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Effectiveness of Adaptation Measures for Reducing the Effect of Salinity Intrusion in Agriculture Practice: a Case Study from Kolapara Upazila, Bangladesh

Mashura Shammi
Corresponding Author
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh

Anirban Das
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh

Ummay Salma
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh

Abid Azad Sakib
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh

Md. Mostafizur Rahman
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Salinity has caused significant negative effects on agricultural production in the coastal regions in Bangladesh. This research is focused on the effect of salinity intrusion in the agricultural sector and the adaptation measures to reduce negative effects considering farmers’ perception. A questionnaire survey was conducted using multi-stage and simple random sampling technique. 120 responses from male farmers were collected from Khaprabhanga and Nilganj Union of Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali District. Regression analysis and the coefficient of variation was done among the 12 dependent variables as farmers perceived adaptation effectiveness along with the 16 independent variables. Results show that farmers with good agricultural knowledge and participation in the organisational activities had a significant influence on the choice of adaptive measures. Moreover, farming experience, tenure status was significantly associated with planting crops in Rabi season; training experience was significantly associated with rooftop catchment area, solar-powered desalination, and rainwater harvesting. On the other hand, farm size was associated with solar-poweredT desalination plants, pond sand filter and levelling of land while the annual income was associated with levelling of land and rainwater harvesting. Access to extension services was significantly associated with levelling of land, planting crops in Rabi season and rainwater harvesting while farmer to farmer extension was significantly associated with excavating or renovating pond on the higher ground and plastic sheets with a hole. Responses by the society or policy are the result of undesired impacts of salinity intrusion that have been identified from the DPSIR (driving force-pressure-state-impact-response) framework. From this study the most effective responses identified from the farmers’ perceptions were saline tolerant variety, pond-sand filter, rainwater harvesting, levelling land, applying potassium sulphate fertiliser and avoid fallowing land in the Rabi season.

Keywords: Agriculture, Crop Production, DPSIR Framework, Irrigation Water.

Location: Patuakhali district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Soil salinity, Water salinity

Objectives:

To identify the effectiveness of mitigation measures for reducing the effect of salinity problem in the agricultural production in coastal areas, considering the farmers’ perception on the effectiveness of adaptation measures using DPSIR framework.

Methodology:

Kalapara Upazila is one of the most salinity-affected prone areas of Patuakhali district, Bangladesh. The people of this area face different types of problem where the effect of salinity intrusion is very severe. From the analysis of the previous study, it is found that most of the people of the area face the problem of salinity intrusion. Especially the farmer of this area can grow crop once in a year due to salinity. Besides, they are not capable of producing other crops because the surface water is saline which is not appropriate for irrigation. On the other hand, they have truly little access to modern techniques. For this reason, this area is selected for the research. Kalapara Upazila is adjacent to the Amtali Upazila of Barguna district on the north, the Bay of Bengal on the south, and Rabnabad channel and Galachipa Upazila on the east. The geographical location of this area is 21°52´ to 21°54´ north latitude and 90°6´ to 90°20´ east longitude. Two unions of Kalapara Upazila were selected for this research. Khaprabhanga Union with a population of 26,295 where the number of males 13,675 and number of females 12,620 whereas, Nilganj Union with a population of 28,556 where the number of males 15,648 and the number of females 12,908. The literacy rate of Khaprabhanga and Nilganj is 58.30% and 64.22%, respectively. Data collection method: Multi-stage and simple random sampling techniques were used for the selection of sample size. Kalapara Upazila is consisted of 11 unions (BBS, 2011) out of which Khaprabhanga and Nilganj were selected randomly. Primary data were collected with the questionnaire survey of farmers (Box 1), focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interview (KII) method. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed for data collection to identify the effectiveness of the farmer’s perception of effective adaptation measures to reduce salinity (Box 1). Ethical permission was taken from the authority of the Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University. The sample size was determined based on the method of Cochran (1977). Taking 95% confidence level and 10% margin of error, the sample size was 150. However, the sample size was reduced to 120 as only the male farmers were selected for this research. Data analysis and statistics: Data were entered and processed using the Microsoft Excel program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 22. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe the findings. Descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage distribution have been used to explore the variable. Besides regression analysis, coefficient of variation has been done for the significance test where significance value *p < 0.10; **p < 0.05; ***p < 0.01. Data analysis and statistics: Data were entered and processed using the Microsoft Excel program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 22. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe the findings. Descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage distribution have been used to explore the variable. Besides regression analysis, coefficient of variation has been done for the significance test where significance value *p < 0.10; **p < 0.05; ***p < 0.01.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Research, Vol. 11, 38-54, 2020; ISSN: 1996-8914

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The coastal belt is at extreme risk due to high density of soil and water salinity. This coastal area in Bangladesh constitutes 20% of the country of which about 53% is affected by different degrees of salinity. The study has found the effect of salinity intrusion in the coastal area of Bangladesh. The community people of this area said that the destruction of crop production due to salinity intrusion is a major cause of poor health status of the people. The rate of hypertension will be increased. People face different types of waterborne diseases and different skin problems due to salinity intrusion. The people of this area use different adaptation measures for reducing the effect of salinity intrusion. According to the peoples’ perception, these adaptation measures are effective for salinity intrusion where using saline tolerant crop variety and rainwater harvesting technique is most significant. From the statistical analysis, these adaptation measures are significant for salinity intrusion. Farmers are trying to cope with the effect of salinity intrusion through using these adaptation measures. At last, it can be said that due to natural, and anthropogenic causes as well as weak policy implementation, this salinity problem is increasing which has enhanced the negative impacts on the health of community people.

Knowledge Management: Journal