Mostafa Monir

The aim of this study is to explore the socioeconomic factors influencing conservation policies and management practices for Hilsa in the riverbank villages of Chandpur. Understanding these variables is crucial for developing sustainable conservation strategies that balance environmental preservation with the livelihoods of the local communities that depend on the resource. We employed a mixed‐method methodology approach that included structured interviews and surveys administered in three riverbank villages (Ibrahimpur, Baghadi and Sakhua); the research examines the relationship between community livelihoods and conservation attitudes. On the basis of a sample of 255 households proportionally drawn, and applying robust econometric techniques such as Durbin–Wu–Hausman (DWH) and two‐stage least squares (2SLS) regression, this study examines the drivers of the willingness to accept (WTA) payment for conservation purposes. The findings revealed that non‐fishing income, age and fishing experience have positive, while access to secondary education and access to credit have negative, effects on WTA. The top model—Agriculture & Migration—describes 94% of the variation in WTA, demonstrating the importance of income diversification in fostering conservation engagement. Despite this, the public are divided in their perception to WTA schemes: Overall, 31.6% support WTA schemes, whereas 36.9% oppose them, and 32.2% are neutral. These results emphasize the importance of participatory place‐based policy approaches that link economic incentives and ecological goals. This study suggests income‐based compensation schemes, livelihood diversification and conservation awareness to balance the environmental sustainability and socioeconomic resilience in river‐dependent communities.

This study examines the factors influencing food security and dietary diversity among rural farming households in Bangladesh, focusing on strategies small farmers can adopt to tackle food security challenges. Using data from a survey of 399 households, food insecurity is evaluated through the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). These measures are crucial for assessing the food security of small‐scale farmers. The study shows how DDS captures food quality beyond calories, and how HFIAS reflects hunger experiences and food insecurity severity beyond production. The findings reveal that 61% of households are food‐secured, while 39% experience varying levels of food insecurity. The average DDS score of 6.2 indicates diverse diets. Positive factors influencing DDS include income diversification, crop diversification, and farm size, while larger household size and distance to markets negatively affect food security. Crop diversification and access to agricultural information reduce food insecurity, as shown by HFIAS. Regression analysis confirms that higher income diversification, larger farm size, and smaller household size promote food security, while larger household size and greater market distance worsen it. This study calls for policies targeting food security and dietary diversity improvements among small farming households in rural Bangladesh.