Exploring farmers’ perception of climate-induced events and adaptation practices to protect crop production and livestock farming in the Haor area of north-eastern Bangladesh

Bangladesh is confronting terrible impacts of climate change on agriculture across the country, especially in low-lying area like Haor , coastal region, and islands. This socioeconomic study ( N = 320) examines the perception and knowledge of farmers on climate-induced events and experiences, and explores the adaptation practices they adopt to protect crop production and livestock farming from the impact of climate change in the north-eastern Haor area of the country. Using triangulation method, it is detected that farmers of the study area have an erroneous idea on climate change and the causes of frequent climate extremes. Study results show that respondents’ perception and experiences on climate-induced events are verified positively with the historical trend and time-series analysis of climate indicators as well as with the findings of researchers using Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and techniques. This study explores the traditional and systematic adaptation approaches of farmers which are practised at the individual or community level. The rationale of each of the approaches from the respondents’ side is also analysed in the study. It is statistically tested using Chi-square that some of the scientific and systematic adaptation options for crop production are predominantly influenced by the educational qualifications of the respondents. The study reveals that lack of proper information prevents subsistence farmers to find the most effective adaptation pathways.