2004 UC Proceedings Abstract

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Spatial Clustering of Rural Poor in Sri Lanka
Track: Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Affairs
Author(s): Upali Amarasinghe

Poverty maps depict different dimensions of human well being. Maps of different dimensions when integrated show the spatial clustering and spatial association of neighboring units. Spatial clustering assesses whether the neighboring units are similar or dissimilar in different dimensions. Spatial association shows possible causes and effects of similarity or dissimilarity of different dimensions. This paper assesses the spatial clustering of economic dimensions of poverty (percentage of poor households) in Sri Lanka. And it also investigates the spatial association of rural poverty with factors influencing agriculture production. Spatial clustering of rural poor in Sri Lanka is significant. Because agriculture is the dominant economic activity of rural people, poverty of a unit is spatially associated with indicators of natural capital such as land, water and soil and indicators of physical capital such as access to roads and markets.

Upali Amarasinghe
International Water Management Institute
Reserach
127, Sunil Mawatha,
Pelawatta, Battaramulla POBox 2075
LK
Phone: 94-11-2787404
Fax: 94-11-2786854
E-mail: u.amarasinghe@cgiar.org