Impact Analysis of Public Sector and NGO's to Improvement of Rural Livelihoods in Sindh
Rural livelihoods in Sindh recorded an improvement despite financial constraints, expenditure doubled between 2001 and 2006 growing at an average rate of 23% per annum. Public sector contributed significantly through various interventions on poverty alleviation but the most worrying situation was the expenditure on food subsides, food support programs and low cost housing has been stagnant even in nominal terms with negative repercussions for the poor and the needy. Sindh Agricultural and forestry workers coordinating organization has made social mobilization as core activity and entry point followed by different development interventions. The Agha Khan rural support program provides a one time grant to complement village organizations to the infrastructure projects. The national rural support program has lowered the levels of poverty in member households. The Pakistan poverty alleviation fund educational program provides quality learning at primary level in district Sanghar. Similarly PPAF has also improved health care through the provision of quality basic health services. The young Sheedi welfare organization has establish emergency centre for disaster preparedness and provided 600 goats to 200 beneficiaries. Badin rural development society through their effort 1500 women and 2800 men in 60 villages are engaged in development process. The major strength of NGOs was that they have special ability to reach the poor and other segments of society while their major weakness is small size and budget and lack technical capacity to confront difficult situation. It is recommended that NGOs should ensure that new technologies are introduced to help farmers improve and increase crop production.NGOs should create a condition in which the poor are either given or enabled to acquire their assets and a peaceful environment to benefit from those assets. Government should provide facilities for institutional building to the local NGOs this will encourage them to work sincerely towards poverty alleviation.NGOs should not rely on government for future projects instead they can raise funds through savings and donation from rich individuals.