Yi Minority Village Human Ecology Research Project
Sugu Village, 4 Zu by Rose Acock, June 1997
Contents
Update on ‘Yi Minority Village Human Ecology Research Project 1997’
April 1999
Focusing on Impact of DORS Poverty Alleviation Measures
Introduction
The village of Sugu was originally studied during a five-day research trip from 24th March 1997 to 28th March 1997. In April 1999 the village was visited again repeating part of the original study, to assess changes that have taken place in the two-year period.
Since the initial visit in March 1997 DORS has started two measures for assisting Sugu Village: Education support, and a Women’s Rural Credit Scheme. Other major changes that have happened in the village are that the horse path has been completed to Wusihe, the nearby town, and the Water Conservancy Bureau have provided materials for a drinking water supply project currently under construction.
DORS Intervention
The initial study in 1997 outlined the following areas as possibilities for DORS intervention:
Drinking and Irrigation Supply Project
Educational grants for poor children
Electricity Supply Project
Outline plans were received for connecting Sugu hamlets 4,5, and 6 to the grid. The cost was high, and some fundamental questions were not solved such as overall responsibility for the project, lack of electricity department plan and authorisation, failure to receive authorisation from the power station etc. The Township Government was not able to secure fund towards the project. Therefore DORS were unable to assist.
Drinking and Irrigation Water Supply Project
The Water Conservancy Bureau designed and provided materials for a water supply project bringing water 4,000m from a spring to a tank above the village. The main pipe was connected in early 1999, and the storage tank in operation. The piping to households has not yet been connected. The water is sufficient for drinking water needs. It remains to be seen whether there will be sufficient water for irrigation.
Women’s Rural Credit Scheme
A credit scheme was set up by DORS in July 1997. After discussions with women and leaders in the village the scheme was designed. Loans of 1000 RMB were made to 21 of the 30 women in the village, with repayments made monthly. The women were in groups of 5, chosen by themselves, with a group leader selected to collect in the money monthly. One group leader was selected to collect in the money from the small group leaders. DORS then collected the money from the group leader, or the group leader brought the money to Wusihe where it was kept with the Township Women’s Cadre until DORS collection. Women used loans for animal husbandry (raising pigs and sows, cattle and horse) and for small shops.
The repayments for the first 5 months were good. In January, February and March only half the women kept up their monthly repayments. The remainder was repaid at the end of the loan period, and one to two months after. The repayments were all made in full by October, nearly three months after the final payment date.
The scheme was then reviewed with some of the village women and the group leaders. It was decided to change the loan repayments to two six monthly repayments. The second round of loans were disbursed in October 1998. 23 women took loans. 18 of which took loans for the second time. There were 5 new loanees, and 3 women took loans the first time but declined to the second time. Again most loans were used for raising additional livestock and extra animal sheds.
The first of the two six monthly repayments was due in April 1999. So far 59% of the amount to be repaid has been repaid; other women want to wait until the second instalment is due to repay. April is the most difficult time of the year to repay due to outgoings of cash for maize seeds, and fertiliser.
Educational grants for poor children
When the study was carried out in 1997 there were 17 children unable to attend school due to financial difficulty of their family. In September 1997 we paid school fees for 22 children, 11 of which were full fees, 11 were part fees (approx. two thirds of the total cost). Some of the funds were not used, as the schoolbooks did not arrive in time, these funds were then used the next semester. Total 3110RMB
In February 1998 DORS assisted 22 children to attend school, 11 of which were full fees and 11 part fees. Total 2427 RMB.
In August 1998 DORS assisted 23 children to attend school, funding amounts were as the previous semester, but with the parents paying the extra corresponding to the rise in price. Total 3510 RMB
In March 1999 DORS again assisted 20 children to attend school, as per the previous semester. Some of the children had graduated from primary school. Total 3200 RMB
The total funds spent on education in Sugu Hamlet 4 from September 1997 to April 1999 are 12,247 RMB.
