Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Agriculture is a major source of livelihood in many Asian countries. World Bank Development Report 2008 shows that the share of non-agricultural income in rural areas is high in South East Asian countries with Indonesia and Vietnam having 57%. The share of self employed in non-agriculture is the highest in Vietnam and Indonesia. Many Asian economies have adapted actions like livelihood diversification programs and integrated livelihood generation programs. These are generally an extension of development policy that tries to eradicate structural causes of poverty and food insecurity. Social protection programmes are also important for reducing risks faced by households due to climate change. Bangladesh, Nepal, and India are instrumental in launching programs like food for work, public work, and employment guarantee schemes for poor rural households while Sri Lanka, China, and Philippines are strengthening their rural livelihood programs using information and communication technologies. This paper analyzes efficacy of prominent rural livelihood programs by congregating evidences from select Asian economies. The effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and equity of the impacts of these rural livelihood policies, strategies, and interventions were assessed from the workings and implementation of the policies and strategies, to provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable, and useful. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through desktop review of relevant policy documents, policy implementation process, project documents, and progress reports. Information thus generated was synthesized to identify key issues to provide concrete recommendations for elaboration and revision of relevant policies.