Adaptation Strategies Undertaken by the Community to Reduce Impacts of Shrimp Cultivation on Agriculture: A Study at Parulia Union, Satkhira (Bangladesh)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Prodhan, Shamima^{; *} | Sikder, Bivuti Bhusan | Nasreen, Mahbuba

Affiliations: Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, University of Dhaka, Dhaka – 1000, Bangladesh

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. [email protected]

Abstract: This study focuses on some unique adaptation strategies presently embraced by the farmers of Parulia Union, Satkhira, Bangladesh who have been affected by salinity intrusion resulting from shrimp farming. The fallouts triggering diverse vulnerabilities too invoke many technical issues of adaptation and overall agricultural patterns. The indigenous adaptation approaches undertaken by the farmers individually or at community level with the support, training and expertise from various organizations have entailed substantial results and set a benchmark. Household data shows that 86% of the respondents of this area are involved in shrimp cultivation whereas 19.6% in agriculture and 1.67% in freshwater fish culture. But only 48% of the farmers adopted various adaptation measures and the majority (51.8%) of them did not. A case study has also been included to support the findings. Finally, it has been found that the techniques applied are feasible for the increase in gross production in agriculture, freshwater fisheries and other forms of farming thus meeting socioeconomic needs along with environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Adaptation strategies, agriculture, salinity, indigenous, sustainability

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-170033

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 21-30, 2017