A Study on the Impact of Refugee Influx on the Agricultural Service, Systems and Products;

The Case of Rohingya Refugees in Teknaf, Bangladesh

Abstract

The Teknaf region in Bangladesh experienced a massive Rohingya refugee influx from Myanmar in 2017, where more than a million refugees fled to Bangladesh. This influx exerted considerable pressure on the local socioeconomic structures, livelihood activities, and environmental resources. This study evaluates the refugees' impact on the agricultural dynamics in Teknaf where farming is the major livelihood means for the local community. Based on primary data from interviews with a representative sample of 98 farming households, the study elucidates shifts in agricultural practice post-influx. It was observed that while the acreage of crop cultivation contracted, enhanced agricultural methods and the introduction of modern crop varieties facilitated a rise in production. Consequently, there was a modest 4% increase in annual household income from agriculture. The cropping pattern shifted from rice dominant to vegetable based. The shift was facilitated by the available of lower waged (450-500 BDT vs 350-400 BDT daily wage) refugee laborers compared to local laborers. The employment of Rohingya laborers at wages below the local standard was prevalent, yet approximately 44% of farmers reported dissatisfaction with the laborers' productivity. The agriculture sector faced notable adversities, including diminished arable land, environmental resource depletion, inflated input costs, and a scarcity of irrigation resources, which collectively compound the challenges faced by the farming community. Addressing the challenges identified, the study advocates for the creation of targeted agricultural support programs to enhance the value addition within host communities. Additionally, fostering small-scale farming projects for the refugees and host community could be instrumental in promoting sustainable livelihoods and engendering economic resilience at the local level.