JIBIKA PROJECT PRESENTATION-march 10th 2020

JIBIKA
BY
RESEARCH
EVALUATION
PROJECT
PRESENTATION
&
DATA (RED)
DEPARTMENT
pg. 1

THE CONTENT
PG. 3-4
About Bangladesh/ Overview of Satkhira & Jhinaidha
PG. 5-6
About Jibika Project/ Goals
PG. 7-8
Aim of the Project & Selection Process
PG. 9
Methodology of the selection Process & Four Estimated Results
PG. 11
Revolving Fund management
PG. 12
Challenges & Gaps
PG. 13
Good Practice
PG. 14
Lesson Learned from Vegetable & Crab Business
PG. 15-17
Reflection of the Project Activities
Case Study
PG. 18-19
Recommendations & References
pg. 2

About Bangladesh:
FIGURE 1
Bangladesh is a large, densely populated country in South Asia. The population is estimated to be 164.69 million
in 2020, up from an estimated 156.5 million in 2013. Bangladesh is therefore the 8th most populous country in
the world.1 although there is a recent estimate of the population as a whole, there are no concrete and current
statistics on disability in Bangladesh. Disability rates are reported in different ways. The 1981, 1991, 2001, SVRS
2009 and 2010 national censuses conducted by BBS reported prevalence rates between 0.47% and 1.18%. The
2011 census identified 1.4% of the population as disabled2 compared to the previous ESCAP report, which
showed 9% disability. The HIES survey shows a prevalence rate of disability of about 1.40%, while the WHO has
a disability prevalence of 31.9%. The most recent disability survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Welfare in
2014-2015 reported 1.8 million or 1.2 percent of people with disabilities. These statistics show that a large
number of people with disabilities are residents of Bangladesh. By holding a group of people aside, no nation will
hit the height of success. As a result, some governmental organizations have concentrated on the employment
status of persons with disabilities in their studies in order to understand the current occupational situation of this
large neglected population in Bangladesh.
A study conducted by BBS in 2015 revealed that the percentage of disabled persons who were unemployed was
significantly higher than the percentage of normal persons who were unemployed. 3 Conversely, the percentage
of disabled persons who were either employed or engaged in household work was significantly less than in the
case of normal individuals indicating that disability hindered access to employment and ability to work. The survey
data revealed marked differences in the proportion of males having ‘some’ or ‘severe’ disability in their access
to income-generating activities as compared their female counterparts. Disabled males were much more likely to
work as compared to disabled females. 3 In order to establish more flexible and responsive delivery mechanisms
that better service the needs of labor markets, individuals and the community at large, and to improve the quality
and relevance of skills development and access to skills development for various groups of citizens including
women and people with disabilities, skills development policy was formulated in 2011 (PLEASE CHECK THE
REFERENCES FOR THIS IN THE LAST PAGE) as a guideline for skill development strategies and facilitates
improved coordination of all elements of skills training and the parties involved. 4 Along with this, “Persons with
pg. 3

Disabilities Rights and Protection Act” in 2013 calls government to arrange and provide disabled friendly services,
facilities and amenities for improving standard of living of person with disabilities. Preserving 10 % job quota in
public sector and 1% job quota in Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) for person with disabilities presents the
reflection of this Act. Despite such efforts, Bangladesh is still far behind from touching its success about
employment status of person with disabilities.
In order to strengthen government support and meet national and international commitments, several NGOs and
INGOs work collaboratively to enhance the employment status of the people with disabilities. The Disabled
Rehabilitation & Research Association (DRRA) is an NGO that has been implementing its Country Program called
the Promotion of the Protection and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for their Empowerment (PRIDE) in
support of the Liliane Fonds (LF) for the last few years. The main objective of the Country Program is to enable
people with disabilities to have access to services and to develop their rights. In 2018, 30% of the target people
with disabilities and their families would have an ongoing contribution to the social security and livelihood
scheme. As part of its Country Programme, DRRA, with financial assistance from the Liliane Fonds (LF), has
initiated a 24-month initiative, called' Joint Initiatives for Income, Employment & Knowledge Action for the
Disabled (JIBIKA)' since 1 April 2017. The goal of this project was to create opportunities for people with
disabilities to lead a dignified and meaningful life and to have access to livelihoods.
OVERVIEW OF SATKHIRA & JHENAIDAH DISTRICT:
“AGRICULTURE IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME
FOR 67% OF THE POPULATION OF THE DISTRICTS
OF SATKHIRA AND JHENAIDAH.”
The average monthly household income is about TK. 5160 ($60.89) in those regions. 99 per cent of the households
in Jhenaidah Sadar earn 10,000 (ten thousand) taka or less per month and, conversely, about 96 per cent of the
household income in the Assasuni region is less than 10,000 (ten thousand) taka. According to the vulnerability survey
of the DRRA, 50 per cent of families of people with disabilities are in high vulnerability circumstances. In fact, there
is an average of 23 kilometers to travel for health services and an average of 2, 72 kilometers to travel for drinking
water for the people of the Assasuni region. Results also showed that 4 individuals are dependent on the income of
the individual at the target location. Ultimately, the maximum number of people in the Jhenaidah Sadar and Assasuni
regions is about 80 per cent and 70 per cent consecutively illiterate.
pg. 4

