffa (Dhundol) 08 1.12 Do you sell vegetable from Yes 01 your garden? No 02 1.13 Earning from selling vegetable

(last year) in taka 1.14 Did you consume vegetable Yes 01 from your vegetable garden? No 02 1.14 How many months did you

consume vegetable from your garden last year? Criteria 5: Cash savings in an active savings account with a formal financial institution 1.15 Do you currently access any Yes 01 financial services? No 02 1.16 Do you plan to access any financial Yes 01 services in future? No 02 Yes 01 HDRC 6 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code 1.17 Do you believe access to finance will No 02 help you grow your IGA bigger and stronger? 1.18 In the last 3 months did you have Take another loan 01 to do any of the following to repay a Sell any productive asset 02 debt? (multiple responses) Sell any household asset 03 Use your savings 04 1.19 Do you practice saving? Yes 01 No (go to 1.19) 02 1.20 Where do you save? VSLA 01 (multiple responses possible) NGO 02 Bank 03 Mobile Banking 04 Other 1.21 Do you want to continue your Yes 01 current savings practice in future? No 02 1.22 Do you want to join any savings Yes 01 group in future No 02 1.23 Where would you like to save? VSLA 01 NGO 02 Bank 03 Mobile Banking 04 Other 1.24 In the last 3 months, did you use Yes 01 savings in creating a new IGA or to No 02 expanding an old IGA? 1.25 How much saving did

you use? (in BDT) 1.26 What kind of IGA you ______used your saving for? Sl. IGA name Sl. IGA name 1 Goat rearing 29 Cosmetic Business 2 Sheep rearing 30 Oil Business (Family use only) 3 Pig rearing 31 Nut Business 4 Goat rearing 32 Jhal-Muri Business 5 Local Chicken rearing 33 Ferry Business 6 Poultry rearing (Cock, Sonali, Turkey) 34 Shoe/Sandle business 7 Duck rearing 35 Coating and quilt business 8 Pigeon rearing 36 Animal feed business 9 Quel rearing 37 Bhangari Business 10 Fish Culture 38 Egg business 11 Watermelon Cultivation 39 Packets making business 12 Homestead gardening 40 Black Smith Business 13 Vegetable Cultivation 41 Wash product business 14 Vegetable retailing 42 Decoration business 15 Fish retailing 43 Tailoring 16 Fingerlings retailing 44 Food Processor 17 Spice retailing 45 Handicraft 18 Rice bran/Polish retailing 46 Bamboo and Cane craft 19 Coconut/Green Coconut retailing 47 Tea Stall HDRC 7 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code 20 Treacle (Gur) Retailing 48 Grocery Shop 21 Battle Leaf/Nut retailing 49 Landry shop 22 Bamboo retailing 50 Salon shop 23 Snacks Selling 51 Van pulling 24 Fruits selling 52 Batik and fancy work 25 Sacks selling 53 Selling of drinking water 26 Furniture making and selling 54 Rope making business 27 Cycle repairing and parts selling 55 Electric Business 28 Meat Selling 56 Vermicomposting

Criteria 6: Use of a sanitary latrine and safe drinking water 1.27 What kind of Pit latrine with ventilator 01 latrine does your Pit latrine with slab 02 household use? Composting toilet 03 Pit latrine without a slab 04 Bucket toilet 05 Hanging latrine 06 No facility/Bush/Field 07 Others ……………………. 1.28 Does your household Yes 01 share the latrine with No 02 other households? 1.29 What is your plan about Continue the same kind 01 continuing the use of upgrade the latrine 02 latrine? Others ……………………. 1.30 How do you wash hand With water only 01 after defecation? With soap and water 02 With ash/mud and water 03 1.31 What was the main source Deep Tube Well 01 of drinking water? Tube Well 02 Protected Well (High edge made by 03 cement with cover) Unprotected Well 04 Pond Sand Filters (PSF)/Collecting water 05 through cards Rainwater harvesting 06 Others ……………………. 1.32 Is drinking water available from that Yes 01 source round the year? No 02 1.33 Soap and water available for Yes 01 handwashing after using latrine? No 02 (observe) Criteria 7: Practicing knowledge in the disaster preparedness activities 1.34 Do you know of the Yes 01 perpetration for a No 02 disaster? 1.35 What are they? Learn about the danger signs of disaster 01 Go to safe shelter 02 (multiple response) Ensure the safety of livestock/productive 03 (unprompted) assets Keep clean water and dry food 04 HDRC 8 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code 1.36 Were you able to follow Yes 01 the disaster plan during No 02 the last disaster (FONI in Not affected by disaster May 2019)

1.37 Do you know where to Yes 01 take shelter during a No 02 disaster 1.38 Did you take shelter Yes 01 during the last disaster No 02 (FONI in May 2019) Not affected by disaster 03 1.39 Do you store dry food for Yes 01 disaster management? No 02 1.40 What kind of food did you Flattened rice (Chira) store for disaster? Puffed Rice (Muri) Biskit Water Other …………………….. 1.41 Could you ensure the Yes 01 safety of your productive No 02 assets (Livestock, poultry, and others) during the last disaster (FONI in May 2019) 1.42 What measure did you Took livestock/poultry to shelter centre take to keep your Kept livestock/poultry to other safety livestock safe during a Others disaster 1.43 What measure did you Not affected by disaster 01 take to recover from the Used savings 02 effects of disaster? Sold household asset 03 (multiple responses Took loan 04 possible) Received support from GoB/NGO 05 Sold work in advance Other ______Criteria 8: No child marriage in the household 1.44 Did any marriage take place in this Yes 01 household in the last 2 years? No 02 1.45 What is the sex of the youngest Male 01 person married who got married in Female 02 the last 2 years? 1.46 What is the age of the youngest Years

person married who got married in the last 2 years? (if any marriage took place below minimum age: -2; if not: 1) 1.47 What is the minimum age of Years

marriage for a girl? (Score: if the answer is 18: 0.5) HDRC 9 Report on Graduation Assessment of NOBO JATRA

Draft Score Card for Graduation Assessment Question Response Code 1.48 What is the minimum age of Years

marriage for a boy? (Score: if the answer is 21: 0.5) Criteria 9: School-aged children are going to school 1.49 Are there 5-16 year aged member Yes 01 in the household? No 02 1.50 How many 5-16 year aged member in the household? 1.51 Are all of them continuing school? Yes 01 No 02 1.52 How many of them are continuing school? 1.53 Why are they not The high cost of education 01 continuing Bad performance at school 02 school? Lack of interest to continue school by 6-16 year 03 aged member Lack of interest to continue school by 04 parent/guardian Involved in income earning 05 Others ……………………. Criteria 10: Eligible couples adopt family planning method 1.54 Is there any couple in the Yes 01 household with 15-49 No 02 aged wife? 1.55 Are all such couple using Yes 01 modern family planning No 02 method? 1.56 What type of family Pill 01 planning method is used Condom 02 among such couple in the Injectable 03 household? IUD 04 Implant 05 (multiple response possible) Tubectomy 06 Vasectomy 07 Other ………………………. 1.57 Can the couples access Yes 01 family planning methods No 02 regularly? 1.58 Where do you receive Pharmacy the necessary Community clinic support/service for family Union Health and Family Planning Center planning? Upazila health complex A home visit by family planning worker NGO Other ______1.59 Who decides about the Husband 01 family planning method to Wife 02 be used? Jointly 03