Multiple Income-Generating Activities:

A Way to Resilience for the Waterlog Community in Bangladesh

RAWNAQ ARA PARVIN1, MD. FAISAL-E-ALAM2, RUI ALEXANDRE CASTANHO3,4,

LUÍS LOURES5

Varendra University, Rajshahi-6204,

BANGLADESH

BRAZIL

Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre,

PORTUGAL

mixed method, including a household survey, field visit, in-depth interview, and key informant interview, was

used to collect data based on the purposive sampling technique. The collected quantitative and qualitative data

were analyzed using percentage measures and narrative processes, respectively, and interpreted in the socio-

cultural context to give a specific form and basis to the study. The study revealed that marginal farmers in

Malopara village are particularly vulnerable to biodiversity losses that threaten their lives and livelihoods. To

address these challenges, the study also found multiple income-generating activities as a way of community-

based adaptation. This approach would help reduce food insecurity and provide alternative sources of income

for small farmers, who are most affected by the changing climate.

Key-Words: - Climate change, Waterlogging, Coastal farmers, Livelihood, Income generating activities,

Rural livelihoods are complex and dynamic,

influenced by daily survival uncertainty. It involves

individuals, households, or groups meeting

consumption and economic necessities, coping with

uncertainties, and responding to new opportunities.

Bangladesh, being highly susceptible to climate

change, is recognized as one of the world’s most

climate-vulnerable nations. Its rural population, in

particular, faces significant challenges due to the

effects of climate change, such as floods and

Bangladesh is crucial for promoting sustainable

livelihoods and resilience in the face of climate

change impacts. The waterlogging community in

Bangladesh, in particular the southwestern part, is

affected by seasonal flooding and waterlogging,

[3], [4], which often result in damage to crops, [5],

loss of livestock, [6], and limited access to clean

water and sanitation facilities, [7]. The prolonged

waterlogging has resulted in the roots of trees

rotting, fruit trees dying off, and vegetation dying

fragile human livelihoods, [12]. Thus, the

symbiotic link between human culture and natural

systems is being brought to our attention by climate

change.

flooding, including riverine, flash, and coastal

floods. Intensified severe rainfall, tropical cyclones,

and related storm surges are anticipated to increase

coastal, river, and flash floods, endangering

people's lives as well as infrastructure and the

community, making them more vulnerable to

poverty and other risks. Small-scale farmers suffer

the most from the agricultural damage brought on

by their vulnerability to natural disasters since they

are completely dependent on farming for their lives

and livelihoods. Further, dependence on rapidly

reducing and depleting natural resources leads to

environmental degradation.

one of the most significant challenges faced by the

Efforts to mitigate the impacts of waterlogging and

restore the affected ecosystem are essential to

safeguarding the long-term sustainability and

resilience of both the environment and the

livelihoods of the affected communities. The

waterlogged community in Bangladesh has limited

income. Due to the seasonal nature of agriculture

and frequent flooding, many households struggle to

meet their basic needs throughout the year. In

addition, the lack of alternative livelihood options

further exacerbates their vulnerability. In this

context, this study aims to explore the potential of

multiple income-generating activities that have

emerged as a potential strategy to build the

resilience of the waterlogging community in

Bangladesh.

reduce poverty, increase household income, and

improve livelihoods, [17]. Likewise, promoting

income-generating activities can also contribute to

gender empowerment by providing opportunities

for women to participate in income-generating

activities and increasing their decision-making

power within households, [18]. Besides, it is

believed that gender equality is one of the critical

pillars of socioeconomic development. In addition,

income-generating activities can promote

develop interventions aimed at upholding

sustainable livelihoods and reducing poverty in the

waterlogged community.

