FACTORS INFLUENCING RICE FARMERS’ ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENT IMPACTS IN BANGLADESH

Introduction: Climate change has emerged as a major threat to Bangladesh. Higher and fluctuating temperatures and changes in rainfall caused by climate change and extreme weather events have reduced crop production. A better understanding of the local dimensions of vulnerability is therefore essential to develop appropriate adaptation measures that can alleviate these adverse impacts. Purpose and methods: The main purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of Aman rice farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change and weather in Khulna district, Bangladesh. About 100 farm households susceptible to salinity intrusion, extreme temperatures and drought were surveyed, and these data were supplemented by major climate data of the district for 65 years (1948–2013). A binary logistic regression was then utilized to estimate the factors that influence households’ choice of adaptation strategies. Results and Conclusions: About 97% of farmers perceived that the climate had changed over the past 30 years while only 3% did not. Further, 97% believed that rainfall had decreased and reduced rice production, yet the data show this not to be the case with a significant increase in rainfall observed in the area in the study period. About 89% of farmers have undertaken some form(s) of adaptation and they were further asked about their main adaptation type. Family size, annual income, farmer-to-farmer extension and access to subsidies have a positive and significant impact on rice farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate and weather change effects. Farm size and credit access had a negative and significant impact on adaptation. Four variables: age, education, household assets and occupation were not statistically significant in explaining adaption strategies. The chief adaptation strategies of farmers are cultivation of salinity-tolerant rice, rice variety switching, replanting of rice, changing planting dates, conversion of rice paddy to fish production and use of different crop varieties in alternate years.