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Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Western Jamuna Basin of Bangladesh

M.B.Ullah
Project Coordinator
International Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Office and PhD Fellow, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. H. Rahman
Professor
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bangladesh, with an area of 147 thousand km² and population of 149.78 millions, is prone to natural hazards (PHC, 2011). The specific objectives of the study were to examine the extent of climatic variations, and to analyze farming communities’ vulnerabilities and adaptations to climate change in the western Jamuna basin of Bangladesh. Assessment was made on March 2013 in Sariakandi Upazila under Bogra district. Primary data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and direct observation. Secondary data were collected from various publications of government agencies and NGOs. Workshop was also conducted at Upazila level to justify, validate and further improvement of the findings of village levels discussion. The major vulnerabilities were flood, river bank erosion, crisis of flood shelters, homestead erosion, shifting of housing, crisis of fodder, crisis of seedbeds, infestation to crops, riverbed siltation, lack of boats and fishing nets, and crisis of quality seeds. The major adaptation practices were construction of flood resistant housing with plinths raising, cultivation of seedlings and vegetables by using flood proofing technologies, case fish culture, rice fish culture, drilling tube wells, installation of sanitary latrines, cultivation of fodder, organized training on disaster management, arrangement of boat ambulance, establishment of tree nurseries including huge tree plantation for carbon sequestration, and arrangement of alternative livelihood activities. Farmers have poor adaptive capacities on cropping practice, livestock and fisheries including alternative livelihood aspect. To make adjustment with impacts of climate change, farmers should change their adaptive technologies.

Keywords: Vulnerability, Adaptation, Climate change

Location: Sariakandi Upazila under Bogra district.

Start Date: 00-03-2013

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Adoption of technology, Climate change, Vulnerable

Objectives:

The major hazards particularly in monsoon are flood and river bank erosion. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the extent of climatic variations, and to analyze farming communities’ vulnerabilities and adaptations to climate change in the flood prone western Jamuna basin of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The assessment was made on March 2013 in Sariakandi Upazila under Bogra district. The study was conducted by applying both primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative data. Primary data were collected through 19 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) of 19 flood and river bank erosion affected villages under Sarikandi Sadar and Narchi unions of Sariakandi Upazila of Bogra district. Fifteen (15) participants participated in each FGD session. Farmers, fishermen, sharecroppers, small traders, teachers, religious leaders, day labors, and van pullers participated in the discussion. Women participants numbering 30% were also participated for the collection of relevant data to make gender sensitivity. Prior the conduction of focus group discussions, related templates such as vulnerabilities and its reasons with impacts and adaptation strategies were prepared for collection of real information from the participants. One workshop was also conducted at Upazila level at Sariakandi ensuring the participation of respective Upazila Nirbahi Officer and members of Upazila Disaster Management Committee (UzDMC). These discussions were conducted to justify, validate and improve the findings of village level’s discussion. Secondary data were collected from various publications of Government agencies i.e. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Institute of Water Modeling (IWM), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology etc.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education Volume 25, No. 1&2, 2013:35-43 ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Affected farmers due to climate change were unknown regarding modern technologies to adapt to the vulnerability of climatic events like flood and riverbank erosion. They have very poor adaptive capacities on cropping practice, livestock and fisheries including alternative livelihood aspects. To make adjustments with the extreme impacts of climate change, farmers should change their adaptive technologies. At the same time, some specific programs to be launched for crops, livestock, fisheries and other aspects. Proper training should also be arranged on adaptive technologies and other issues. Various government departments including NGOs should come forward to solve these problems. It is important to note that the farmers’ adaptations are mostly reactive types of responses to deal with these problems. It should be incorporated at the local level planning by various organizations, institutes and departments; and then disseminate to the national level.

Knowledge Management: Journal