Publication

Editor’s Note As we embrace the vibrant colors of spring and commemorate the spirit of independence, I am delighted to welcome you to the 17th edition of our newsletter. March marks a significant period for celebration and reflection, as we honour our nation’s Independence Day on March. In this edition, we pay homage to the […]

Navigating the nation towards a bright future In the 16th volume of our newsletter, as the cool breeze of December whispers through, and the year 2023 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the past seven years of impactful endeavors. In this special edition, commemorating both our seventh anniversary, symbolizing our journey’s evolution […]

In this month`s editorial corner, we focus on the ongoing efforts and commitments that shape our mission to make a difference in the world. At the heart of our dedication lies the belief that positive change is possible through research-oriented development. Our organization, the MOMODa FOUNDATION, continues to stand firmly committed to addressing critical social issues that affect our communities. Over the years, MOMODa FOUNDATION has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

We conducted an experimental intervention in unelectrified areas of northern Bangladesh to investigate the effectiveness of solar products in improving children’s educational achievement. We found that treated households substituted solar lanterns for kerosene-based lighting products to a significant extent, helping to decrease total household expenditure. Solar lanterns increased the children’s home-study hours, particularly at night […]

For a country like Bangladesh, skill development programs are of top policy importance; and adequately planning for such programs are crucial policy concerns. The country is currently enjoying the youth bulge or popularly known as demographic dividend – a large youth workforce (especially workforce aged 15 to 24) compared to its dependent population. The age […]

This study examines the demand of microcredit among ultra-poor households in northern Bangladesh. We implemented a field experiment to identify what type of credit is best suited to their demand. We found that the uptake rate by the ultra-poor is the lowest for regular small cash credit, followed by in-kind credit. We also found that […]

Despite continuous efforts to improve the coverage, the access to electricity remains insufficient in many developing countries, particularly in geographically challenged locations, due mostly to the high cost of grid extension. To rigorously investigate the effectiveness of solar products as an alternative in remote areas, we conducted a randomized controlled trial in river islands of […]

This volume uniquely addresses the mismatch between credit repayments and income seasonality, which can create serious distortions. Typically, Micro-Finance Institutes (MFIs) do not provide any adjustments due to the income seasonality. For instance, in Northern Bangladesh, income and consumption downfalls during the time of post-Aman rice plantation season are a regular phenomenon, locally known as […]

This paper investigates the relationship between access to micro-credit and temporary seasonal migration, an issue which is largely ignored in the standard rural-urban migration literature. Seasonal migration due to agricultural downturns is a common phenomenon in developing countries. Using primary data from a cross-sectional household survey from the northwest part of Bangladesh, this study quantifies […]