The drop out rate in the village is now very low. One boy has dropped out after we supported him for two years. Even though we could have continued to provide a contribution towards his fees his father needed him to do the farm work. The father is a widower and the family is short of labour.
Evaluation of Changes in Sugu Village since DORS Intervention
Households Studies revisited
In March 1997 interviews were conducted with 12 of the 30 households. These were all selected as poor households, but not particularly poor (of which there are 4 households), or above average (of which there are 14 households). Interviews were again conducted with the same households after a period of two years.
The interviewees were either men or women, and the second interview was not necessarily with the same family member. All interviews were either with the head of the household or their spouse.
Presented in appendix 1 is a summary of the changes that have taken place in the sample households during the last two years.
Analysis of Survey Responses
Villagers perceptions of changes in their situation
In 9 of the 12 interviewed households an improvement in standard of living was reported. The two households that did not receive loans either in 1997 or 1998 were two of the three that reported no improvement. The significant changes for the better were reported by two households, both of which took DORS loans both times. This would indicate that there might be a positive correlation between use of DORS loan and subsequent livelihood improvements.
Animal Husbandry
As pointed out by the respondents, many of the positive changes were due to the ability to purchase additional livestock. Increases in numbers of livestock for the 12 households were significant. The number of pigs, for example, has increased from a total of 24 to 78 in two years, an increase of 54 pigs, trebling the number. However, most of this increase was in piglets. This is due to the increase in keeping sows. In 1997 there were 2 sows raised amongst these 12 households, now there are 11 sows, with 10 out of the 12 households raising them. The raising of sows is for income generation. Piglets can be sold at the market, with one or two kept for the family’s consumption. Unfortunately the price of piglets and fattened pigs on the market is very low at present. Of the fattening pigs, these have increased from 12 to 26 in two years. These are either used for own consumption or sold for cash.
The number of cattle increased by one cow in three households that had taken DORS loans twice, whereas the number of cattle also decreased in three households. Household no. 28 lost three cattle (no details).
The goat population among these 12 households increased by 8 overall. Losses of 5 goats occurred in two households, one had taken a loan once and one had not loaned at all.
On a household basis the overall increase/decrease in numbers of livestock between 1997 and 1999 (pigs, horses, cattle, and goats) ranged from -6 to an increase of 16 head. With an average of 4.6 head increase.
Of the two households that did not take loans the per household head increases/decreases were: 3 and 2.
Of the 3 households only loaning once the inc/dec were: +16, 0, -6,
Of the 7 households loaning both times the inc/dec were: 13,5,6,5,5,10,2
The households that loaned both times have slightly higher increases in livestock per household.
Borrowing from other sources
The level of other debt reported in total for the 12 households had reduced by nearly 50% from 19,460 to 11,400.
Accommodation
Some accommodation was built for the increased number of livestock. Four households out of the 12 built a new shed or sty and one made improvement to the house. Of these 5 households 4 had taken DORS loans twice and one once.
Education
In the survey group (12 poor households) there were no children of school age not attending school, and four households had children studying with part school fees paid by DORS.
Conclusions
The above has demonstrated that there have been significant changes in the 12 sample households. For the majority this has been an improvement in their standard of living by their own judgement. The figures for livestock show significant increases in the numbers owned by the households. The increase in income generation has not been so directly demonstrated due to several factors. Firstly it is difficult to measure cash income over a time period, also the households do not have records, they also do not include goods that are bartered as cash incomes. The price for pork and live pigs is very low, so the incomes have been more modest than they could have been. The women are still willing to keep raising pigs and see the price change as a temporary low. Other livestock is viewed as a form of savings and wealth, with the idea being to keep a number of animals (not usually pigs) for sale in emergencies and particular circumstances such as weddings and funerals rather than to produce a regular cash income. So a family will be regarded as wealthy according to the assets it has in the form of livestock rather than only the cash expenditure. Raising of pigs is regarded differently from the other livestock, with many women raising pigs for cash income through sale of piglets and to a lesser extent fattened pigs.