livelihood adaptation strategic studies as there are

many published articles available on different

domains of knowledge, based on waterlogging and

agriculture, and the application of indigenous

knowledge on household-level disaster

management. However, none of them have

increase in total asset value, a reduction in the

burden of debt, an increase in monthly income, as

well as improvements to the infrastructure of the

community, [20]. However, the ability of people

and communities to cope with the negative impacts

of hazards is referred to as resilience, [21]. In other

system, [22]. This study’s findings would play a

role in the well-being of the waterlogged

community in the face of misery caused by

waterlogging and adaptation strategies on the verge

of climate change. An effective strategy to put

resilience into practice on the ground would be to

employ the idea of well-being. The concept of

well-being is provided by establishing a portfolio

of livelihood possibilities, using social memory,

and increasing capacity for self-organization, which

The study utilizes a mixed-method research

Malopara village, while also incorporating

quantitative data for analysis and comparison. This

mixed-method research design strengthens the

validity and reliability of the study’s findings and

ensures a more accurate representation of the

complexities of the waterlogging issue and its

resilience in the local community.

The researchers purposively selected Malopara

research focused on a context relevant to the

research objective.

A purposive sampling technique was employed to

select the participants for the study. The sample

size consisted of 184 individuals, representing

16.7% of the total population of Malopara village.

The researchers aimed to ensure a representative

sample that captured the diversity of the

manner.

waterlogged households had children less than 5

years old, and they needed to get support for the

better future of their children (Table 1).

impact on the socio-economic condition of

households. Long-term waterlogging causes health

risks, loss of livelihoods, and displacement,

impacting vulnerable groups such as children, older

households face food insecurity, inadequate shelter,

and a lack of safe water and sanitation facilities,

which worsen their already fragile socio-economic

conditions. Economic pressures forced these people

to live in cheap but dangerous areas (Field Visit,

means to withstand the negative effects of climate

change. The impact of waterlogging on

communities is determined by the location of

nearby rivers and the presence and effective use of

canals, which serve as channels for water discharge

within the area. The loss of biodiversity and the

resulting decline in well-being are manifestations

of these pains. According to this study, Tala

Upazila experiences the most severe and persistent

waterlogging issues. The powerful Kobadak River,

losses are worse. As a result, it can be anticipated

that the socio-economic vulnerability in this region

is a critical concern. Aman's season of production

has shrunk; possible yields and returns from Boro

have become reduced, with tenants particularly

affected. However, the cropping and harvesting

seasons of this area are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Three main cropping and harvesting

Source: Field Survey, 2017

area have very limited sources of income-

generating activities, and a majority of them are

described as dependent on day labor, which is only

possible for 4-6 months of the year. They also do

2017).

economic situation of the residents in the villages

of Kumira Union, located in Tala Upazila, is

comparatively more favorable when compared to

other waterlogged areas such as Monirampur and

Kesabpur, where the duration of waterlogging lasts

for eight to ten months. The utilization of saline

water in shrimp fields eliminates the possibility of

cultivating rice on the nearby land. Additionally,

with the situation (Field Visit, 2017).

that the resilient people of this region have adjusted

to the altered environmental conditions and

integrated those changes into their ways of earning

a living, effectively dealing with the challenges

posed by waterlogging. The study found that,

within the total number of respondents of 184, 62

reared cows, 40 made nets, 22 started mat

businesses, 14 cultured fish, 10 reared goats, 8

support (Field Survey, 2017).

the land in the waterlogged area. In this regard, the

author reveals that, while water logging reduces the

number of native fish species in this community, it

has little to no influence on significant commercial

fish farming. Also, the market is accessible, and

these cultivators needed to be linked with the

international market for resilience (Field Visit,

2017).

beneficiaries of different national and international

NGOs who received cash grants for livelihood and

homestead gardening support. Among them, almost

three-fifths (58.08%) of the sample respondents

informed that they have benefited from livelihood

attended training to generate livelihood, which has

slightly released their misery compared to

depending on monsoon agriculture production

(Field Survey, 2017).

and NGOs carried out recovery projects, most of

which are almost phased out as of 2017. However,

the poverty situation has deteriorated due to the

long-term impact of salinity and shrimp cultivation

and global warming. Some Micro Finance

livelihoods for limited households and

communities in adjacent areas. As of 2013,

government departments or international agencies

have not initiated projects related to climate change

adaptation, [25].

Unused and under-utilized land in the homesteads

and surrounding areas of the coastal region holds

the potential for the cultivation of water- and

suitable environment for plant growth. However, it

is important to note that these conventional

drainage methods come with certain drawbacks.

