Gender-Driven Agricultural Activities and Crop Diversification Strategies of Char Dwellers in Rangpur, Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. People in this area become victim of different kinds of the climate crisis. To cope with flood or drought, or any kinds of natural disaster the char dwellers adopt different agricultural cropping strategies as they are more vulnerable during climate crises. These kinds of strategies are getting popularity because of the increasing productivity in comparison with previous years. Following the qualitative methodological approach, this study explored the gendered differences between agricultural activities and crop diversification strategies of char dwellers and how these strategies are connected with the private and public spheres. The gender division of labor and discrimination of wages has been noticed in the cycle of agricultural activities. These research findings explored the continuous popularity of sandbar cropping techniques in char areas in both men and women. However, the sack gardening technique is mainly popular among women as these kinds of techniques are adopted to produce vegetables and herbs during the climate crisis, or those who do not have enough land can also produce vegetables using these techniques. The convenience of the sack gardening technique in own yard makes it popular among women as they are staying in the household most of the time. However, raising a bed for paddy and a floating garden with banana tree sail is getting popularity among men as paddy is considered a men’s crop and a floating garden is related to the public sphere. Therefore, gendered roles and relations are considered influential factors in crop choices and crop diversification strategies.