Addressing Farmer’s Perceptions-attitudes and Constraints to Adopt Agroforestry adjacent to the Coastal Belt of Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Abstract

Agroforestry is receiving a win-win strategy for low-income countries through increasing attention in Bangladesh especially in the coastal region because of its capacity to address some of the negative consequences of intensive agriculture with sustainable perceptions, attitudes, and management through farmers both locally and globally. As the actual uptake and maintenance of agroforestry in proximity to the coastal area by farmers remains low and that is why this research work investigates agroforestry practices e.g., Homestead agroforestry, boundary plantation, mixed plantation, cropland agroforestry, agrisilvicultural systems, Agro-aqua silviculture, and Agro-aquaculture systems on a sustainable basis with a view to find out the farmers ‘perceptions and attitudes through identifying their constraints and problems with potential opportunities to adopt agroforestry in Satkhira district of Bangladesh. A sample of 80 respondents selected randomly was interviewed through a semi-structured interview schedule individually and a multistage random sampling technique was adopted to conduct the study. Therefore, results revealed that middle-aged farmers (36-50) (46%) are interested in agroforestry practice than a traditional practice. The adoption of younger (26-35) 35% farmers is increasing day by day since they have had more schooling than the older generation or perhaps have been exposed to new ideas as a migrant. Illiteracy (56%) has primary level of education) is the main reason for non-adoption of agroforestry. The farmers (28%) they taken lease from other people who have no own land they are not interested in agroforestry. Farmers (47%) are interested in agro-aquaculture practice, because high cash return get from this practice. About 68.7% respondents have taken positively agroforestry practice, but they have no training skill or facility. If they get this facility, they are more interested in agroforestry practice. Finally result mentioned that 76.25% respondents perceived agroforestry positively and most of the farmer’s (68.7%) have positive attitude towards it whilst maximum farmers (80%) think agroforestry system should be expanded. This research indicates that agroforestry is a catalyst factor which can be adopted more through directed programs, policies and practices by government and its related agencies from this positive perceptions and attitudes of this research. Thus, agroforestry is a sustainable potential land use in the long term through combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors interact and drive adoption can help integrating technologies appropriately to ensure sustainability adjacent to the coastal region of Sundarbans of Bangladesh.