Yield Gap, Risk Attitude, and Poverty Status of Aman Rice Producers in Climate-Vulnerable Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

Farmers of the coastal region in Bangladesh are vulnerable to various climatic hazards that affect agricultural productivity and livelihoods. This study investigated the yield gap, risk attitude, and poverty status of Aman rice farmers and also assessed the relationship among them in the climate-vulnerable southern coastal areas of Bangladesh. This study selected ۱۲۵ Aman rice farmers using a simple random sampling technique to estimate three types of yield gaps. Risk attitude was calculated using the safety-first model, and the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke model was employed to estimate poverty status. Results revealed a significant amount of yield gaps in Aman rice production, while farmers had opportunities to increase their production through the optimal use and scientific management of inputs. The yield gaps are reflected in the farmers’ risk aversion attitude, with the majority of farmers being highly risk-averse. The study also revealed that half of the sampled farmers were poor, with a poverty gap of ۱۵%. However, an increased number of non-poor was revealed due to a reduction both in yield gaps and farmers’ risk-aversion attitudes. Therefore, the study suggests limiting the yield gap to manage farmers’ risk-aversion attitudes, which would also facilitate improving their poverty situation.

Keywords:

Climate-vulnerable areas , Foster–Greer–Thorbecke model , Livelihood , Risk aversion , Safety-first model.