EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FARMERS’ FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bangladesh is one of the most exposed countries to climate change and continuously effects on rural farmers and their food and nutrition security. The study examined effects of climate change on farmers’ food and nutrition security. The study carried out in Tangail sadar upazila under Tangail district. The methods of the study is a qualitative methods based on data collection. The objectives of the research were to describe the selected characteristics of the farmers, assess the effects of climate change among study and control group respondents and the contribution of the selected characteristics of the study group farmers on their food and nutrition security. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, independent two sample t-test were used for data analysis with different categories and t-test value taking both study and control group with the minimizing spillover effects. Data were collected from the 100 test respondents selected from the intervention area (4 study villages) considering those who were affected to climate change. On the other hand, data were collected from 33 control respondents selected from the two control villages in purposive random sampling method considering those who were not affected to the climate change effects. Data showed that majority of the farmers in the study area were in under low category for food availability, food stock ability, nutrition uptake and household dietary diversity. There was a significant negative (-2.66) effects of climate change on farmers’ food and nutrition security comparing the study and control group means. Findings also reveal that among the variables namely agricultural training experience, annual family income, Body Mass Index (BMI), agricultural extension media contact and knowledge on climate change had significant contribution to the farmers’ food and nutrition security in the study group respondents. It may be enlightened that climate change has played commencing role in the study group respondents on food and nutrition security. Based on the findings, it is recommended that respective authorities should implement and popularize farmers’ food and nutrition based projects on a massive scale for achieving food and nutrition security of the farmers. Key words: Climate change, Food security, Nutrition security