Livelihood diversification as key to long-term non-migration: evidence from coastal Bangladesh

Abstract

Understanding how livelihood diversification contributes to long-term non-migration decisions of people at risks is innovative and timely in the context of future climate change adaptation planning. This study particularly examines this question and explores how and to what extent livelihood diversification in the face of climate change can support long-term non-migration for people living in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. We employed a cluster random sampling method to select the respondents and interviewed a total of 183 households by using a structured questionnaire. Analysis indicates that the tendency of livelihood diversification based on shrimp-farming has been intensified in recent years as the land use pattern also changed due to the frequent occurrence of environmental hazards. The Poisson regression model states that belonging to a religious minority and shrimp farming determines the extent of livelihood diversification, i.e., if the person belongs to a minority religion and possesses a shrimp-farm they will have more diversified sources of income compared to others living in the society. Moreover, therefore, one in every three households in these studied communities’ practices seasonal migration as an alternative livelihood strategy so that their family can stay put. The outcome of this study motivates the government and non-government organizations to take policies and programs in a direction that may reduce the dependency on seasonal migration and introduce locally adoptable diversified employment opportunities.

Promise, premise, and reality: the case of voluntary environmental non-migration despite climate risks in coastal Bangladesh

“…Again, these voluntary non-migrants appeared to avail significant advantages of accessing to natural resources for their food (𝜒 2 (4) = 14.38;p < 0.01) , fuel collection (𝜒 2 (4) = 12.64;p < 0.01) , timber collection from nearby mangrove forest the Sundarbans (𝜒 2 (4) = 15.51;p < 0.004) , and fishing purpose (𝜒 2 (4) = 21.38;p < 0.000) . These findings are in line with the study findings by Bhusal and Kimengsi (2019), Schewel (2020), and Biswas and Mallick (2020).…”

“…Migration is a notable adaptation strategy to cope with risks (including climate risks) and help them diversify their livelihood options (Mallick and Schanze 2020). However, Biswas and Mallick (2020) also suggested that migration is not necessarily compulsory for all affected people. When people have sufficient capital to diversify their livelihood strategies and ensure their well-being even in the face of climatic risks, they may opt to stay at their concerned localities.…”

“…When people have sufficient capital to diversify their livelihood strategies and ensure their well-being even in the face of climatic risks, they may opt to stay at their concerned localities. Hence, the migration/non-migration decision process is a dynamic and complex phenomenon, shaped by, e.g., environmental, demographic, social, economic, and political factors, as well as availability and access to natural resources (Olsson et al 2014;Bhusal and Kimengsi 2019;Tebboth et al 2019;Mallick and Schanze 2020;Biswas and Mallick 2020;Ayeb-Karlsson et al 2019;Fischer et al 2000;Schewel 2020).…”

In harm’s way: Non-migration decisions of people at risk of slow-onset coastal hazards in Bangladesh

“…Human migration is a complex behavioural decision shaped by social, economic, demographic, and ecological conditions of the environment within which an individual inhabits (Hunter et al 2015;McLeman 2018). While not all migration is the result of a strategic choice, the decision to migrate can be considered an adaptive strategy similar to livelihood diversification in the context of adverse environmental conditions or risks (Massey et al 1998;de Haas 2010;Renaud et al 2011;Biswas and Mallick 2020). The migration-adaptation discourse (e.g.…”

Research Progress on Farmers' Livelihood Transformation and Its Ecological Effects—A Review

“…In addition to considering the two aspects of non-agricultural employment and agriculture, some scholars have considered the actual situation of farmers' employment, studied the planting industry and breeding industry separately, and made a more detailed classification of farmers' livelihood in the farming-pastoral ecotone (Meng et al, 2013;Dao, 2014;Yang and Xu, 2016). By summarizing the relevant research results, we found that the main characteristics of farmers' livelihood strategies are related to regional differences, the diversity of means and needs, and differences in the conditions of the farmers themselves (Viswanathan and Shivakoti, 2008;Biswas and Mallick, 2021;Hernández-Núñez et al, 2022). Farmers' livelihood choices are closely related to the level of regional economic and social development (Su and Yin, 2020).…”