Crop Production Patterns and Marketing in Char Areas: Adapting to Hazards and Vulnerability

Abstract

Agriculture is the means of livelihood for most of the people living in chars in Bangladesh. However, due to the dynamic hydro-morphology and distinct physiography, these chars are highly vulnerable to hazards like flood, erosion, drought, hailstorm and cold wave, which substantially affect agriculture in those areas. This chapter highlights the coping strategies and adaptation measures adopted by char dwellers in view of these hazards from a market system perspective for three common crops—chilli, maize and jute—found in char areas. Case study locations include chars along the Jamuna River. Following the approach of participatory research, information was collected from input sellers, producers, traders, processors and retailers associated with chilli, maize and jute marketing system. Agriculture in chars surely faces additional uncertainty due to environmental hazards that ultimately results in financial losses for the producers. After a careful analysis of a range of potential adaptation options in agriculture, the current study recommends a number of measures that address the specific needs in the context of chars.