EFFECTS OF FLOOD ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL FARMERS UNDER THE SADAR UPAZILLA OF GAIBANDHA DISTRICT

Abstract

Floods have caused difficulty in mobility, increased risk for living at houses, and erosion of social assets. Likewise, damage of agricultural production, livestock and fisheries were occured. Increased health hazards, loss of agricultural production, less return from animal husbandry, poor performance of social institutions, changes in cropping pattern and reduction in the crop production are immediate effects of flood on the livelihood of farmers. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of flood on the livelihood of rural farmers under the Sadar Upazilla of Gaibandha district and explore the contribution of the selected characteristics of the growers on their livelihood status due to effects of flood. The selected characteristics were age, education, family size, farm size, annual family income, training exposure, extension contact and innovativeness. Data were gathered from proportionally and randomly selected 101 farmers of two villages of Poshim Komornoi and Fakirpara of Sadar upazila under Gaibandha district by using a pretested interview schedule during the period of 1 st September to 30 October, 2021. Apart from descriptive statistical methods, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient analysis was used in order to analyze the data. Findings indicated that the majority (46.53%) of the respondents belongs to medium livelihood status, 32.67% belongs to high and 20.79% were under low livelihood status. Out of eight selected characteristics of the respondents, education, annual family income and extension contact had positive significant relationship with their livelihood status due to effects of flood. The rest of the variables namely: age, family size, farm size, training exposure and innovativeness did not show any significant relationships their livelihood status due to effects of flood. To upgrade livelihood status of the study area; educational status, training program in different aspect, motivational campaigning and provide guidance and also increasing of awareness of flooding effect by different GO and NGO extension agencies are necessary.