Occupation Pattern of Waterlogged People: A Study on the South-West Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Water logging hinders normal life of people and lowers their socioeconomic status. Disruption of regular crop and fish cultivation compels farmers to pursue alternative crops and methods of cultivation to adapt with changes and to shift from their traditional occupations. Push factors are mainly responsible for waterlogged peoples' occupational changes. Unemployment, underemployment, and migration are three important consequences of water logging. Waterlogged people are trying to face these consequences through adjusting their occupation pattern. The adjustment process requires credit and training facilities. However, existing credit and training programs are insufficient and costly. Therefore, initiatives for providing sufficient credit and training facilities at favorable terms and conditions need to be taken by the government and NGOs immediately. However, permanent solution of the problem requires long-run planned initiatives to remove the logged water which will contribute to reverse the migration trend, reduce unemployment and underemployment, increase agricultural production and finally boost up income level.