Farmers’ perceptions, determinants of adoption, and impact on food security: case of climate change adaptation measures in coastal Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Coastal households in Bangladesh are exposed to a variety of extreme climate events, which represent a major threat to food security. However, there is a dearth of empirical research on the adoption and impact of climate change (CC) adaptation measures on food security. Using cross-sectional data from 750 households, this study investigates farmers’ perceptions of CC, the drivers of adaptation measures, and the impact on the household food security in coastal areas of Bangladesh. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate probit, and propensity score matching. According to the findings, most respondents believed that CC is occurring. Climate change adaptation measures were classified into six categories. Borrowing and selling of assets, as well as off-farm labour employment, were used as adaptation measures by more than 85% of the households. Crop farming-related adaptation measure was used by around 47% of the households. Among the explanatory factors, cultivable land area, farming experience, access to climate information, yearly income, and location of households had a significant role in the choice to use adaptation measures. The findings suggested that agriculture-based adaptation measures, such as a change in crop farming technique, significantly reduced food insecurity, whereas off-farm labour employment, as well as borrowing and selling of assets, increased it (as measured on the household food insecurity access scale [HFIAS]). This analysis suggests that government and non-governmental organizations operating in coastal communities may want to prioritize actions to increase understanding and access to climate information amongst farmers and other households. Policies that are location-specific and specific to farmers’ needs must also be developed to fully reap the benefits of adaptation measures.

Key policy insights

• Future measures should focus on increasing coastal households’ capabilities and enhancing their understanding and access to climate information.

• Adaptation measures, such as borrowing and selling assets, increase household food insecurity. Therefore, adoption of agriculture-based adaptation measures should be emphasized in coastal region’s development policies.

• Greater attention should be paid to the exposed coastal areas, where the implementation of adaptation measures is found to be lower than in the interior coastal areas.

• Creating permanent off-farm employment opportunities as opposed to temporary off-farm work may also aid in adapting to climate change while also contributing to food security.

KEYWORDS:

• Adaptation
• climate change
• food insecurity
• multivariate probit
• propensity score matching

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Islamic Development Bank and the World Academy of Sciences (IsDB-TWAS).