Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 30, No.1, 2014

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1 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 30, No.1, 2014 EFFECTS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC INTERVENTIONS MADE BY SUNGI DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION ON THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF DISTRICT BATTAGRAM (A case study of three selected villages) NAVEED AFSAR 1, SHAFI MUHAMMAD MALIK 1, ZAFAR MEHMOOD 2 and MUHAMMAD IDREES 3 1 Institute of Development Studies, The University of Agriculture Peshawar - Pakistan. 2 Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar - Pakistan. 3 Department of Agricultural Extension & Education, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. *Corresponding Author: naveedafsar1@yahoo.com ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to examine the effects of Sungi Development Foundation (SDF) interventions on the socioeconomic conditions of rural community in district Battagram. Three villages namely Biari, Pokal and Karg of tehsil Allai included universe of the study. There were a total of 1777 households in these selected villages. A total number of 90 respondents (5% of the households) were purposively chosen for the study. The respondents were interviewed by face to face dialogue through pre-tested interview schedule. The obtained results from the study revealed that SDF played a key role in the overall development and improvement the socio-economic conditions of the local community. The study findings show that significant awareness about the importance of physical infrastructure was created by the SDF among the local communities by involving them in the planning, decision making, implementation, monitoring and financial contribution in the infrastructure related development interventions in the area. The study further revealed that there was significant improvement in converting kacha roads to mettaled one, non forest land to forested one. Orchard/nursery plantation was also improved. The potable water supply did not improve through SDF's interventions because of the availability of natural spring water and the people in the area mostly use spring water for drinking and other home consumption purposes. The study as a whole concludes that SDF brought community and financial change in the life standard of the community via enhancing income, hygienic as well as transparent conditions in the vicinity of Alai. The study recommends for amplification of community participation, creation of awareness, increasing the duration and intensity of different training programs for community, more plantation and sheep/goat rearing for income generating activities and overall well being in the area. Key words: Effects, Socio-economic interventions, Sungi Development Foundation (SDF), Pakistan. Citation: Afsar. N., S. M. Malik., Z. Mehmood and M. Idrees Effects of socio-economic interventions made by sungi development foundation on the rural community of district Battagram. Sarhad J. Agric. 30(1): INTRODUCTION Many development economists suggest that small enterprises increase income level of the community, whilst other researchers recommend that effective intervention can create new opportunities for the rural community. There are three kinds of activities that can cause positive change in the life of rural community. The first kind is at the formation of community platform including village committees etc, the second kind is the line departments, whilst the third kind is hip-hop of the households. Through social mobilization, community conflict on different issues can be reduced. Higher interventions can easily create awareness which lead to true democracy (Iqbal, 1995). Seventy five percent of the world's deprived population be alive as well as work in the rural areas on less award per a day. So far, the first round of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS), the mechanism of World Bank to make planning for mitigation poverty as well as provide resources for some countries, which has been failed. Transportation helps decrease human scarcity by in a straight line increasing approaches to health in addition to educational services due to which they will get safety from natural disaster and will get good hygienic conditions. Community productive infrastructure schemes can reduce time and increase income sources especially for agricultural activities (PAI, 1998). In Pakistan, beside government, different development organizations are actively involved in the developmental activities in the rural areas. These NGOs like AKRSP, BRSP, NRSP, SRSP, IUCN, ASD, CUP, SABAA, SUNGI, SCI etc. are working for the betterment of community at the grassroots level (Israr et al., 2009). Sungi Development Foundation was emerged in 1989 as a right based development organization with mission to bring about policy and institutional level changes through the involvement of deprived and marginalized people, so that an enabling environment may be created for the people in which they can transform their lives on the ways of sustainable development. For this purpose Sungi is working in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as well as

