Introduction

Char regions are typically found along the large rivers' basins or beds. Sandbars known as "char
lands" are those that appear as islands within river channels or as land that is fixed to the banks
of rivers. Put simply, the sand and silty riverine landmasses are called "char" in Bengali.
Approximately 6.5 million people, or 5% of Bangladesh's total population, reside on the
country's chars, which make up only 7200 square kilometers, or nearly 5% of the country's total
land area (EGIS, 2000). The majority of char inhabitants work in a variety of farming systems
that produce vegetables, fish, livestock, and poultry, among other things. Their methods of
manufacturing differ from those used on the mainland. The char dwellers use the resources at
their disposal to improve farm output. High-value crops that can be gathered before the first
flood can be found on char grounds. Not only does the river provide a significant physical risk,
but char dwellers in particular lose out on the advantages of the mainland. Moving the char
dwellers to safer regions is not possible because to land shortages, despite the fact that they are
facing several environmental threats and tragedies as a result of climate change.

People that live in char regions have even harsher and more unpredictable livelihood patterns. In
the char areas, there are extremely few, seasonal labor options. People's livelihoods are unstable
where they dwell in char regions. The char dwellers were forced into a poverty cycle by political,
social, immoral, and geographic instability and insecurity. Natural calamities and land loss on a
regular basis frequently cause migration. The main problems faced by char dwellers include their
incapacity to withstand physical threats, their limited access to basic services, their lack of
options for saving and credit, their limited access to opportunities and services that can increase
their income, and more (Saifullah, 2010). But the people that live in the char always struggle
with issues like hunger, poverty, illiteracy, low agricultural production, natural disasters, etc.

The majority of Noakhali's economy is based on agriculture. Sixty-three percent of the district's
total holdings, or 544,943, are farms producing a variety of products, including wheat, cash
crops, betel leaves, boro and Aman paddy, peanuts, chili, sugarcane, potatoes, and hybrid and
local rice. Mango, banana, jack fruit, papaya, litchi, palm coconut, and betel nut are among the
fruits that are grown. During the rainy season, fish of all kinds can be found in rivers, the sea,
and paddy fields. For commercial pisciculture in ponds and waterlands, fish species such as ruhi,
katla, mrigel, kala baush, koi, grass carp, silver carp, talapia, nilotica, and several native deshi
fish species have also been introduced. This district grows forest trees and timber, such as
mahogany, bamboo, jarul, shimul, garjan, and sheel koroi.

The distinct topography and socioeconomic difficulties of the area have an impact on the agro-
economic situation in Noakhali's chars, or river islands or recently formed land regions. Due to
the continual deposition of river silt, the char regions of Noakhali frequently have extremely
productive soil. Because of this, the area is perfect for agriculture, particularly the production of
vegetables and grains. A wide range of crops are grown by farmers in the chars, including as
oilseeds (like mustard), vegetables (such gourds, eggplants, and cucumbers), rice, and pulses.
Because of the sandy soil in these locations, fruits like pumpkin and watermelon are also
growing more and more. The majority of people that live in char regions are employed in
agriculture. There is a concentrate on rice, vegetables, and a few fruit crops, along with both
subsistence and commercial farming. Their livelihood also depends on livestock poultry and fish
farming. In the coastal chars of Noakhali, aquaculture, which includes prawn farming, is a major
source of revenue for many farmers. Apart from aquaculture, conventional fishing techniques are
employed in the rivers and canals, which enhances food security and generates revenue.

But there are some challenges faced by char people. That will be vulnerability to natural disasters
like flood cyclones and river erosion. In char villages, annual losses from riverbank erosion
result in a significant loss of arable and usable land (Alam 2017). But as natural disasters wreak
havoc on the communication networks of Char Land towns, Char Land people are not afforded
the same access to the social and economic benefits as mainland residents (Alam et al. 2017).
The most difficult thing for the people of Char land is that they can't move to the mainland to
look for work, therefore they end up migrating inside the Char region (Alam et al. 2020). In the
ten years prior, at least three migrations have occurred in 25% of char households (CARE-
Bangladesh 2002). The land that supports productive agriculture, including cropping patterns,
crop yields, bug infestations, and water availability, is also under threat from climate change,
natural catastrophes, migration, and economic possibilities. The households in char communities
are often losing their agricultural products (such as yields, poultry, and livestock) as well as the
financial and human resources necessary to maintain their overall persistence and financial
prosperity as a result of these issues (Alam et al. 2018).

Farmers in the chars frequently struggle to find markets where they can sell their goods because
of the area's isolation and lack of infrastructure. The profitability of farming may be impacted by
the lack of transportation. Agriculture is heavily reliant on seasonal rainfall since it frequently
lacks access to sophisticated irrigation facilities. The people who live in char are typically among
the poorest in Bangladesh, having little access to jobs, healthcare, and educational opportunities.
The primary source of income is agriculture, yet low income levels are still a result of limited
landholdings and unpredictable yield. There is insecure land tenure for a large number of farmers
in char areas. Land disputes are frequent, and the absence of distinct rights to land can deter
investment in more efficient farming methods. Crop yields and soil quality may be impacted by
salt intrusion in some of the char areas, particularly those that are nearer to the sea. In certain
places, fresh water for irrigation becomes difficult to come by, particularly in the dry season,
which reduces crop yields.

