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Assessment of Vulnerability in Agricultural Sector in Disaster Prone Areas of Bangladesh

T. F. Khan
Bangladesh Australia Centre for Environmental Research (BACER-DU), Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

M. W. Ullah
Center for Environmental and GeographicInformation Services (CEGIS), Gulshan, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.

S. M. Imamul huq
Bangladesh Australia Centre for Environmental Research (BACER-DU), Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was carried out in 24 Upazillas of 12 districts of Bangladesh with a view to identifying risks, vulnerabilities and impacts of different types of natural disasters commonly occurring in Bangladesh with respect to agricultural production and sustainable agricultural development. Three districts were selected from each category of the disaster viz., drought, saline, river flood and flash flood prone. Two Upazillas were selected randomly from each district by considering the homogeneity (climate, agricultural practices, agricultural production, disaster risks, livelihood system, population, etc.) of the particular disaster affected areas. Of the four disasters, drought prone area covers the highest net cultivable area (NCA) measuring about 121 ha. Flash flood, salinity and river flood prone area covers approximately 115, 60 and 30 ha, respectively. The dominant cropping pattern in drought areas is Fallow-T.Aman-Wheat. In saline areas, it is Fallow-T. Aman- Pulse while in flood areas, it is Fallow-T.Aman- HYV Boro. Trend analysis showed that overall cropped area decreased by 1% in all disaster prone areas from 1984 - 2013. The highest decrease in cropped area was found for pulse in both drought (13%) and river flood (14%) areas. In saline and flash flood areas, it was for spice and potato, respectively. Among 72 farmers, 85% is vulnerable to drought, 90% to salinity, 69% to river flood and 95% to flash flood. Medium high land was found to be the most vulnerable for agricultural production in all disaster prone areas. Due to vulnerability to disasters, medium high land remains fallow in saline (83%), river flood (51%) and flash flood (31%) areas. In case of drought regions, medium low land (37%) remains fallow.

Keywords: Assessment, Vulnerability, Disaster pone, Crop production

Location: Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

Objective of this study was to identify the risks, vulnerabilities and impacts of disasters and to assess the strategies for increasing agricultural production in the disaster affected areas of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The study areas were selected based on the homogeneity (climate, agricultural practices, agricultural production, disaster risks, livelihood system, population, etc.) of the particular disaster affected areas through random sampling method. It covered 24 Upazillas under 12 districts. Two Upazillas were selected from each of the districts whereas three districts were selected from each category of the disaster. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources for the assessment of current and future possible risks of disasters and vulnerability of agricultural production in order to ensure sustainable agricultural development. The study was carried out by identifying relevant information and documentation of the agricultural production, technology, livelihood of the farmers and local people, vulnerable groups of people, vulnerability to different disasters and existing initiatives to combat disasters in disaster vulnerable areas of Bangladesh. Secondary data were collected from scientific reports, publications and proceedings of relevant organizations. Primary data were collected by field investigations through institutional survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII) as described in McQueen and Knussen (2002). Standard questionnaire and checklists were prepared for collecting relevant quantitative and qualitative information from the institutions. Forty eight FGDs were conducted in 24 selected Upazillas following the method as described in Boateng (2012). A total of 72 farmers (three farmers from each Upazilla) of different classes viz., marginal, small, medium, large was selected for the FGD and KII. Data and information collection were also done by Upazilla officers and local women. For this purpose, 24 Upazilla officers (one from each upazilla) and 48 women (two from each Upazilla) were selected. After that, a code plan was prepared using an appropriate coding system and a database was developed using Microsoft Excel for the purpose of data entry. Space technology including GIS and remote sensing was extensively used for the analysis and preparation of spatial maps of the study areas. Based on the available baseline data, base maps were prepared using ArcGIS software and GIS data of the national water resource database (NWRD). Besides, after computation of the critical factors in vulnerability, the vulnerability maps were developed considering the impacts and severity of disaster hazards.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 28(2): 91-101, 2015 (December)

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BJSR/article/view/26780/17901

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Agriculture represents a key sector for providing economic and social development in Bangladesh, and it is anticipated that disaster risks can have negative impacts on agriculture. The extent of these impacts largely depends on the ability of people for facing vulnerabilities of disasters which requires immediate efforts to build resilience and adaptive capacity. Key strategies for adaptation to disasters in the agricultural sector must be based on the principles of sustainable development and diversification. Productivity rate is to be improved to meet the dual challenge of achieving food security and generating sufficient food to meet the increasing demand. Farmers of this country utilizes both indigenous farming knowledge and selected modern technologies to minimize the harmful impacts of disasters. It is adaptable to both small and large scale farming systems which ultimately leads to enhanced productivity.

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