Abstract:

Climate change has a direct effect on overall livestock sector and as a result has an indirect effect on livestock rearing farmers. However, the study was conducted considering specific objectives: i) to determine the socioeconomic profile of the respondent farmers; ii) to depict the present livestock scenarios; iii) to study the climate change scenario in areas and iv) to delineate the effects of climate change on income vulnerability status of the respondents. Four districts namely Barguna, Bhola, Lalmanirhat and Kurigram of Bangladesh were selected on the basis of frequency of climate change events. Taltoli and Charfashion Upazilas were more prone to natural catastrophic of cyclone and tidal surge; and Lalmanirhat and Bhurungamari Upazilas were severely vulnerable of flood and draught. Simple random sampling method was used to collect primary data with a structured questionnaire. Total sample size was 300. Both tabular and statistical techniques were used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, average, percentage, ratios were also estimated and STATA software was used to analyse the vulnerability status. The study found that 77% farmers were in age group 50 to 65 followed by 20%, 66 to 80 and 3% above 80 years old. 77% farmers had agriculture as their primary occupation followed by 15% business and 8% service. Average family size was found 5.56 which were higher than the national average 4.9 (HIES 2014) and farm size indicates small farm category which was 1.1 hectare. On average, farmers had 41 years of farming experience. Among the sampled farmers, 81% of the respondents opined that major livestock species were reducing over the last three decades. Livestock population was reducing over the years and 56% respondents stated this scenario. On the other hand, livestock rearing cost was increasing alarmingly and it was found 4.45 times compared to three decades ago. The study found a scenario of major livestock population which indicated that livestock population per household was declining over the decades. Among the studied farm household 93% and 84% were found vulnerable at present and 30 years ago, respectively. At present and 30 years ago average vulnerability was estimated 0.93 and 0.85, respectively. Heat stroke, repeat breeding and less conception rate fall livestock production into jeopardized condition. In conclusion, we can say that to give more attention to our native genetic resource potentialities and it would be wise to adopt new technologies and to adapt with predictable and unpredictable climate change for sustainable and profitable livestock enterprise in future.