About Jibika Project:
FIGURE-2
JIBIKA (Joint initiatives for Business, Income & Knowledge Action for Disabled) project is an initiative of DRRA and
with the support of Liliane Fonds (LF) it initiated to create and access livelihood opportunities for persons with
disabilities, so that they can lead a dignified and qualityful life in the society. The project has been designed for 2
years (April-2017 to March-2019) and implemented in 5 unions/wards of 2 Upazila and a municipality of 2 districts
namely Jhenaidah and Satkhira.
Figure -3 District wise project coverage area
The project was implemented in partnership with the Local Partner Organizations (LPOs) namely AID Foundation (AID) and
Institute of Development Education for Advancement of Landless (IDEAL). During the project period, total 80 persons with
disabilities directly was involved in organic vegetable cultivation and crab farming-fattening by the support of the project. In
addition, the 80 right holders were also involved in the marketing of their products for ensuring sustainable livelihood. Conversely,
400 family members of the persons with disabilities were also indirectly benefited from the support of the project. In addition,
1000 persons with disabilities of LF Network member were also benefited for implementation of the project.
pg. 5

The overall objective of the project was to rehabilitate 80 Persons with Disabilities in subsistence activities by involving them in
organic vegetable cultivation and crab farming-fattening and its marketing process by 2018. The project proposal included 4
estimated results:
Result 1: Result 2: Result 3: Result 4:
80 person with
disabilities organized &
formed 8 Self Help
Groups to create
livelihood opportunities
through sustainable
farming
Person with
disabilities and their
family member’s
knowledge and skill in
making organic
compost and crab
fattening increased
Marketing capacity of
the person with
disabilities increased
and their access in the
market established
80 person with disabilities and
their family members
empowered in the family and
society through their own
business
FIGURE-4
GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
Goal:
Overall Objective:
Short Term Objectives:
Long Term Objectives:
To Create and access livelihood opportunities for the people with
disabilities in order to lead a dignified and quality life;
To rehabilitate 80 PWDs in livelihood activities through involving them
in organic vegetable cultivation and crab farming-fattening and its
marketing process by 2018.
1. To create income opportunities for persons
with disabilities through organic vegetable
cultivation and crab farming by Self Help
Groups of Person with Disabilities;
2. To enhance the skill of people with disabilities
on vermi- composting and crab farmingfattening
techniques;
3. To increase capacity of person with disabilities
on marketing and develop market linkages;
4. To generate economic cycle of persons with
disabilities and their families through
mainstreaming fish farming and marketing
opportunities
1. To make persons with disabilities economically
empowered in their family and the community
through mainstreaming agro farming and
marketing opportunities;
2. To make persons with disabilities as population
of workforce through developing technical
knowledge and skill;
3. To create a built in development model for
self-employment of persons with disabilities
through improving their potentials;
pg. 6

Aim of the Project:
FIGURE-5
The main aim of JIBIKA project was to create and access to livelihood opportunities of the people with disabilities to lead a dignified
and quality life.
SELECTION PROCESS:
1. Selection of participants was the first and foremost step in this regards. A total of 80 participants in both districts (40
participants in each district) were selected after carrying out physical and psychological assessment of them. The entire
participants were categorized in two sectors such as:
a. Crab culture and fattening, and
b. Vegetable cultivation and vermi-composting.
In considering the climate condition, marketing facilities and availability of resources, participants of Sathkhira were
chosen for crab culture and fattening training and vegetable cultivation and vermi-composting was taught to Jhenaidah
participants.
2. After selection of participants and coverage area, training about this program was not administered in a straight way. In
order to buildup team building behaviors and effective coordination among selected person with disabilities, project
would arrange monthly co- ordination meeting at a regular basis. In these meetings, there was an urge among almost all
pg. 7

