<p>The southwestern coastal regions of Bangladesh are highly exposed to climate-induced extreme weather events such as cyclones. This study empirically investigated the impact of cyclones Amphan (2020) and Bulbul (2019) on fish production, more specifically, shrimp production at Khulna and Satkhira districts in the southwestern coastal regions of Bangladesh. A total of 480 shrimp farmers (240 from cyclone-affected and 240 from unaffected areas) were surveyed using face-to-face in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs). A set of statistical methods, including Cobb-Douglas production function using OLS and panel fixed-effects regression models, was employed to carry out the research objectives. The estimated results from OLS regression indicated that cyclone-affected shrimp producers incurred on average, 25% and 24% production losses from Amphan and Bulbul, respectively compared with the unaffected farmers. In real terms, on average farmers lost 31 and 28 maunds of shrimp yield due to cyclone Amphan and cyclone Bulbul, respectively. Besides, results from panel regression also provided statistical evidence of declining shrimp production during the cyclone compared with the pre-cyclone periods. A few inputs, such as land had a consistent positive impact on shrimp production in Satkhira, while labor cost played a more significant role in Khulna region. These findings emphasize the policy implications for recovery and resilience-building strategies to address the vulnerabilities of shrimp farmers in the cyclone-prone regions, thereby mitigating future cyclone impacts and ensuring sustainable aquaculture practices.</p>

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Weathering the storm: economic consequences of cyclones Amphan and Bulbul for fish farmers in Bangladesh

  • Sudipa Basu

摘要

The southwestern coastal regions of Bangladesh are highly exposed to climate-induced extreme weather events such as cyclones. This study empirically investigated the impact of cyclones Amphan (2020) and Bulbul (2019) on fish production, more specifically, shrimp production at Khulna and Satkhira districts in the southwestern coastal regions of Bangladesh. A total of 480 shrimp farmers (240 from cyclone-affected and 240 from unaffected areas) were surveyed using face-to-face in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs). A set of statistical methods, including Cobb-Douglas production function using OLS and panel fixed-effects regression models, was employed to carry out the research objectives. The estimated results from OLS regression indicated that cyclone-affected shrimp producers incurred on average, 25% and 24% production losses from Amphan and Bulbul, respectively compared with the unaffected farmers. In real terms, on average farmers lost 31 and 28 maunds of shrimp yield due to cyclone Amphan and cyclone Bulbul, respectively. Besides, results from panel regression also provided statistical evidence of declining shrimp production during the cyclone compared with the pre-cyclone periods. A few inputs, such as land had a consistent positive impact on shrimp production in Satkhira, while labor cost played a more significant role in Khulna region. These findings emphasize the policy implications for recovery and resilience-building strategies to address the vulnerabilities of shrimp farmers in the cyclone-prone regions, thereby mitigating future cyclone impacts and ensuring sustainable aquaculture practices.