Examining the nexus between climate change perceptions and good agricultural practices: a focus on coastal regions of Bangladesh
摘要
Understanding the implication of climate change is an urgent prerequisite in regional adaptation strategies to abate the consequences on human settlements. The current research investigated the interrelation of farming practices with the perceptions regarding climate change in coastal districts of Bangladesh, are highly exposed to climate-induced risks. The influence of socio-demographic factors and climate perceptions on agricultural practices was assessed by collecting primary data from 450 respondents across three coastal regions. A binary logit model and principal component analysis (PCA) analysis was applied in this regard. The research findings reflect the negative consequences of climate change in the study areas, such as increased salinity, fluctuating temperature, erratic rainfall, and disease outbreaks. In case of good agricultural practices (GAPs), our study finds that farmers are trying to overcome all the consequences by adopting GAPs such as a notable proportion of farmers, about 85% brought chemicals from licensed suppliers, around 74% followed recommended dosages, and 71% regularly wore personal protective equipment (PPE). Along with this, other beneficial agricultural practices were also observed such as practicing organic manure in the field, proper harvesting methods and maintaining farm machinery. Key factors influencing these practices include information access, education level, training days and a comprehensive understanding of climate impacts on agriculture. The study underlines the role of targeted regulations and awareness campaigns in improving environmentally sustainable farming and deepening the understanding of climate change within the agricultural community. If communication exposure, educational attainment, and climate awareness increases, it may appear to influence the adoption of eco-friendly agricultural practices among farmers in climate vulnerable regions.