Climate change dynamics and adaptation strategies: insights from Dingapota Haor farmers in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is a highly climate vulnerable region. Among the many areas of Bangladesh, the haor region is considered as one of the most climate change sensitive areas. Again, the nation greatly depends on the agricultural produce of the haor area. So, adoption to climate change strategies is vital for the farming community of Bangladesh. The current study was conducted based on the idea of understanding the depth of knowledge of farmers regarding climate change, identifying the currently practiced climate change adaptation strategies and to know the influential factors behind the adoption of those practices. The study was drawn on primary data collected from 300 farmers of the Dingapota haor of Mohanganj upazila under Netrokona district of Bangladesh through a structured interview schedule. Descriptive analysis, adaptation Strategy Index (ASI), and Pearson’s product correlation coefficient (r) were used to analyze data with the help of Excel and SPSS. The study found that the intensity of flash floods, short winter seasons, and unpredictable rainfall have significantly increased. Most respondents believe that certain parts of the climatic conditions are getting worse. Farmers’ knowledge about crop diversification secured first and floating agriculture secured second position in case of advanced proficiency to cope with climate change vulnerability. The research exposed that changes in planting and harvesting dates are the most efficient climate change adaptation strategy practiced by farmers and their experience of agricultural farming strongly influences adaptation choices in the study area.