Dropout Youth and Small Entrepreneurship: An Approach to Improve Livelihoods of Rural People in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study analyzed the performance of the six-selected small enterprises of rural dropout youth at Nilphamari district of Bangladesh. It examined the youth's participation in different small enterprises and its impact on socioeconomic development of rural poor youth. Initially 150 rural dropout youths were selected for getting overall information. Thereafter, 30 rural dropout youths were identified who had taken agricultural entrepreneurship as their means of living. It revealed dropout rate at primary and secondary level schools decreased over the year. The rate of taking agricultural entrepreneurship was comparatively lower than wage laborer. The average annual income from enterprises such as livestock and poultry, nursery, fish farming, homestead gardening, horticultural and stock business were Tk. 62444, Tk. 24333, Tk. 40500, Tk. 21000, Tk. 34000 and Tk. 58571 respectively. Average change in household income was 101 percent after being involved with different small enterprises. Household assets value was increased by 164 per cent after involvement with different small enterprises. There was 138 percent increased in working days which indicated self employment opportunities of rural poor youth. Participation of the rural drop out youth to small enterprises contributed significantly towards socioeconomic upliftment of them in general and reduced the poverty gap in particular.