Fourteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Salt culture has evolved in the coastal regions of Bangladesh since early times through traditional approaches. Because of the high salinity in the water of the Bay of Bengal, millions of people have become associated with salt farming as a means of livelihood. Without any institutional knowledge, Peasants, however, their practical expertise have made a profound penetration into the field. The research is conducted in Kutubdia Island, which is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, from where the country’s handful demand for salt is met. However, the potential sector is yet to expand as the middlemen are prevailing in the communities. Middlemen provide the land with a specific amount for a season and lend funds providing that they will keep control of crops. In fact, middlemen twist and exercise power over the body of the marginal population in developing countries like Bangladesh in the name of community development. Whereas, importing salt from abroad by the state is another form of negligence of farmers. In addition, the existing scientific research reveals the communities are severely vulnerable due to climate change-induced cyclones, floods, erosion, salinity, etc. As a result, salt farmers, and those who are associated with the sector are shifting inherited professions. The current research follows qualitative approaches including observation, interview, and focus group discussion to examines the salt production-oriented way of livelihood and socio-economic perspective salt farming community of Katubdia Island.