Disaster Risk Identification in Agriculture Sector: Farmer’s Perceptions and Mitigation practices in Faridpur

Abstract

Study on disaster risk identification in agriculture and farmer’s perceptions and mitigation practices was lack on the perspective of Faridpur district of Bangladesh during this research. The purpose of this study was to have understanding of farmers’ perception and mitigation practices towards disaster risk and climate change impacts adopted by the victim community at Faridpur district of Bangladesh. Primary data was collected through individual household interviews, field observation and secondary data was attained by accessing the relevant information from different media sources. Results showed that the agriculture sector of the study areas are potentially exposed by different risk factors phenomenon e.g. drought, flood, insect/pests attack, lack of quality seed etc. Study has discovered variations in risk perceptions which are influenced by several socio-economic factors like age, gender, livelihood, level of education and socio-economic conditions etc. Recurring phenomenon of hazards and increasing threats to agriculture provided the farmers diversified opportunities to make their livelihood more sustainable. They are more aware about their risks and what they could do to reduce their exposure on the impacts of future disaster risks. Farmers have adopted different mitigation strategies e.g. changing cropping pattern, use of resistant/tolerant variety, good management practice, integrated pest management practices, use of hybrid variety etc. Risks assessment and utilization of such risk assessment results will be helpful to develop the most efficient farmer’s friendly risk management plan. Which will be benefited the country to establish climate smart disaster risk management in agriculture sector.