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Contribution of Food for Work Program to Food Security of Selected Workers in Kapasia Upazila Under Gazipur of Bangladesh

Shifat Sultana
Training and Communication Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh

Md. Safiul Islam Afrad
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh

Foyez Ahmed Prodhan
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The main focus of the study was to determine the food security status of the women involved in food for work program in terms of access to food (meals/day/person) and intake of energy (kilo calorie) and to explore the relationship between some selected characteristics of the beneficiaries with the changes in food security. The study was conducted in Kapasia upazila of Gazipur district during July 2013 to September 2013. Data were collected through pre-tested interview schedule. One hundred and ten women were selected following simple random sampling method. All of the family members of the respondents used to take three-meals/day when Food for Work Program (FFW) program was ongoing. More than four-fifth (84.55%) of the household members received optimum to above optimum kcal/day when FFW was running, but only three-fifth (60.90%) of the respondents’ family members took optimum to above optimum kcal/day when FFW program did not run. “Optimum level” and “above optimum level” calorie in taking family members increased by 12.73 percent and 10.91 percent, respectively when FFW program was running. The difference between per capita calorie intake by the respondents and their family members when FFW program was and was not running was found significant. Correlation analyses showed that annual income and credit facility had positive and significant relationship with contribution of FFW program on changes in food security status of the beneficiaries.

Keywords: Contribution, Food for work program, Food security

Location: Kapasia upazila, Gazipur district

Start Date: 00-07-2013

End Date: 00-09-2013

Program Area: Food Safety and Security

Non-commodity: Data collection and collation, Employement

Objectives:

Identify the socio economic characteristics of the respondents;
Determine the food security status of the women involved in food for work program in terms of access to food (meals/day/person) and consumption of energy (calorie); and
Explore the relationship between some selected characteristics of the beneficiaries with the changes in food security status of the same.

Methodology:

The study was conducted during July 2013 to September 2013 in Kapasia upazila under Gazipur district where Food for Work program for the selected women is going on. All of the 165 women involved in the Food for Work program was the target population of the study. Of them, 110 women were selected as sample of this study using simple random sampling technique and which was 66.6 percent of the population. In order to stockpile pertinent information, an interview schedule was prepared carefully keeping the objectives of the research in view. Data were collected through face to face interview. Food security was measured on the basis of food consumption, access to food and calorie intake. The food consumption of the respondents was measured on the basis of their food needed for a month. The respondents were directly asked to mention the amount of food consumed per day along with the other members of her household. Access to food was measured on the basis of ability of meals/day by each of the family members. The respondents were directly asked to mention whether they were able to have three meals/day, two meals/day and one meal/day over a period (i.e., month). Scores assigned were: 01 for taking 01 meal per day, 2 for 2 meals per day and 3 for 3 meals per day. To calculate the calorie values of the major foods item, a table of nutrient composition of Bangladeshi foods were used. Statistical measures like number, range, percent, mean, standard deviation and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), and paired-t test analysis were used both for data evaluation and hypotheses testing by using SPSS program. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was employed as the qualitative data collection method to triangulate the findings with quantitative data.

Source of Information: The Agriculturists 12(2): 83-90 (2014) ISSN 2304-7321 (Online), ISSN 1729-5211 (Print), A Scientific Journal of Krishi Foundation

Article Link (Online Journal): http://banglajol.info/index.php/AGRIC/article/view/21735/14941

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that all the family members of the respondents used to take three-meals/day when FFW program runs. The difference between per capita calorie intake by the respondents and their family members when FFW program runs and when FFW program does not run was found significant. More than four-fifth of household members received “optimum to above optimum” kcal/day when FFW program runs, whereas when FFW program does not runs three-fifth of the respondents’ family members took “optimum” to “above optimum” kcal/day. Qualitative findings indicate that the food security status of the participants have been changed highly because they get regular monthly wage during the running of FFW program activities. Major problems identified by the FGD members were no medical facilities, mental harassment due to irresponsibility of supervisor and short time working opportunity in the program. Thus, to increase the food security and socio-economic aspects of the beneficiaries, food/cash provided for the FFW program should be increased to ensure optimum level of calorie intake by the household members of the beneficiaries. There should also be provision for medical facilities in case of emergency and timely supervisory inspection by the supervisors and extension of the program for longer time.

Knowledge Management: Journal