2 Naveed Afsar, et al. Effects of socio-economic interventions made by sungi development foundation 128 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) with despoil segments of the society with its rights based development approach (Ayaz, 2002). Sungi, with its strengths of rights based approach and disaster management activities joined consortium of Partnership for Recovery and Development of Allai (PRDA) in January In PRDA, Sungi has to contribute environment and livelihood support activities. Keeping in view the grass root level experiences of Sungi in sustainable livelihoods, Sungi choose this sector and implemented the project activities based on its past experiences. Sungi believe that sustainability/durability of the development is possible only through the participatory way and proactive involvement of the target communities in the whole development process. For ensuring the participation of deprived segments of the communities in the process of planning, implementation and objectively utilization of funds, Sungi organize and capacitate the people at village, union council, tehsil and district levels. Sungi ensures the equal participation of both men and women in the development of the area and thus social organization and development planning process is done for both men and women. On October 8th, 2005, an influential earthquake hit Allai causing high level of damage to infrastructure and livelihood of the people. But after the tragic earthquake incident several national and international Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) started work for the re-construction and rehabilitation to the earthquake affecters. SDF is one of them which also worked for the development of the socio-economic condition of the people (Sungi Annual Report, 2007). Ganesan and Parvathi (1991) concluded that during past 40 years several models of rural development have been tested in India, for improving the socio- economic conditions of the disadvantaged groups concerning animal production, agricultural practices, home gardening and participatory extension programs. It is concluded that community participation can strengthen these efforts efficiently. The study recommends participatory approach for development and interventions for rural development projects. Minhas (1992) conducted a study that when inhabitants of an area are satisfied with employment opportunities, physical, social, cultural services and other facilities available to them, they may be said to have a high level of satisfaction with their community. The study investigated the community satisfaction (CS) held by male and female rural youth aged years in three villages of District Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 250 young people (148 male; 102 female) were questioned from the village of Mullanpur, Dhotian and Sidhuan. The majority of young men and women were found to have a low level of CS, and wanted to migrate elsewhere hoping for improved educational, medical and consumer services, as well as employment opportunities. The young men and women present results of an analysis of the links between levels of CS and factors such as education, marital status and intention to leave the community as expressed. The study recommends that there is vital need to improve the socio-economic infrastructure of rural areas. A number of studies have been conducted regarding different socio-economic aspects of the rural and urban population in Pakistan. As majority (67%) of the Pakistan population is living in the rural area, this sector of society lacks the basic facilities of life. Different government agencies and NGOs (non-government organizations) are working to improve the social and economic conditions of the population. In this regard, the case study of SDF was designed to assess the effects of its different interventions on the socio-economic conditions in rural areas of district Battagram. MATERIALS AND METHODS The whole village community of the three selected villages of Tehsil Allai constituted the population for this study. The whole residents of Tehsil Allai are persons with households (Sungi Annual Report, 2007). Due to time limitation and financial constraint, it was impossible to select all the households. As a result, a purposive selected sample of 5% from all the three selected villages was chosen. Therefore, the whole sample size attain to 90, which was dispersed quantitatively amongst the three chosen villages like 40 (44%) respondents from Biari and 25 (28%) each from Pokal and Karg area. The data was analyzed in Microsoft Excel Program, 2007 and SPSS to achieve the descriptive analysis as well Chi square was applied to see the association and difference between the observed and tabulated value. The study used cross sectional survey research design. Three villages, i.e. Biari, Pokal and Karg of union council Biari were randomly selected. The cause of randomly selection was the SDF's interventions in this particular area for the last seven years. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Condition of Roads Before and After Sungi Communication of Allai with other parts of the tract need huge road facility which originate uplifting in social as well as economic conditions of the local people. Sungi has taken part in this connection by building of kacha and mattaled roads. Perception of respondents in this regard is presented in Table-1. Before the project in Biari, out of total 40 respondents, 80% of the sample respondents reported for kacha road, 10% of the sample respondents for metalated road, while 10% of the sample respondents narrated for non availability of road. In Pokal, out of total 25 respondents, 88% of the sample respondents reported for kacha road, 8% of the sample respondents

