Farmers’ adaptation strategies towards soil salinity effects in sunflower cultivation: A gender-based analysis of some selected south-central coastal areas in Bangladesh

Rising salinity levels in the coastal regions of Bangladesh, driven by climate change, significantly affect agricultural productivity. Adaptation strategies to mitigate the effects of salinity are crucial for increasing crop production. This paper examines the adaptation strategies employed by male and female sunflower farmers in response to salinity intrusion in the south-central coastal zones of Bangladesh. We collected data through a household survey of 50 men and 50 women, supplemented by interviews and focus group discussions with farmers. The sample size was determined using a probabilistic sampling method. The questionnaire included open-ended and closed-ended questions and pretested with farmers before conducting final interview. Our results indicated that significant variables influencing adaptation strategies among male sunflower farmers included age, communication exposure, and training experience (p < 0.05). For female sunflower farmers, significant factors were age, communication exposure, training experience, and cultivated sunflower area (p < 0.01). Both regression models exhibited a satisfactory fit. Additionally, the primary adaptation strategies adopted by both male and female farmers included the application of fertilizers and pesticides. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in formulating future farm-level gender based adaptation strategies for cultivating sunflower.