Farmers’ adaptations strategies towards soil salinity effects in agriculture: the interior coast of Bangladesh

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, we critically analyze the general and climate-smart adaptation strategies used by farmers in four sub-districts in southern Bangladesh to address the effects of soil salinity in agriculture. Data were collected from 360 respondents using face-to-face interviews and were analyzed using multiple analyses (variance inflation factor, ordinary least squares, Tukey’s post hoc test). The adaptations used by farmers to manage the impacts of soil salinity in agriculture were significantly influenced by their age, education, family size, farm size, level of contact with agricultural extension department officials, and their training experience. Farmers found adult education programmes particularly useful, since they focused on smart technique(s) rather than traditional approaches for agricultural development. Adaptation was comparatively more common in ‘early adapters’ and ‘early majority’ (slower to adapt) farmers. Our analysis suggests that climate-smart agriculture (CSA) programmes should be implemented in all affected sub-districts and similarly affected parts of the world. Extension workers should provide face-to-face demonstrations to affected farmers and support them with self-help programmes, which can help to attenuate and minimize the effects of soil salinity on agriculture. It will also be important to provide agricultural innovation support to affected farmers to cope with the adverse effects of soil salinity. Effective extension services are key to increasing farmers’ access to innovative information and advice. Key policy insights A philosophy of ‘learning by viewing’ for climate-smart agricultural innovations may encourage them to adopt adaptation strategies to minimize the impacts of soil salinity on agriculture. Training programmes could be offered to farmers by the Department of Agricultural Extension, especially to target innovators and early adopters of climate-smart practices, supporting them with a ‘self-help’ approach. A motivational approach and good communication skills play a vital role when introducing new adaptation strategies. A climate-smart investment plan could identify policy opportunities to further develop agriculture actions to combat climate change. Building resilience to global climate change would help to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes across farming communities.