3 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 30, No.1, for metalated road, while 4% of the sample respondents rendered for non availability of road. In Karg, out of total 25 respondents, 80% respondents reported for kacha road, 12% respondents for metalated road, while 8% of the sample respondents answered for no road. After the project in Biari, 80% of the sample respondents reported for metalated road, 15% for kacha road, while 5% of the sample respondents narrated for non availability of road. In village Pokal, 88% of the sample respondents reported for metalated road, 8% of the sample respondents for kacha road, while 4% of the sample respondents reported for non availability of road. Likewise in village Karg, 92% of the sample respondents reported for metalated road, while 4% of the sample respondents answered for kacha road. None availability of the road is reported by 4% of the sample respondents in this village. The data show that out of total 90 respondents, 82% of the sample respondents reported for kacha road, 10% of the sample respondents for metalated road, while 8% of the sample respondents replied for non availability of road before the project. After the project, 86% of the sample respondents reported that metalated road was built, 10% of the sample respondents said that kacha road was made and 4% of the sample respondents answered that no road was constructed in the area. Table 1. Condition of Roads Before and After Sungi Condition of Roads No Before Road After Kacha Road Before After Metalated Road Before After Chi Square= Chi square was applied to see the association and difference between the observed and tabulated value and conclude that the overall road infrastructure were improved due to SDF interventions in the area. The total chi square value was The P-value=0.000 indicates that the results are highly significant and there is a strong effect of road condition on the respondents of the study area. The income level of the people increased, time and money saved and easement in communication was availed to the local people. These results are earlier confirmed by Williams and Gargett (1995) who reported that standard living conditions results by improving health care, rural roads and community infrastructure development. Rawat et al. (1997) also suggested that the transportation facility play a key role in the enhancement of socio-economic upliftment of remote areas. Availability of Drinking Water Before and After Sungi Table-2 reveals that in village Biari, out of total 40 respondents, 60% of the sample respondents were having potable water. Irrigation water was available to 30% of the sample respondents, while 10% of the sample respondents were ignored from these facilities before the project. In village Pokal, out of total 25 respondents, 64% were having potable water and 24% were having irrigation water, while water facility was not available to 12% of the sample respondents before the project. In village Karg, out of total 25 respondents, 72% were having potable water, 20% were having irrigation water, while 8% respondents were not facilitated with water before the project. The data further reveal that 55% were having potable water, 30% were irrigation water and 15% respondents were having no water in village Biari after the project. In Pokal, 60% were having potable water and 20% were irrigation water. Water facility was not available to 20% of the sample respondents after the project. In village Karg, 68% of the sample was having potable water and 16% of the sample respondents were having irrigation water, while 16% of the sample respondents were not facilitated with water after the project. Table 2. Availability of Drinking Water Before and After Sungi

4 Naveed Afsar, et al. Effects of socio-economic interventions made by sungi development foundation 130 Availability of water Potable water Irrigation water No water Chi Square= Before After Before After Before After It is evident from the data that majority (64%) of the sample respondents were having potable water and 26% were having irrigation water before the project and Sungi adaptation for drinking water in the area was baseless. The total chi square value was The P-value=0.000 indicates that the results are highly significant and there is a strong effect of water availability condition on the respondents of the study area so we conclude that availability of drinking water was not enhanced with the interventions of Sungi in the area. The reason is that the study area is mound; there is sufficient water available to the respondents for drinking as well as for irrigation. Forestry Plantation Forestry plantation plays an important role in the socio-economic conditions of the people which renovate the environmental factors and improve the income level of the sample respondents. Table-3 show that 15% of the sample respondents in Biari, 12% in Pokal and 8% in Karg reported for forestry plantation in the area before the SDF interventions. Improvement in plantation by local community was reported by 20%, 16% and 12% of the sample respondents in Biari, Pokal and Karg, respectively before the project. No plantation in the area was reported by 65%, 72% and 80% of the sample respondents in Biari, Pokal and Karg, respectively. After the interventions of Sungi, 55% of the sample respondents in Biari, 64% in Pokal and 72% in Karg reported for forestry plantation. Improvement in plantation by local community was reported by 30%, 24% and 24% of the sample respondents in Biari, Pokal and Karg, respectively after the project. Fifteen percent of the sample respondents in Biari, 12% in Pokal and 