AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION STRATEGIES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN SHYAMNAGAR UPAZILA OF SATKHIRA DISTRICT

Abstract

Bangladesh is a developing country and its economy depends largely on agriculture but the economic sector is most vulnerable to climate change and variability. This survey study is intended to know the nature of hazards, identify and analyze the adaptation options due to climate change in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district. Data were collected from the farmers of selected five villages (Ramjannagar, Padmapukur, Munshiganj, Kashimari and Koikhali) of Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira district during August, 2016 to December, 2016 by open questionnaire process. The sample size of the study was 100 farmers and drawn from a population size of 650 using proportionate random sampling technique. Data were processed and analyzed using excel-2007 and SPSS-16. The study revealed that the intensity of salinity has increased and 91% of the respondents observed that some crops damaged than that of past and some other hazards (flood, cyclone, rainfall etc.) are posing new threat by changing their nature. About 86% of the respondents perceived and adapted to climate change. In the study area there were different adaptation options viz. sorjan method, crop rotation, saline tolerant varieties, crop diversification, mini pond, adjusting planting time etc. introduced for agricultural activities and also enhancing agricultural production, improve soil health. In the study area farmers faced some problems those problems are ranked using Problem Confrontation Index (PCI), there “lack of available water” (PCI-291) ranked 1 st “shortage of cultivable land” (PCI-287) 2 nd and “unpredicted weather” (PCI-284) 3 rd respectively. The adaptation options were measured by applying Adaptation Strategy Index (ASI) method, there “sorjan method”(ASI-287) ranked first, “Crop rotation”(ASI-242) 2 nd and “saline tolerant varieties” (ASI-232) 3 which are the attractive adaptation options in the study area. About 86% of the respondents followed Boro rice-Vegetables-T.aman cropping pattern in Shyamnagar upazila. There are some barriers of adaptation measures like lack of irrigation facilities (94%), lack of knowledge (90%) and poor soils (90%) on the top. For water harvesting adaptation options farmers benefited by digging mini-pond in crop field, water reserve in narrow canal in crop field. DAE, CDMP, FAO and different NGOs are doing the jobs. However, due to introduction of innovated adaptation tecniques the said threats have been mitigated to a greater extent. And, this has become possible only for the coordinated support from the government, development partner (NGOs, WB, FAO etc.) and local people.