An Exploration of Disaster Risk in Farmer’s Community of Angaria Sub-sub-district in Bangladesh

Abstract

Aims: Analysis of risk, farmer’s perceptions on risk and their adaptation practices through exploration of agriculture based farmer’s community perceptions were lack on the perspective of Angaria sub-sub-district of Dumki sub-district of Patuakhali district in Bangladesh. That is why this study was conducted to gain understanding on agriculture farmers' risk profile, its impact and potential risk reduction strategy through community participation. Study Design: A total of 23 Focus Group Discussion’s (FGD) and 04 Key Informant Interviews (KII) were conducted. A well structured pretested questionnaire schedule was developed keeping in mind the objectives and variables under this study. Place and Duration of Study: Angaria sub-sub-district of Dumki sub-district of Patuakhali district in Bangladesh, from January, 2015 to May, 2015. Methodology: Primary data was collected through face to face FGD, KII methods and extensive field visit. Secondary data was collected from different secondary sources. Results: The agriculture sector of the study area is potentially exposed by different primary and secondary risk factors such as cyclone, flood, drought, pest attack etc. which threats to agriculture production and pose the farmers to make their livelihood diversified. But due to the changing trend in risk profiles; increasing its persistence time and frequency and intensity, farmers' adaptation capacities and sustainability are more exposed to vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the farmers are decreasing in the study area. They are transforming from on-farm agriculture practices to nonfarm alternative livelihood options –not as innovative adaptive resilient options. Conclusion: Recurring disasters phenomena threatened and undermined farmers capacity to adaptations, resulted more dependence on alternative nonfarm livelihood options than appropriate on farm adaptive options. Future extensive field based research in these regards will fulfill the required information to get the most efficient small farmers friendly risk management plan which will be beneficiary to the country by establishing climate smart disaster risk management in agriculture sector.