4% in Karg reported that no plantation was fulfilled by project in the area. Table 3. Forestry Plantation Before and After Sungi Forestry plantation Forestry plantation Before After Improvement in Before plantation After No plantation Before After Chi Square= In general, forestry plantation and improvement in plantation was reported by 12% and 17% of the sample respondents, while 71% of the sample respondents reported that there was no plantation in the area before the project. After SDF interventions, forestry plantation and improvement in plantation was reported by 62% and 27% of the sample respondents, respectively. Eleven percent respondents reported that there was no plantation in the area after the project. The total chi square value was The P-value=0.000 indicates that the results are highly significant and there is a strong effect of forestry plantation on the respondents of the study area so we conclude that forestry plantation was improved due to SDF interventions in the area. Orchard/Nursery Plantation

5 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 30, No.1, Orchard/nursery plantation is also a crucial factor for the improvement of socio-economic conditions of the local community. Table-4 reveal that 15% of the sample respondents in Biari, 8% in Pokal and 4% in Karg reported for orchard/nursery plantation on large scale before the project. Orchard/nursery plantation on small scale was reported by 15%, 8% and 12% of the sample respondents in Biari, Pokal and Karg, respectively before the project. No plantation in the area was reported by 70%, 84% and 84% respondents in Biari, Pokal and Karg, respectively. After the project interventions, 70% of the sample respondents in Biari, 72% in Pokal and 68% in Karg reported that orchard/nursery plantation was performed on large scale. Plantation on small scale was reported as 25% in Biari, 24% in Pokal and 20% in Karg by the sample respondents. Five percent respondents in Biari, 4% in Pokal and 12% in Karg answered for no plantation by the project in the area. Table 4. Orchard/Nursery Plantation Before and After Sungi Orchard/nursery plantation On large scale Before After On small scale Before After No plantation Before After Chi Square= As a whole, orchard/nursery plantation on large scale and small scale was reported by 10% and 12% of the sample respondents, respectively while 78% of the sample respondents reported that there was no plantation in the area before the project. After the interventions of the project, orchard/nursery plantation on large scale and small scale was reported by 70% and 23% respondents, respectively. Seven percent respondents reported that there was no plantation in the area after the project. The total chi square value was The P-value=0.000 indicates that the results are highly significant and there is a strong effect of orchard/nursery plantation on the respondents of the study area so we conclude that there was significant difference between the two means and orchard/nursery plantation was improved with SDF interventions in the area. Training Provided to the Respondents by Sungi As mentioned earlier, SDF is working on livelihood recovery and amelioration of the local people. Different kinds of training like agriculture, livestock and forestry plantation were projected in the area. Respondents were questioned to explain their opinion in this regard which is discussed in Table-5. Before Sungi project, Agriculture department and SRSP provided trainings to the local community. In Biari, out of total 40 respondents, 20% of the sample respondents were trained as agriculturist, 10% were trained as livestock keepers and 15% were trained as foresters, however, most (55%) of the sample respondents were untrained in the study area before the project. In Pokal, out of total 25 respondents, 16% of the sample respondents were trained as agriculturist, 12% of the sample respondents were trained as livestock keepers and 16% of the sample respondents were trained as foresters. Fifty six percent of the sample respondents were untrained before the project. In Karg, out of total 25 respondents, 16% respondents each were agriculturist and livestock keepers, while 8% of the sample respondents were foresters. Sixty percent respondents were untrained before the project activation. After SDF interventions, 45% of the sample respondents got training for agriculture, 20% got training each as livestock and forestry, only 15% of the sample respondents were remain untrained in village Biari. In Pokal, 40% of the sample respondents were trained as agriculturist, 28% were trained as livestock keepers and 20% of the sample respondents were trained as foresters. Twelve percent of the sample respondents were found untrained. In village Karg, 56% of the sample respondents were trained as agriculturist, 24% respondents were trained as livestock keepers and 16% of the sample respondents were trained as foresters. Merely, 4% of the sample respondents were untrained after the interventions of the project. Table 5. Nature of Training Before and After Sungi

