RURAL BANGLADESH - PreventionWeb

Annex: Focus Group Discussion Topical Outline
-Methods of storage of water, Water Treatment procedure, Costs of water and use pattern
-Prevalence of arsenic in the water supply.
-If arsenic is a problem, how does village cope with this problem? Any ways to get
rid of the arsenic?
-Trends in access to water over the past 5 years? Any changes?
Describe the changes.
4. Climate
-Any erratic rains over last decade, flash floods, major floods, cyclones?
-How does the village cope with disasters?
-Any activities to protect village and households from disasters?
Describe protection activities.
-Trends/changes over the past 5-10 years?
-Any major environmental problems? What are the effects?
B. River Erosion: Extent of causes & seasonality?
E. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
1. Union / Village leadership
Are there women members? Do they participate in meetings & events?
Accomplishments – If none, why?
2. What are the usual ways of solving problems?
3. Self-help groups
Types (advocacy, marketing, community improvement, credit
Women’s groups – activities, accomplishments
4. Other organizations? (NGOs, CBOs)
5. Do you feel you are well represented? (Please probe / explain)
6. What are the major causes of disputes or conflicts in the community?
Types of conflicts
What are the causes & consequences of the disputes?
7. How do you solve social problems?
II LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES: All major livelihood activities
A. Agriculture – Crop Production
1. Amount & sufficient arable land nearby?
2. Major crops grown in order of importance
(food crops for domestic consumption / for sale as cash crops)
By land type/quality
3. Access to agriculture inputs
Sources & availability of seeds (local seeds / hybrid seeds)
Fertilizer use: Sources & extent of use (manure, compost, chemical)?
When & which crops use fertilizer
Pest Control: Cultural, mechanical, biological, chemical?
Animal traction: Use, own or rent, cost, availability?
Irrigation: Regular or irregular, source of irrigation, methods of irrigation
Which crops are irrigated?
Who has access to inputs; who has no access?
4. Access to government services
Types of services: Credit, extension?
Agricultural extension: Access & quality
Access to credit facilities (formal/informal, terms of repayment, specify NGO, Government,
moneylender, dadan system)
Type of credit, quality, usefulness, frequency of use
5. Crop/Food Storage
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