Although the sample sizes are small, there has been demonstrated that the more significant benefits have occurred in households that have had taken DORS loans both times, and the lesser benefits have occurred where loans were used once or not at all. However, there are a number of exceptions to this, as the examples show. There are many factors that lead to improvements or degeneration of family fortune over a two-year period. Here we have seen examples of poverty due to a death in the family, feuding and imprisonment. Less dramatic but also significant are the loss of livestock to disease, the fluctuating price of pigs and the failure of the walnut harvest last year.
Overall, the impact of the women’s rural credit scheme and education support has had a positive impact on the lives of the sample households of Sugu Village.
In total there are thirty households in this hamlet, twenty of which have women participating in the rural credit scheme. In other parts of the village there are a further 29 women and in other villages in Hanyuan, totalling over 300 women altogether in the credit scheme. It is hoped that similar benefits are being experienced by those participants. Future studies will follow the changes in Sugu Village and other DORS project villages.
Appendix 1
Household No. 2 Pu Guo Hua
DORS loan: Loaned both times, first for cow and second time for building sty.
DORS supported education: Daughter aged 9
Family size: Young couple with a young daughter, they have recently had a second daughter
House/living conditions: Constructed a new shed for cattle, using DORS loan.
They have one more bed.
Animal Husbandry:
They now own a cow, used for ploughing the fields. They now have 4 goats, none previously.
They have 10 pigs, but only had two before. They have a sow, a pig for their own consumption and 8 piglets, which they can sell.
Sold 3 piglets for 300 RMB in the last year, whereas no income from sale of livestock reported in previous interview.
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: Now have more fruit trees, but no cash income, although contribute to diet of household. Pu Guo Hua is the schoolteacher, and receives 60 RMB each month.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) previously reported a debt of 760, now owe 1700 for expenditure on the new animal shed.
Reported Changes in Livelihood:
Pu Guo Hua and his wife Ah Yi Si Luo reported that their lives have changed for the better in the last two years. The change has not been very large, but they now have a cow for ploughing their fields and a sow, which will produce a cash income through sale of piglets.
Household No. 6 Pu Guo Qiang
DORS loan: Loaned first time only, buying a sow and goats.
DORS supported education: Son aged 11
Family size: Couple with two teenage children. They lost a child in an accident in 1995. No change in family size since 1997. Their daughter is now 15 and never attended school; she was thought too old to start primary school when DORS offered to assist with fees.
House/living conditions: Constructed a new pigsty.
Animal Husbandry:
They have two cattle, no change.
They now have 8 goats; they did not have any previously. They have 10 pigs, but only had two before. They have a sow, a pig for their own consumption and 8 piglets, which they can sell.
Sold 3 piglets for 300 RMB in the last year, sale of livestock reported in 1997 interview was 300 for a cow.
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: No change, except for animal husbandry. No expenditure for piglets as they have their own now.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) previously reported a debt of 3000 incurred though medical expenses for the daughter that died. Now have 1700 of that debt remaining
Reported Changes in Livelihood:
Pu Guo Qiang reported that their lives have not changed significantly in the last two years. Although they have more livestock and income generating capacity therefrom.
Household No. 7 Pu Guo You
DORS loan: First time borrowed for purchase of feed for pig raising, second time for purchase of horse.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: Pu Guo You died. His son Pu Zhi Jun is now the head of household. There are now 4 people in the household, his mother, wife and young daughter.
House/living conditions: Built a pigsty.
Animal Husbandry: Two years ago they had 3 pigs. Bought a sow, now have 6 pigs (sow, 3 piglets, and 2 fattening pigs). Still have three cattle as before, and now have 10 goats, two more than last time. They also have 15 chickens, only had 8 previously. Sold three piglets in the last year.
Land Area and Crops: Slightly improved crop production.
Cash income: Income increased as 300 RMB from sale of piglets, and sale of beans to buy rice.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) still have debts of 500 RMB as before.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: Pu Zhi Jun noted improvement in household income. He said having a horse for transport made a good improvement, as they do not need to carry things.
