Adaptation Strategies and Coping Mechanism Against Climate Change in Coastal Bangladesh

The coastal and off-shore areas in Bangladesh constitute about 2.65 million hectares of which 0.85 million hectares are affected by varying degrees of salinity. The dominant crop grown in the saline areas is the traditional T. aman rice with poor yield. BRRI has developed and disseminated over a limited area, the salt-tolerant rice variety BRRIdhan 47 to the farmers in salt affected areas in 2007. A study was undertaken to evaluate the adoption process, further impacts on livelihoods of the farming community and to assess farmers’ coping mechanism under the changing environmental conditions. Analysis revealed that, in winter season the saline tolerant BRRIdhan 47 was adopted by 87% of the participant farmers and its yield was the highest among all MVs. During the wet season, nearly 85% farmers previously adopted indigenous varieties. A contrasting picture emerged under current practice; i.e. approximately 69% farmers grew MVs in the wet season. High yielding ability of the variety was found to be the most important trait which the sample farmers in salt-affected areas consider in growing rice. In general, the household status and rice supply availability improved in 100% cases after the implementation of project activity. Socioeconomic indicators such as rice income per hectare, purchasing ability, purchase of land, confidence of women to express their opinions etc, improved by 100%. After project implementation, there was substantial improvement in rice sales. These findings clearly imply that the farming community under the salt affected areas had been able to make remarkable improvements in their livelihood through the adoption of technologies (improved varieties and crop management) introduced to and validated by farmers through the project. The tidal up-surge and sea level rise will cause further inundation and intrusion of saline water in the crop fields of southern Bangladesh. The present study also indicated farmers’ coping strategy with respect to selection and adaptation of appropriate rice genotype under induced salinity levels that would eventually help them enhance farm productivity and improve livelihood as well.