The Role of Micro Finance to Alleviate Rural Poverty of Bangladesh: Ektee Bari Ektee Khamar Project & Palli Sanchoy Bank (One House One Farm & Rural Savings Bank)

Fatema Khatun, Nahidul Islam

Abstract

This study tries to explore the role of Microfinance in alleviating rural poverty as well as the effects of Microfinance in increasing standard of living of rural poor of Bangladesh. In recent decades poverty alleviation has become an important part of global challenges, specifically in the developing country like Bangladesh. The objective of the study is to reveal the role of Microfinance programs of ‘Ektee Bari Ektee Khamar Project & Palli Sanchoy Bank’ in poverty alleviation of rural poor of Bangladesh. This is an exploratory study where quantitative approach has been followed. To reach out the research objectives survey method has been applied here for collecting data and information from the members of three Samitees of Tokerbazar union and the personnel of Sylhet Sadar Upazila Branch of the EBEK Project where respondents were interviewed through following a structured questionnaire. Simple Random Sampling is used for selecting respondents from the members of the Samitees and Purposive Sampling is used for Personnel of the project. As most of the rural people are illiterate and their economic condition is worst as well as their earnings are insufficient for nurturing the family, they have no any savings. Considering this issues, the GoB has inaugurated EBEK project in the rural areas to alleviate rural poverty of Bangladesh by means of different Microfinance programs. But after launching, it is facing many constraints in the path of its progress. But it is believed if these constraints of the project can be eradicated; the members of the Samitees can alter their poor economic condition and can lead a peaceful and poverty free life.

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