the participants to establish a group where they can easily share and exchange their skills and experiences easily and
without any trouble. As a consequence, around 10 SHG based on their geographical area was formed in two districts.
3. Planning sessions were organized by the SHGs through invitation of representative of SPO and PO. In the planning sessions,
SHG members were identified their needs, problems and available resources towards crab farming and vegetable
cultivation. Two separate trainings about vegetable and crab were conducted in two districts after having all the identified
problems and needs of SHG. These trainings were lasted for 2 days long. These trainings were an attempt to enhance
person with disabilities’ level of knowledge and skills in order to prepare them a successful entrepreneur. As a result of
the training, all of the SHG members not only initiated their dream business plan but also successfully continuing their
businesses.
4. In order to implement the business plan, it was mandate to know the price, processing and marketing of the goods. In this
regards, respective area’s PO had made linkage with SGHs to local government officials, and different market professionals
through whom they became known about the recent price, market potentiality, opportunity and risk factors for vegetable
cultivation and crab farming. In addition, an organic vegetable fair was organized at Kalicharanpur Union Parished
premises in Jhenaidah district which let many government officials and community people knew about the livelihood
activities of SHG.As a result of different meetings and the organic vegetable fair, government service providers have begun
proving technical guidance and trainings to SGH members regarding agricultural technologies and crab cultural activities
A tremendous achievement has been noticed among participants of Jhenaidah along with right holders of Sathkhira
district. Almost all the SHG member in Jhenaidah has made profit from the vegetable cultivation.
Above all, all the participants’ self-esteem and confidence has been increased because they are now assuming themselves as an
entrepreneur. A very similar scenario has also been seen among the participants of Sathkhira district. After receiving skill
development training the SHG members initiated their crab and organic vegetable business to generate economic cycle of persons
with disabilities and their families.
pg. 8

METHODOLOGY OF THE SELECTION
PROCESS IN GRAPH:
FOR THE EVALUATION OF JIBIKA PROJECT, 2 REFLECTION WORKSHOPS WERE ORGANIZED IN BOTH PROJECT
LOCATIONS ALONG WITH THE RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS.
FIGURE-6
pg. 9

pg. 10
FIGURE-7

Revolving Fund management:
FIGURE-8
To ensure the successful implementation of the initial capital as a revolving fund for the direct right holders of the JIBIKA initiative,
DRRA signed with MoUs partner organizations that implemented it. Implementation partner organizations also entered into
agreements with SHGs to provide their account with revolving funds and to make best use of it. Fund disbursements to the SHG
with repayment condition but no service charge or interest was included in the reflections workshop and document reviews
disclosed in that regard.
Each SGH group opens a single bank account to receive the fund and administer the revolving fund. Implementing partner
organizations visit the field regularly to ensure the group members are successful in carrying out the IGA activities. Before proving
the fund they also get access to the financial needs of SHG leaders and members. It was also the duty of implementing partner
organizations to refund the principal amount from the leaders of the SHG members. In addition, DRRA also provides financial
information to the implementing partners. Participants disclosed in reflective workshops that all family-based business groups
(SHG) fully returned their principal amount to the implementing partners but 3 community-based business group (SHG) could not
yet fully repay the principal amount to the partners.
pg. 11

Challenges & Gaps:
During the reflection workshop the major challenge discovered was the scatter residential position of
SHG members. SHG leaders of Satkhira faced challenges to make profit in group -based business due to
the dispersed housing position and inaccessible roads condition. Therefore, individuals who lived near
the pond is responsible for most of the crab cultivation activities; other members played supervisory
roles. As a result, committed workers demotivate to work within the organization a s the job distribution
was not fair according to them. On the other hand, in Satkhira, the loan amount also distributed equally
among SHG members as a result invested equal amount to the pond that at last anticipated in equal
amount of profit ignoring the impact of labor. There was a lack of technical human resources (livelihood
expert) at project sites. Limited budget and timeline are the two major constraints that have impacted
on the execution of the project, especially given the nature of the project.
It was suggested that the lack of time and funds resulted in more challenges:
Training course was short in duration
Shortage of basic course
Climate change was an issue as well as such, impacts on crab culture and new diseases for
that is also needed in future
Lack of knowledge to identify quality seeds
pg. 12