They often involve high construction and

maintenance costs, which can be a barrier for

disposal of drainage effluent during and after the

restoration process can pose environmental

concerns (Key Informant Interview, 2017).

Waterlogging inhibits the growth of all types of

trees, with the exception of a few salinity-tolerant

species. Farmers are forced to sell their harvest at

low prices and buy rice at a relatively higher price,

as they have access to food grains at a fair price.

Waterlogging, therefore, has a significant effect on

the quality of life for those living in the

investigated areas. However, local people

implemented the sag bag technique to grow and

cultivate eco-friendly vegetables, as the technique

They mainly produce basil, balsam, bottle guard,

pumpkin, sponge guard, bindweed, radish, tomato,

spinach, kohlrabi, and beans. These vegetables are

homesteading, and vertical gardening brings hope.

In addition to agriculture, women are engaged in a

variety of activities such as livestock rearing,

poultry farming, fish farming in Gher, and

handicrafts. This diversification of income streams

has helped to reduce their dependency on a single

source of income and has enabled them to cope

with various economic shocks. Furthermore, the

engagement of women in income-generating

activities has had a positive impact on their social

potential of multiple income-generating activities

to improve their resilience. Exploring diverse

as the use of water- and saline-tolerant trees and

fruit trees to generate income.

activities, the study recommends a holistic

resilient is the safest one that is feasible and where

people have the required knowledge to grow and

construct in a natural-hazard environment, [30].

The insights obtained from this study can

contribute to the formulation of policies and

programs aimed at enhancing the livelihoods and

well-being of waterlogged communities in

Bangladesh and other low-lying areas vulnerable to

flooding and waterlogging. Policies and programs

should focus on extending households’ adaptation

capacity to promote equitable and sustainable

livelihoods, [31].

The study findings indicate that the water-logged

community in Bangladesh can achieve resilience

through multiple income-generating activities. By

adopting entrepreneurial and adaptive livelihood

strategies, they can find sustainable paths for

water-logged community, it is limited by its scope,

that influence resilience such as socio-economic

dynamics, cultural factors, governance structures,

and access to resources could have enhanced the

understanding of resilience in the water-logged

community.

external factors on the resilience of the water-

logged community. Factors such as policy

frameworks, international aid, and global economic

trends could play a significant role in shaping

the community studied limits the generalizability of

the findings to broader populations. To address

these limitations and enhance future research on

resilience in water-logged communities, engaging

in participatory research methodologies can be

suggested, which would foster a deeper

understanding of the community’s needs and

aspirations.

that the adaptation measures taken by community

this. Agricultural and fishing communities, for

instance, exhibit varying levels of sensitivity and

adaptive capacity, resulting in differing degrees of

vulnerability.

institutional capacities for climate change

adaptation and resilience and invest in climate-

resilient livelihoods and adaptation decision-

making processes. Government and NGOs must

also collaborate to develop and monitor household

needed. Moreover, a greater comprehension of the

relationships between social, economic, and

environmental factors is necessary to resolve the

connected problems of waterlogged areas and to

achieve the sustainable development goals of the

United Nations. Finally, creating opportunities for

evidence is crucial to achieving long-term

resilience.

Acknowledgments:

The authors would like to acknowledge the

financial support of the National Funds provided by

FCT— Foundation for Science and Technology to

V ALORIZA—Research Center for Endogenous

Resource Valorization (project UIDB/05064/2020).

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[21] Ray-Bennett, N. S., Masys, A., Shiroshita,

[23] Alam, Md. S., Sasaki, N., & Datta, A.

[24] Al Masud, M. M., Moni, N. N., & Azad, A.

[27] Choudhury, M.-U.-I., & Haque, C. E.

[29] Marschke, M. J., & Berkes, F. (2006).

[32] Islam, E., Khan, S. A., Khaleque, M. A., &

Contribution of Individual Authors to the

Creation of a Scientific Article (Ghostwriting

Policy)

The authors equally contributed to the present

research, at all stages from the formulation of the

Sources of Funding for Research Presented in a

Scientific Article or Scientific Article Itself

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare

that are relevant to the content of this article.

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