Adaptation of Coastal Farmers to Increasing Salinity in Selected Coastal Area of Bangladesh
Md. Iske Abdullah
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
Md. Safiul Islam Afrad *
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
Md. Enamul Haque
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
Mohammed Ziauddin Kamal
Department of Soil Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
Soumitra Saha
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
Shahriar Hasan
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study evaluated the adaptation measures taken by the coastal farmers of Bangladesh to cope with the increasing salinity. Mixed method including key informant interview, household survey was used to collect data from 80 respondents who were selected as a sample following disproportionate random sampling technique. The study exhibits the poor socio-economic condition of the respondents in the study areas. Disappearing of agricultural land with diminished productivity was the major challenge they faced due to increasing salinity. Around 82.0% of the respondents adopted medium to high-level adaptation strategies in response to salinity management. Among the selected characteristics, only age and family size showed significant and positive contribution to adaptation. Adopting adequate adaption mechanisms will assist coastal farmers’ sustainability in the changing climatic situation and environmental hazards. The current research is important for the relevant policymakers formulating policy for the coastal farmers.
Keywords: Adaptation, Bangladesh, climate change, coastal, salinity