Scholarlink

<p>This study explores crop diversification (CD) in smallholder farming systems in the coastal zone of the Ganges Delta in southern Bangladesh, which faces significant environmental challenges such as drought, erratic rainfall, soil salinity, waterlogging, and cyclones. These factors undermine agricultural sustainability and contribute to poverty and food insecurity. This research examines how environmental, farm resource, and socioeconomic factors influence CD across 200 farms in the Barguna, Khulna, and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. The Herfindahl index was used to measure crop diversity, showing an average value of 0.36, indicating moderate concentration and relatively high diversity, although half of the farmers exhibited higher values. The Fractional Probit model findings show that environmental factors such as reduced waterlogging and soil salinity positively influenced CD, while farm resources like access to irrigation, number of land parcels, and access to machinery facilitated greater diversity. Socioeconomic factors, such as greater distance from markets and the availability of hired labour, also promoted CD, but seasonal migration of the household head and low household savings hindered it. The study found that Khulna exhibited greater CD, while tidal flooding limited agricultural potential in Patuakhali district . The study recommends improving environmental and socioeconomic conditions in Bangladesh’s coastal farming systems through targeted soil rehabilitation, drainage and irrigation, expansion of water infrastructure and harvesting solutions, and improving access to affordable mechanisation. Strengthening rural infrastructure and financial tools, such as crop insurance and low-interest loans, will enhance resilience, farm incomes, and long-term sustainability. Tailored strategies are recommended for the Khulna and Patuakhali districts to support region-specific cropping systems and diversification.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Agro-environmental and socioeconomic determinants of crop diversification in salinity-affected coastal production systems of Bangladesh: an empirical analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月2日

查看全文
  • Mohammad Chhiddikur Rahman,
  • Md. Monirul Islam,
  • Mst. Esmat Ara Begum,
  • Afroza Chowdhury,
  • Arifa Jannat,
  • Mahanam Das,
  • Mohammed Mainuddin,
  • Marta Monjardino

摘要

This study explores crop diversification (CD) in smallholder farming systems in the coastal zone of the Ganges Delta in southern Bangladesh, which faces significant environmental challenges such as drought, erratic rainfall, soil salinity, waterlogging, and cyclones. These factors undermine agricultural sustainability and contribute to poverty and food insecurity. This research examines how environmental, farm resource, and socioeconomic factors influence CD across 200 farms in the Barguna, Khulna, and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. The Herfindahl index was used to measure crop diversity, showing an average value of 0.36, indicating moderate concentration and relatively high diversity, although half of the farmers exhibited higher values. The Fractional Probit model findings show that environmental factors such as reduced waterlogging and soil salinity positively influenced CD, while farm resources like access to irrigation, number of land parcels, and access to machinery facilitated greater diversity. Socioeconomic factors, such as greater distance from markets and the availability of hired labour, also promoted CD, but seasonal migration of the household head and low household savings hindered it. The study found that Khulna exhibited greater CD, while tidal flooding limited agricultural potential in Patuakhali district . The study recommends improving environmental and socioeconomic conditions in Bangladesh’s coastal farming systems through targeted soil rehabilitation, drainage and irrigation, expansion of water infrastructure and harvesting solutions, and improving access to affordable mechanisation. Strengthening rural infrastructure and financial tools, such as crop insurance and low-interest loans, will enhance resilience, farm incomes, and long-term sustainability. Tailored strategies are recommended for the Khulna and Patuakhali districts to support region-specific cropping systems and diversification.