Agricultural Adaptation Practices in Coastal Bangladesh: Response to Climate Change Impacts

Debanjali Saha, Md. Shahriar Shafayet Hossain, M. Shahjahan Mondal and Rezaur Rahman

Agriculture is one of the major livelihoods in the coastal Bangladesh and future changed climate is likely to affect the agricultural activities. Different adaptation measures have been taken in response to climate change in coastal Bangladesh. In this study, the agricultural adaptation practices were documented and analyzed according to different criteria to determine the present condition of coastal agriculture under the threat of climate change. Most of the adaptations are found to be practiced in the exterior coastal districts and are taken in response to chronic stresses such as salinity and regular flood and sudden shocks like cyclone and storm surge. Major forms of adaptations are improved crop variety, innovative cropping technique and infrastructural development. Though most of them are found to be sustainable in the long term, they are expected to face some barriers. Also, gender dimension is not addressed in many of these practices. Proper management and maintenance, coordination among implementing organizations, policy formulation and good governance are necessary for the success of future planned adaptations in the coastal region. This will ensure stability of the agricultural activities and development of the coastal inhabitants thus safeguarding the national food security.