Vulnerability of Agricultural Production due to Natural Disaster at Mongla Upazila (Sub District) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Mongla upazila (sub district) of Bangladesh has the traditional practice of agriculture but now is extremely vulnerable due to frequent and intensive recurring phenomenon of natural hazards such as salinity intrusion, water logging, flood, cyclone and tidal surges. Therefore, this study was conducted for the assessment of vulnerability and its potential impacts on agricultural productions. This study was also focused to develop a strategy for minimizing the vulnerability. A total of 12 Focus Group Discussion’s (FGD) and 5 Key Informant Interviews (KII) were conducted. A well-organized survey questionnaire was developed and used considering objectives and variables throughout this survey. Primary data was collected by face to face interviews, oral talk with local experts, FGD, KII methods and 3 time field visits. Secondary data was collected from different books, reports, daily newspapers, journal articles, research thesis. The major findings of this study were the causes of severely vulnerability of the production of two main crops that is Aman and Boro and also the agricultural labor. Furthermore, the drinking water was also found as severely vulnerable. This study was also revealed that, 88% respondent opined that the salinity has decreasing agriculture productions due to water logging followed by 4%. In contrast, 81% respondent opined that, the agriculture based occupation is shifting besides; 14% viewed that migration was also increased (climate refugee) due to salinity problem and 79% respondent viewed that, saline tolerant rice (HYV) cultivation is taken as a part of adaptation option. Furthermore, this study also emphasized that, the importance of adaptation of introducing saline tolerant rice varieties; re-excavation of canals, streams, and rivers. Moreover, it is suggested that the negotiation between local leaders and farmers to stop conversion of agriculture based lands into shrimp cultivation lands (gher) may be played as vital role to minimize the vulnerability of sustainable agricultural productions.