Household No. 11 Pu You Fu
DORS loan: Did not take DORS loan in 1997 or 1998.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: Was five people. Couple plus their three daughters. One daughter works away, and the second to youngest has got married but not yet moved away permanently, the youngest daughter is still at home. Now 4 people.
House/living conditions: No change.
Animal Husbandry: Two years ago they had 5 pigs including a sow. Now have 12 pigs (sow, 1 fattening pig and 9 piglets. Still have one cow as before. Now have a horse, whereas previously no horse. Their number of goats has reduced from 15 to 10
Land Area and Crops: Slightly reduced area as some divided up to daughter. Also paddy land had no water last year so were unable to grow rice. Maize harvest improved though.
Cash income: No income from animal husbandry, although two years ago they had 1000 income from the sale of a horse and sale of two piglets. They ate a goat as well as a pig. Any earned cash income was spent on the wedding of daughter.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) No debt as before.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: Pu You Fu and his wife Gan Xiu Ying said their lives have not changed for the better in the last two years. Although the water supply is being implemented, they still do not have water to their house. No change in livelihood. The daughter said their household situation is worse than two years previously.
Household No. 12 Li Quan An
DORS loan: Borrowed both times.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: Was four people. Couple plus their disabled boy and small daughter. Now they have another baby boy.
House/living conditions: No change to house, but one more bed and a new watch.
Animal Husbandry: They had no horse, cattle or goats previously. Now they have one cow bought with DORS loan. Also had 2 piglets before, now they have 7 pigs (sow, 5 piglets, and 1 fattening pig).
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: No income from animal husbandry. They ate one pig. Also ate chickens and eggs as is common during pregnancy and after giving birth. They have some fruit trees but no cash income as yet.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously had a debt of 2500 borrowed for building the house when they were newly married. They still have 1000 to repay.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: Li Quan An reported that their lives are slightly improved from two years ago, although they recently have the additional burden of having to pay a 600 RMB ‘service charge’ for their third child. They reported that everyone has to pay these charges, 200 for the first child, 400 for the second and 600 for the third. This family is allowed a third child as their first son is disabled.
Li Quan An said their lives have improved after having access to the loan, they were able to buy a sow and a cow.
Household No. 16 Pu Guo Zhong
DORS loan: Borrowed in late 1998 only, purchasing a sow.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: There were two people in the family, Pu Guo Zhong and his wife Ah Ji Si Cha, they now have a baby girl. Pu Guo Zhong is in prison, he has been for about a year, and has two more years to of his sentence to serve.
House/living conditions: No change to house.
Animal Husbandry: They previously had two pigs as their only livestock. Now they have two pigs but one of them is a sow, capable of producing piglets for sale.
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: No cash income.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously had a debt of 200, now have debt of 300 RMB.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: Ah Ji Si Cha reported that their livelihood has changes slightly for the better, but that they have not started making any money yet from the sow.
Household No. 17 Pu Guo Xun
DORS loan: Borrowed both in 1997 and 1998 purchasing a sow both times, although did say she was going to buy a cow the second time.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: No change, still young couple and their son. Pu Guo Xun is in prison; he has one year left to serve of a two-year sentence with his brother Pu Guo Zhong.
House/living conditions: No change to house.
Animal Husbandry: They previously two pigs as their only livestock. Now they have a sow, 5 piglets and 1 fattening pig.
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: Cash income improved in that reported sale of piglet raising 100 RMB and two chickens for 60 RMB.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously had a debt of 700, now have debt of 1000 RMB.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: Ah Ga Sa Jie reported that their household economic situation is much better than before. There is definitely a change, and this is due to the loan opportunity. She had improved income the year before last with sale of piglets. Last year the sow died so she has purchased another one.
Household No. 18 Pu Guo Liang
DORS loan: Borrowed once in 1998, purchased a horse but it died.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: No change, still older couple Pu Guo Liang and his wife Liu Lian Zhen.
House/living conditions: No change to house.
