Bangladesh Nutrition - Viewpoint

The academic viewpoint paper authored by John Hoddinott and Susan Horton raise some important considerations regarding the research papers and the interventions. In their analysis, they take note that because the costs are borne largely in the present and the benefits accrue over decades, the benefit cost ratios are sensitive to the discount rate chosen. Determining which rate to use is predicated on the extent to which the welfare of future generations is taken into account when making investment decisions.  With this in mind and assuming that the displacement of private investment is unlikely for many of the interventions proposed in the research, the 5% discount rate provides the best guide for assessing the benefit cost ratios of the interventions.   

Download the full acaemic viewpoint paper here.