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Sustainability of agricultural systems in the coastal zone of Bangladesh

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2015

Byomkesh Talukder ,
Md. Saifuzzaman  and
G.W. vanLoon
Byomkesh Talukder
Affiliation:
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada, N2L 3C5.
Md. Saifuzzaman
Affiliation:
Department of Geography and Environment, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
G.W. vanLoon*
Affiliation:
School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada, K7L 3N6.
*
*Corresponding author: vanloon@chem.queensu.ca
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Abstract

Transformations of the agricultural systems have been taking place in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. In different settings, farmers have become involved in massive shrimp cultivation, shrimp–rice cultivation, rice-based improved agricultural systems or shrimp–rice–vegetable-integrated systems. The long-term livelihood, food security and adaptation of the coastal people largely depend on the sustainability of these agricultural practices. In this context, assessing the level of sustainability is extremely important. The present study attempts to examine the sustainability of agricultural practices in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. A field study was carried out in five upazilas (counties) in the coastal zone. The data were collected through in-depth questionnaire surveys, focus groups discussions, field observation, key informants and secondary materials. A comprehensive suite of indicators was developed considering productivity, efficiency, stability, durability, compatibility and equity related to the coastal agriculture. The categories and the indicators were aggregated using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to measure the sustainability level of five study sites. The integrated agricultural system (shrimp–rice–vegetables) of Dumuria appeared to be the most sustainable system among agricultural practices, and other integrated systems (rice-based) of Kalaroa were also found to show a good level of sustainability. The massive shrimp cultivation system of Shyamnagar and Kaliganj appears to be the least sustainable. A traditional agriculture system with some improved methods followed in Bhola Sadar also performed in a satisfactory manner. Measuring agricultural sustainability in this way produces a useful summary of sustainability issues. The information generated from the study may be used in formulating policies for this part of the country. The holistic and interdisciplinary approach employed here has the potential to a useful framework for sustainability assessment.

Keywords

sustainability assessmentindicatorsMulti-Criteria Decision AnalysisBangladeshcoastal agriculture
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , April 2016 , pp. 148 - 165
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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