Good Practices:
2 Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) have been established at 2 different implementing locations. The DPOs
are now raising their voice to ensure the rights of all persons with disabilities in the locality and achievements
are also acknowledged by government and civil society.
The project has benefited from a successful relationship between people with disabilities, local government
authority, agricultural office, fisheries office and business actors that has benefitted from the project. This
positive relationship has eventually increased accessibility and acceptance to business agents, technical know -
how, local government services, and support and services for agriculture. Local government officials are now
encouraging people with disabilities to get their traditional support and services.
Organic vegetable fair has developed as a specific branding strategy for vegetable products. The branding
strategy is appreciated by all stakeholders in government and non-government sector. Organizing the vegetable
fair; raising awareness among community people about eating organic vegetables, and sharing the benefits of
eating organic vegetables with mass people.
Representatives of SHG viewed income generation as a role model for other people with disabilities in the loc
ality. Theare representatives are expanding their company fields to ensure a balanced economic cycle. Innovat
ion which the SGHleaders have provided in terms of sustainability in cultivation.
Figure 9: Linkage and advocacy through meeting and vegetable fair is being established
pg. 13

Lesson Learned:
From Vegetable Business
Lesson 1: The project had a relatively short timeframe
while the scope of the project was very big;
Lesson 2: Project needs to develop with a
contingency plan and budget to recover livelihood
risks in case of a natural disaster;
Lesson 3: The loan amount is comparatively low for
ensuring sustainable livelihoods;
Lesson 4: Capacity-building initiatives were relatively
short term in nature and lack of refreshers in the
project.
Lesson 5:Need to increase the numbers of vegetable
fairs and linkage with other government stakeholders
to access existing services;
Lesson 6: Arranging seminars could be a branding
strategy.
From Crab Business
Lesson 1: Need to disburse the loan in the month of
January as this is mainly the contract period to lease
a pond or land. But the project lately disburses the
loan due to the late of receiving government
approval. Project administration needs at least 3
months to receive government approval.
Lesson 2: Need adaptive behavior and use of
technology in regards to climate change effects and
disasters.
Lesson 3: Family members of persons with
disabilities in training sessions could be more
effective;
Lesson 4: Group savings can be introduced to tackle
the emergency;
Lesson 5: Age limits in livelihood programs seem like
a barrier for organizing the closer community group;
Lesson 6: Inclusive group in a combination of
persons with and without disabilities can be more
efficient to generate a large amount of profit;
Lesson 7: Need to collect members of SHG within a
village;
Lesson 8: Capacity-building initiatives were relatively short
term in nature and lack of refreshers in the project. Need an
inclusive training module for all.
FIGURE-10
pg. 14

Reflection of the Project
Activities:
:
FIGURE-11
JIBIKA project’s activities are usually centered over the development of person with disabilities occupational life. While
at least a bit positive changed is noticed among beneficiaries’ life, it is considered as the reflection of project’s activities.
Collection of case story is a form of non- indicator monitoring and evaluation method based on project objectives make
involvement of many actors related to project for collection and selection of stories where both negative and positive
change to be documented.
In order to understand the depth of positive changes occurred in person with disabilities life, following case stories are
given below:
pg. 15

Case Study:
“Now, Sumaiya not only
takes care of her family
but also gives training to
local farmers about
vegetable cultivation”
“ Suruj Miah was selected
as a member of SHG of
JIBIKA Project in 2017 for
cultivation of organic
vegetables and since
than he never had to look
back.”
The economic condition of Suruj Miah's family was
very poor. His mother fell down during the seventh
month and his disability according to his mother
came as a result of this accident. Suruj, however,
was born normal without any complications. Yet
his parents soon discovered that his two legs were
inward facing. As a result, he faced many
challenges ranging from physical barriers to social
ones. However, he was able to complete his
primary and secondary education, thanks to his
supportive parents. Now he is furthering his
college studies. He had a vision that he will take a
decent job after completing his education, so that
he can contribute his family financially. However,
this positivity has not came overnight. This project
was financial support by DRRA. Due to this, he
received different types of training on how to
cultivate organic vegetables and has started
cultivating vegetables on his own land. Therefore,
now he is financially stable and very happy seeing
himself, where has reached.
pg. 16
Sumaiya Sulatna is a young, lively girl, who lives
with her parents in Jenaidhah district. She
completed her higher secondary education
despite having a physical disability. She used to
give kids tuition for extra cash because of
financial instability, but that wasn't even
enough to meet the family needs. Gradually she
grew unhappy with her life and became
hopeless. It was then that she came to meet
with a representative of the AID foundation and
through him came to know about DRRA's JIBIKA
project and immediately joined the project as a
member of the SHG in 2017.
She began implementing it in her own land
after the training on vegetable cultivation.
She'd never had to look back since then. Due to
JIBIKA project of DRRA, she is living a dignified
life now.

