Crop diversification in southwest coastal Bangladesh: insights into farming adaptation
Md. Ali Akber, Md. Atikul Islam, Md. Munsur Rahman, Rezaur Rahman
Abstract
Rapid changes of croplands to shrimp farms in southwest coastal Bangladesh has resulted in remarkable social and ecological consequences. Subsistence-oriented smallholder farmers across the shrimp producing areas of southwest Bangladesh are widely adopting crop diversification techniques as a response to negative environmental changes and associated risks of crop failure. Cultivating multiple crops (including rice, non-rice crops, shrimp/fish, vegetables, and livestock) in various combinations through the year could be sustainable farming adaptation as it minimizes both economic and environmental risks. It also potentially promotes women participation in subsistence-oriented farming activities including homestead gardening and cattle rearing. Crop diversification in southwest coastal Bangladesh has critical implications for coastal land management.