For surviving in char district we have to follow some things such as Improving Land
Management and Tenure Security, Infrastructure Development, Water Management and
Irrigation Systems, Adopting Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices, Government and NGO
Support. Connecting rural areas with metropolitan markets requires the construction of improved
transportation networks, like as roads, ferries, and bridges. Better availability to supplies like
seeds and fertiliser would result in lower transportation costs, and farmers would be able to
charge more for their produce. Sluice gates and other water management devices can help keep
salty water out of agricultural fields in coastal char areas where salinity intrusion is a serious
problem. Crop varieties that can withstand salt can also be promoted to farmers.Promoting the
growth of crop varieties resistant to floods, droughts, and salinity (such as BRRI Dhan-52 for
salinity and flood-resistant rice cultivars) might assist farmers in lessening the effects of erratic
weather patterns and environmental circumstances.When tree farming is combined with crop
production, soils become more stable, erosion is decreased, and there is an extra revenue stream
from the sale of fruits, lumber, and other tree products. The agricultural outlook can be
considerably improved by stepping up government involvement in remote areas through farmer
support programs, rural infrastructure development, and agricultural extension services.Through
training, funding, and capacity-building initiatives, non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
have been instrumental in empowering communities affected by char. More sustainable
development may result from extending alliances with regional and global NGOs.Involving local
people in agricultural and natural resource management decision-making processes guarantees
that the solutions are sustainable and appropriate for the given environment.

For development policies and interventions to be effective, it is essential to comprehend the

socioeconomic circumstances and agroeconomic activities of the char inhabitants. Through the
analysis of these factors, this research seeks to shed light on the unique difficulties that the
people living in the char areas of Noakhali experience and investigate ways that sustainable
farming methods and improved economic integration could improve their standard of living.

Objectives:

The present study was, therefore, carried out to achieve the following objectives:

 To evaluate the state of the people's livelihood in the Noakhali district's char
areas.

 To assess the state of the agro-economy, taking into account cropping patterns,
land usage, and productivity.

 To determine the obstacles that the char inhabitants must overcome in terms of
food security, economic stability, and environmental dangers.

 To offer suggestions on how to improve the agro-economic circumstances and

standard of living for char dwellers through policy interventions.
Materials and Methods
3.1. Study Area
Actually, between June and August of 2024, a thorough survey was carried out in the Char parts
of the Noakhali district. Wide-ranging riverine char lands with a distinct ecological and
socioeconomic state are the district's main feature. These places are more susceptible to flooding,
storm surges, and river erosion than other natural disasters. The study's chosen char regions
comprised isolated coastal settlements in Noakhali.
3.2 Experimental Location:
The experimental location is located in the Young Meghna Estuarine Floodplain, or AEZ 18.
This zone covers an area of roughly 6,338 square kilometers overall. This AEZ's features include
young floodplain plains affected by the Meghna River, seasonal floods, and the influence of
brackish water in some locations.

Fig: Map of Noakhali District

3. 3 Experimental design:
The survey design used in the study was cross-sectional and descriptive. Its objective was to
evaluate the residents' agro-economic circumstances as well as their manner of life. Food
security, employment, education, and income were among the socioeconomic factors that were
the main subjects of the study.

Noakhali District
Upazila list Char Area Name

Companigonj Subarno char Hatiya

Companigonj Char-Elahi

Hatiya Sukh Char

Char Irshardi
Subarno char Char Jabbar
Char Cleck
Char Wapda
Char Amanullah

Char Bagga
Purbo Char Bagga
3.4 Methodology
Among the several techniques for gathering data is the agricultural survey. The basic data for this
study were gathered using the survey approach. For this study, data was gathered in both
qualitative and quantitative formats. The size of the farm, annual income, annual income at
various yields, education level, economic situation, health issues, and challenges in agriculture
are all covered in the interview. A 15 to 20-minute interview lasted approximately. The
respondents were informed that the purpose of the study was to gather opinions regarding the
influence of digital technology on agricultural output.

3.4.1 Sampling Methodology

 Target Population: The people living in the Char regions, especially the farmers,
fishermen, and other marginalized communities.
 Technique for Sampling: Multi-level random sampling Make random samples from
each of the population's subcategories (farmers, fishermen, laborers, etc.)
 For important informants like civic leaders and public servants, purposeful sampling

3.4.2 Data Collection Techniques

A. Quantitative Data
1. Household Surveys:
 Create structured questionnaires to collect quantitative information on livelihood
variables such as employment, education, asset ownership, and productivity of
agriculture.
 Include questions on household demographics, farming practices, crop yields, access to
resources, and food security.
2. Agricultural Data

 Get comprehensive data on the kinds of crops cultivated, the care of livestock, the
availability of irrigation, the accessibility of markets, and the use of inputs (seeds,
fertilizers, and equipment).
 To evaluate economic sustainability, gather information on agricultural yields.

B. Qualitative Data
1. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs):
 Hold FGDs to learn about the experiences, difficulties, and coping techniques of various
groups (such as farmers, women, and fishermen) about livelihood strategies.
 Use FGDs to pinpoint seasonal variations, risk factors (such as storms and flooding), and
accessibility to services and markets.
2. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs):
To learn about the implications of policies, current development initiatives, and regional
concerns pertaining to agriculture and livelihood, speak with local leaders, government officials,
and members of non-governmental organizations.