“Anisur, a young man with physical disabilities, is now considered one of a
prosperous crab fattening farmer in his locality. “
Anisur Rahman, began his journey in Sathkhira district in 2017
with formal training and a JIBIKA project loan. So far he has won
roughly TK. For this farm, 32,000. He is no longer financially
dependable on others. It took him a lot of hard work and
dedication to accomplish this though.
He started his training on the crab fattening process after being
chosen as the right holders. Despite having passion, experience
and property, due to lack of capital he was unable to initiate the
process of crab fattening. He went to a lot of places for a loan
but none was secure enough to give him the loan because of his
physical condition. Instead he went to the loan project at JIBIKA.
Not only did the project gave him the loan but the interest on
the debt-money was also waived. He is currently living a lifetime
in which he never again has to ask for any more loans in the
future.
FIGURE-10
“Shohel produced 50 kg of vermi-compost in the 1st cycle, and increased
production to 200 kg in the 2nd cycle. “
Shohel Rana is a 22-year-old gifted young man. Around
at he age of 2 year he was paralyzed from one leg
because of high fever. Now he can walk using his knee
because of the operation. He finished his secondary
schooling and is now doing his college years. He
produces vermin-compost in his property, in addition
to studying. He is very happy with the outcome and the
community seeing his commitment is also very
supportive of him now.
These changes occurred after joining as a member of
the SHG. As part of the JIBIKA initiative, AID Foundation
included him as a member for organic vegetable
production. In October 2017 he received an inclusive
training from the AID Foundation on organic vegetable
cultivation. During this training, Rana became
financially secure and with the technical assistance
from the JIBIKA project continued to work on
preparing vermi-compost. He is very grateful for
project JIBIKA and DRRA.
pg. 17

Recommendations:
:
Several recommendations were shared with the participants of reflection workshop to intensify the project
achievements. The project can be referred and replicate in likewise context areas for the development of
disadvantage people. The main recommendations were -
1. Increase the age limit up to 40 years as it’s the livelihood program;
2. Keep the contingency plan and budget to tackle down the natural disaster;
3. Family-based business can be promoted by including family members in capacity building programs;
4. Increase the loan amount to minimum $ 236 per person and disb urse the load according to the need and
capacity;
5. disburses the loan amount in the month of January;
6. Own contribution along with loan amount can be fruitful to create more ownership;
7. Continuous training is referred to instead of 1 -time training;
8. Increase the project timeline minimum of 5 years to establish the business;
9. Increase lobby, advocacy and linkage programs with relevant stakeholders;
10. organized at least 4 vegetable fairs in a year for branding and awareness;
11. Evaluate the farmer’s achievement and arrange encouraging gifts;
12. Create group fund for tacking emergencies and expanding business;
13. Increase branding by arranging seminars.
pg. 18

REFERENCES
1Bangladesh development update: building on resilience. (2018). [online] Available at:
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/904861523286370425/pdf/125061 -WP- PUBLIC-Bangladesh-
Development-Update-April-2018.pdf [Accessed 29 Aug. 2018].
1World Bank. (2018). Overview. [Online] Available at:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/bangladesh/overview [Accessed 30 Nov. 2018].
1Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016
1 Access to Mainstream Health Services for the Persons with Disabilities in Bangladesh
(2015)
1Livelihood Concerning policies and status of persons with disabilities.
Figure-1-IMAGE credit-application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.Xml.
(http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@asia/@ro -bangkok/@ilodhaka/documents/publication/wcms_113958.pdf)
pg. 19

THANK YOU
The Person with disabilities have hidden abilities
Disabled Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA)
Head Office Address
House-2/5, Road-01, Shamoly,
Dhaka-1207. Bangladesh.
Phone: 02-9140162, Fax: 9124057.
Mobile: 01197-015854.
Website-http://www.drrabd.org
pg. 20