AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION FOR LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF THE FARMERS IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The purposes of the study were to determine the extent and pattern of agricultural diversification and its influencing factors, to measure the level of livelihood security among diversified farmers, to examine the association between agricultural diversification and livelihood security, and to identify the constraints faced by farmers in adopting agricultural diversification along with possible suggestions to overcome them. Data were collected from August to December 2024 using a pretested interview schedule from farmers in six villages of the Kurigram, Thakurgaon, and Dinajpur districts of Bangladesh. In addition, qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions (FGDs) and case studies. A multistage random sampling technique was employed to select 348 farmers from a population of 2,720. Fifteen selected characteristics of the farmers were considered as independent variables, while agricultural diversification was treated as the primary dependent variable. The Simpson’s Index of Diversity reveal that the average agricultural diversification index (ADI) was 0.599, indicating a medium level of agricultural diversification in northern Bangladesh. Among the three locations, Charland farmers in Kurigram district exhibited the highest ADI (0.610), followed by Upland farmers in Thakurgaon district (0.596) and Barind Tract farmers in Dinajpur district (0.588). Out of the 15 characteristics, 11 were significantly correlated with agricultural diversification. Regression analysis showed that six variables jointly explained 50.3 percent of the variation in agricultural diversification. Market accessibility contributed the most (23.2%), followed by decision-making ability (12.1%), extension media contact (6.9%), farm size (3.7%), risk orientation (3.3%), and credit-seeking behaviour (1.2%). Path analysis indicated that market accessibility, decision-making ability, extension media contact, risk orientation, and credit-seeking behaviour had direct positive effects, while farm size had a direct negative effect on agricultural diversification. The majority of the farmers (84.77%) had average to poor levels of livelihood security. A statistically significant positive association (χ² = 24.328, p < 0.01) was observed between agricultural diversification and livelihood security. The most severe constraint faced by farmers was the higher price of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides (CFI = 268.97), whereas untimely availability of good-quality inputs was the least severe constraint (CFI = 177.30). Overall, highest portion (70.11%) of the respondents experienced a medium level of constraints, 19.25 percent faced low constraints, and 12.36 percent encountered high constraints in adopting agricultural diversification. To overcome these constraints, farmers suggested ten measures, among which the most frequently mentioned (85.00%) was ensuring proper market facilities at the village level.