Animal Husbandry: They previously had three cattle, two pigs and ten goats. Now they have one less cattle, same pigs and only five goats.
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: Less than before as walnut harvest failed, previously was very low.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously had a debt of 1200, now the debt has reduced considerably to 200 RMB.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: Not much change to their standard of living. The horse they bought with the loan died.
Household No. 22 Pu You Yuan
DORS loan: Borrowed twice, for a camera to do photography in 1997 and for a horse the second time.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: Three people previously - The old man, his son and daughter-in-law. They now have a baby daughter.
House/living conditions: They have built a cow shed.
Animal Husbandry: They previously had two cattle, now one. They now have a horse whereas none before, and they have 8 pigs now (1 sow, 2 fattening pigs and 5 piglets). No change to the goats.
Land Area and Crops: Increase in grain production of maize crop, not sure why.
Cash income: About the same except more from fruit and less from walnuts. Sold a cow and two piglets. They didn’t make much money from selling photographs- this was the young husband’s idea.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously had a debt of 1400, now the debt has reduced considerably to 800 RMB.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: They reported some changes to their livelihood, such as having a sow that can produce an income. Building the courtyard and new pig sty.
Household No. 24 Pu Guo Yin
DORS loan: Borrowed twice, for a cow first time (which died) and a horse second time.
DORS supported education: Son and Daughter
Family size: Four people. Pu Guo Yin and Ah Yi Si Ha and their son and daughter.
House/living conditions: They have whitewashed their house, now one of the few whitewashed buildings in the village.
Animal Husbandry: They previously had one cow, two goats and two pigs. They now have more including two cows, 5 goats, 8 pigs (including 2 sows and 6 piglets), and more chickens than previously.
Land Area and Crops: Grain production has increased, no change in land area. Planted a lot of apple and pear trees but ¾ were destroyed by pests.
Cash income: 2000RMB from sale of piglets, previously no income from animal husbandry. Also income from grain grinding machine, and labouring work 2,600 RMB total.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously had a debt of 8000 incurred through a mine, which went bankrupt. They have paid off 5,000 and have 3,000 remaining.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: They reported a big change from two years ago. The family did have money but lost it in a mining investment. Pu Guo Yin would like to get into mining again but does not have the capital. Said the change in their livelihood was due to DORS loan.
Household No. 28 Hu You Quan
DORS loan: Did not borrow either time.
DORS supported education: Daughter
Family size: Four people. Hu You Quan and Ah Ji Fu Jian, with their son and daughter. No change to family size.
House/living conditions: No change.
Animal Husbandry: They previously had 4 cattle, now only one. Pigs have increased to 8 (sow, 2 fattening pigs and 5 piglets). No horse or goats
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: None, no change.
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously not borrowed money, now they have a debt of 700 RMB.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: They reported not much change in the last two years. Their sow was only bought recently so they hope to have some income from that. They have just enough to eat.
Note: This family is part of a group of three families of father and two married sons. One other son died whilst working abroad as a labourer. He was engaged and his fiancée’s family thought they were entitled to part of the small compensation. A fight took place between the two family groups and the father of this family was seriously injured and is partly disabled. The brothers from the fiancée’s family group are in prison (above). Hu You Quan’s family would have had high outgoings for funeral expenses for his brother and medical expenses for his father.
Household No. 30 Li Qing Cai
DORS loan: Borrowed both times, first for a cow and second for a pig raising.
DORS supported education: None
Family size: Three people – Li Qing Cai, his wife Ah Ga Zha Yin and their son.
House/living conditions: No change.
Animal Husbandry: No change to number of cattle – only one. Still got two pigs but one of them is a sow now. Also got two goats where none previously.
Land Area and Crops: No change.
Cash income: Approx. 1000 RMB from labouring
Loan: (excluding DORS loan) they previously had a debt of 900, which they have paid off.
Reported Changes in Livelihood: They reported not much change in the last two years. Their sow was only bought recently so they hope to have some income from that. They have had to repay a debt so have not had much change to their standard of living.
