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“The Significance of Community-based Adaptation Strategies in Sustaining Crop Production in Flood-Prone Northcentral Bangladesh”

Authors
Keywords:
Community Based Adaptation Strategies, Reduced Vulnerability, Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security, Sustainable Livelihood
Abstract

 

Background and Statement of the Problem: Floods are a periodic disaster in Bangladesh, severely affecting agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods, mostly alongside rivers. The Jamalpur district is situated in north-central part of Bangladesh and next to the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basins facing repeated flooding, damaging crops; hampering farming activities. In response to this challenge, community-based adaptation strategies have emerged as an important approach to increase resilience in flood prone areas. Main objective: This research explores the importance of community-based adaptation and explores how local farmers use their traditional knowledge, ecological practices, and strategies in the face of recurring floods. It also explores how floods have taken a positive turn in agriculture despite many adversities Methods and data: Focusing on three flood prone unions in the Melandah Upazila of Jamalpur region data collection involved interviews, observation, FGDs, KIIs, case studies, pen and paper and audio-visual methods. The data are analyzed in a thematic way. The sample size is about 40 out of a large population, as not all people are equally flood-affected or farmers. Purposive sampling to select experienced farmers, agricultural officers, local leaders, and nursery workers who can provide expert insights. To ensure data is gathered from relevant individuals with knowledge of adaptation strategies, judgmental sampling is also applied. Convenience sampling is used for quick, on-the-ground data collection, which helps capture immediate responses. Snowball sampling was employed to find new leaders using innovative techniques. Result: Some farmers have achieved stability in agriculture through some communal knowledge, while others, including educated and new-age farmers, are adopting new methods that are also bringing success to the community agriculture sector. The study confirms that recent adaptation is not just a survival process but a dynamic process of environmental management and social innovation. Valuing traditional knowledge, promoting equitable distribution of community-based knowledge, and institutionalizing grassroots-led initiatives will achieve local resilience in the face of climate change in other regions like Jamalpur. Concluding remarks: Farmers should be informed about modern agricultural practices and traditional adaptation techniques should be preserved. Traditional practices such as silt soil and crop rotation can be combined with modern methods. Local agricultural officials should be aware of new processes and form cooperatives for collective access to inputs and market opportunities. Increased training opportunities on flood-adaptation techniques should be provided to all farmers, including women. Encouraging women and men to engage in farming can accelerate the community-based adaptation process

Author Biographies
  1. Fabliha Afaf, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University

    Research Student, Department of Folklore

  2. Md. Rakibuzzaman, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University

    Assistant Professor, Department of Folklore

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Published
05/09/2026
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): JKKNIU Journal of Social Sciences
Section
Articles

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