In the battle against climate change, farmers in Bangladesh’s coastal regions are adopting new agricultural technologies, but the journey is fraught with challenges. A recent study published in the *International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology* (translated from Bengali) sheds light on the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies in these vulnerable areas. The research, led by Md. Abu Touhid Mia from the Department of Agricultural Science at Dhaka Residential Model College, offers insights into the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of CSA and the potential for future growth.
The study, conducted in 2022, surveyed 354 farmers from three coastal districts: Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat. The findings reveal that 57.91% of farmers have a medium level of adoption of CSA technologies, with 22.88% showing high adoption and 19.21% poor adoption. The most widely adopted technology is the use of thread or plastic pipes for irrigation, highlighting the practical steps farmers are taking to adapt to their changing environment.
“Farmers’ annual agricultural income, extension contact, training exposure, knowledge of CSA, and attitude towards CSA significantly positively contribute to their adoption of CSA,” Mia explains. This underscores the importance of education and support services in driving the adoption of new technologies.
The study also emphasizes the role of extension services, community-based training, and awareness campaigns in escalating farmers’ adoption of CSA. “Extension services, community-based training, and awareness campaigns can play a vital role in escalating farmers’ adoption of CSA,” Mia notes. This suggests that targeted interventions can make a significant difference in how quickly and effectively farmers adapt to climate-smart practices.
The commercial implications of this research are substantial. As the energy sector increasingly focuses on sustainability and resilience, the adoption of CSA technologies can lead to more stable and productive agricultural systems. This, in turn, can support the broader economy by ensuring food security and reducing the impact of climate-related disasters.
Looking ahead, the research points to the need for practical support to enable farmers to adopt and sustain CSA. This could include financial incentives, improved access to technology, and ongoing education and training. By addressing these needs, the agricultural sector can become more resilient to climate change, benefiting both farmers and the wider economy.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the insights from this study offer a roadmap for building climate resilience in agriculture. By understanding the factors that drive the adoption of CSA technologies, we can better support farmers in their efforts to adapt and thrive in a changing climate.