6 Naveed Afsar, et al. Effects of socio-economic interventions made by sungi development foundation 132 Nature of training Agriculture Before After Livestock Before After Forestry/ nursery Before After No training Before After Chi Square= The overall data regarding training reveal that awareness among the sample respondents was increased as 18% to 47%, 12% to 23% and 13% to 19% for agriculture, livestock and forestry, respectively. The total chi square value was The P-value=0.000 indicates that the results are highly significant and there is a strong effect of nature of training on the respondents of the study area so we conclude that training was provided to the respondents by Sungi in the area. The people were skilled in agriculture, livestock, forestry and nursery, income increased. These results tally with the findings of Mustafa (2001) who reported for long training programs to train the rural people about agriculture. Khan (1995) reported that rural economy could be improved through agricultural development. Condition of Drainage/Sewerage System Sungi is involved to rehabilitate the living conditions of the local people. Some action plans were also developed through mutual consensus. Water channels, latrines and municipal waste collection spots were constructed for improving environmental features which elevate the drainage system and walk-ways in the area. Respondents were asked to express their feeling which is presented in Table-6. Before the project in Biari, out of total 40 respondents, 70% of the sample respondents reported that drainage system was bad. Normal and good drainage system was reported by 15% each of the sample respondents, respectively. In village Pokal, out of total 25 respondents, 80% of the sample respondents illustrated bad drainage system of the village. Twelve percent of the sample respondents reported normal and 8% respondents narrated good drainage system of the village before the project. In village Karg, out of total 25 respondents, bad, normal and good drainage system was reported by 68%, 20% and 12% of the sample respondents before the project. After the project intercession in Biari, 70% of the sample respondents appreciated good drainage system launched by Sungi in the village. Ten percent respondents narrated it normal, while 10% of the sample respondents said that the drainage system was bad. In village Pokal, good drainage system was reported by 64% respondents, while normal and bad drainage system was reported by 24% and 12% of the sample respondents, respectively. In village Karg, good, normal and bad drainage system was reported by 60%, 32% and 8% of the sample respondents, respectively. Table 6. Condition of Drainage/Sewerage System Before and After Sungi Condition of drainage/ sewerage system Bad Before After Normal Before After Good Before After Chi Square= As a whole, 66% of the sample respondents reported good drainage system, 24% of the sample respondents answered normal and 10% of the sample respondents narrated bad condition of drainage/sewerage system after the project interventions.

7 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 30, No.1, The total chi square value was The P-value=0.000 indicates that the results are highly significant and there is a strong effect of drainage/sewerage system on the respondents of the study area so we conclude that drainage/sewerage system was enhanced with the interventions of Sungi in the area. Environmental condition of the area was improved, diseases were controlled and money saved. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Study concludes that there was a lot of change which take place in the life style of rural community in the study area which directly or indirectly contributed positively to the livelihood of the local community. The Sungi socio-economic interventions affected the education, occupation, farming, and forestry, orchard/nursery plantation in the area followed by improving road condition and drainage/sewerage system. Living condition and social life of the people improved by SDF interventions. The study concludes that SDF played a vital role in the development of the local community. Keeping in view the findings of the study, the following implantable recommendations are made. 1. Improved development schemes should be introduced for potable water supply and sanitation, provided to protect the natural environment. 2. Advanced dairy farming should be introduced in the area due to the availability of hilly tracts and natural grazing system. 3. Innovated and regular training of the relevant community regarding, different sectors should be considered as a tool for sustainable development. REFERENCES Annual Report, Sungi Development Foundation. Ganesan, R. and S. Parvathi Rural Development Experiences from Research for scheduled castes. Indian Farming. 41(5): Iqbal, M Pakistan Society, Aziz Book Depot,Urdu Bazaar,Lahore. Israr, M., N. Ahmad, S.N. Shaukat, M.M. Shafi, I. Ahmad and A. Khan Village organization activities for rural development in northern Pakistan (A case study of district Shangla). Sarhad J. Agric. 25(4): Khan, A Rural economy and the problem of technology transformation in Pakistan. J. Rural Dev. Admini. 27(1): Minhas, L, Residence in a rural community and satisfaction with rural services: a study of Pakistani male and female rural youth. J. Rural Dev. Admin. 24(2): Mustafa, S.G Analysis of agricultural practices recommended by NRSP. M.Sc. (Hons) Thesis, Department of Agriculture Ext. Edu. and Commu., KP Agric. Univ. Peshawar, Pakistan. Rawat, D.S., Subrat Sharma and S. Sharma The development of a road network and its impact on the growth of infrastructure: a study of Almora district in the Central Himalaya. Mountain Res. Dev. 17(2): Williams, G.O., and M. Gargett Rural development via community participation: issues and lessons in project planning from the Sierra Leone experience. Development projects: issues for the 1990s: Vol. II. Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary Conference, 6-8 April 1995.