Bangladesh's Green Agriculture

Agriculture is both a contributor to and a solution for the climate crisis. In Bangladesh, the sector is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly from rice cultivation, livestock, and fertilizer use. However, it also holds immense potential to mitigate climate change through sustainable practices such as carbon sequestration in soils and agroforestry. With a rapidly growing population and a vulnerable geography prone to climate impacts like flooding and salinity, Bangladesh’s agricultural research community has made significant strides in developing innovative solutions that not only reduce emissions but also adapt to the changing climate. This article delves into the progress made, current efforts, and future research priorities needed to transform agriculture into a leading sector for climate resilience in Bangladesh.

Progress in Reducing Agricultural Emissions in Bangladesh: Over the past decade, Bangladesh has focused on agricultural emissions reduction through targeted research and innovation. Rice cultivation, a major contributor to methane emissions, has seen the adoption of mitigation practices that reduce emissions while improving water-use efficiency. Research from institutes such as the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has demonstrated that alternate wetting and drying (AWD) techniques can effectively decrease methane emissions in rice paddies. AWD reduces the amount of time fields are flooded, limiting methane production.

Beyond rice, livestock management strategies, such as altering livestock diets, have been explored as a means of mitigating methane emissions. Including additives like seaweed in the diet has been shown to reduce methane emissions from ruminants, a promising strategy for Bangladesh's livestock sector, where methane emissions are a significant contributor to GHGs.

Soil carbon management is another major focus of emission reduction. Practices like no-till farming, organic fertilization, and crop diversification, with support from institutions such as the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), have been implemented to improve soil organic carbon levels while curbing nitrous oxide emissions. By adopting these practices, Bangladesh has the opportunity to enhance soil health while simultaneously mitigating GHG emissions.

Agroforestry, an essential part of Bangladesh’s climate adaptation strategy, integrates trees into agricultural landscapes, sequestering carbon, and improving soil quality. Projects led by organizations like ICCCAD and BRRI have been key in promoting agroforestry, recognizing its potential for carbon storage, enhancing biodiversity, and building resilience in agricultural systems. These efforts have not only improved the productivity of farmlands but have also contributed to a more resilient agricultural ecosystem in Bangladesh.

Innovations Driving Change Today: Bangladesh's agricultural sector is increasingly turning to smart farming technologies to enhance productivity and reduce climate impacts. Precision farming, utilizing drones, sensors, and satellite technology, optimizes the application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, minimizing environmental impacts and improving crop yield efficiency. These innovations are particularly critical in a country where overuse of chemical inputs has led to soil degradation and water contamination.

In parallel, Bangladesh is seeing a rise in the use of bio-based fertilizers and slow-release fertilizers. These alternatives reduce the dependency on synthetic chemicals, which are not only harmful to the environment but also contribute significantly to GHG emissions. Research into the efficiency and sustainability of these fertilizers has gained momentum in Bangladesh, with several institutions investigating their role in enhancing soil fertility and reducing environmental harm.

Biological solutions, including plant-microbe interactions, are another promising area of innovation. Researchers from BARI and BRRI are exploring how beneficial microbes can improve soil health and increase crop resilience, reducing the need for synthetic inputs. This aligns with Bangladesh's goal of increasing agricultural sustainability while minimizing the environmental impacts associated with industrial agriculture.

Ecosystem-based approaches, such as conservation agriculture and land restoration, are also gaining traction. These approaches prioritize the long-term health of soil and water resources while enhancing carbon sequestration. By incorporating these strategies into agricultural policy, Bangladesh is setting the stage for both climate adaptation and long-term agricultural sustainability.

Future Research Needs:  While significant strides have been made, there are still substantial gaps in knowledge and technology that must be addressed, particularly for smallholder farmers. Developing climate-resilient crop varieties is an urgent research priority. These crops need to be able to withstand the increasing challenges posed by erratic weather, including heat waves, droughts, and salinity. For Bangladesh’s coastal areas, which are particularly vulnerable to salinity, the development of salt-tolerant crops is critical. These crops should not only be resilient to saline conditions but also contribute to carbon sequestration, further enhancing their climate mitigation potential.

Additionally, Bangladesh's agricultural research community must prioritize the development of advanced tools for monitoring and verifying emissions and carbon storage. Emissions from agricultural activities need to be accurately tracked to help farmers participate in carbon markets. This will ensure that the country meets its climate goals while enabling farmers to monetize their climate mitigation efforts. Furthermore, the development of standardized methodologies for quantifying carbon sequestration in agriculture is essential to establish reliable metrics for carbon credits, facilitating their inclusion in global carbon markets.

Research into enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems to extreme weather events is also a critical area for future study. This includes developing drought-resistant crop varieties, flood-tolerant rice, and improving water management systems for irrigation. Bangladesh’s agricultural sector must prepare for more frequent and intense climate-related shocks, and research can provide the foundation for adaptive strategies.

Policy Implications for Sustainable Agriculture in Bangladesh: Government policies play a pivotal role in scaling up sustainable agricultural practices in Bangladesh. Agriculture must be integrated into national climate action plans, particularly the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Bangladesh’s NDCs should include clear targets for emissions reductions in agriculture and outline specific support measures for sustainable farming practices. Policies that prioritize investments in low-emission technologies, such as precision farming tools and sustainable irrigation systems, will be essential for achieving the country’s climate goals.

Financial incentives, such as subsidies for climate-smart technologies and carbon farming programs, can accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices. Providing smallholder farmers with access to these technologies will be crucial, as they form the backbone of Bangladesh’s agricultural economy. In addition, the establishment of robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems will ensure that emissions reductions are tracked and progress toward climate targets is transparent.

The development of carbon markets that include agricultural sequestration credits should be a policy priority. By enabling farmers to generate income from carbon credits, Bangladesh canincentivize the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, creating a market-based approach to climate resilience.

The Role of COP29 and the IPCC in Shaping Agricultural Policy: At COP29, Bangladesh demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate change in agriculture, advocating for the inclusion of agriculture in global climate negotiations. As COP30 approaches, Bangladesh has an opportunity to further push for the scaling of successful mitigation strategies in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of ecosystem-based approaches. These strategies, such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture, are highly relevant for Bangladesh and can be scaled up with the right international support and financing.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has long emphasized the potential of agriculture to mitigate climate change. In its latest reports, the IPCC advocates for the scaling up of low-cost, high-impact interventions, including improved land management, agroecology, and reforestation. Bangladesh’s emphasis on integrating traditional knowledge with modern science aligns with these global recommendations and offers a pathway for scaling up climate-smart agricultural practices at the local level.

Cultivating a Sustainable Future for Bangladesh’s Agriculture: As the climate crisis deepens, Bangladesh's agricultural sector stands at the forefront of both mitigation and adaptation efforts. The country has made notable progress in reducing emissions through innovations such as water-efficient rice farming, agroforestry, and advanced soil management. These efforts are helping to create a more climate-resilient agricultural system, but much work remains to be done. Future research must continue to focus on the development of climate-resilient crops, the scaling of sustainable farming practices, and the creation of policies that support these efforts.

With continued investment in research, the scaling up of sustainable practices, and robust policy support, Bangladesh can transform its agricultural sector into a global leader in climate resilience. As the nation moves forward, the role of agriculture in mitigating climate change will be vital to ensuring food security, economic stability, and the protection of natural resources for future generations. By harnessing the power of both modern technology and traditional knowledge, Bangladesh can set an example for the world, demonstrating that agriculture is not just a contributor to climate change, but a powerful tool for combating it. Through collaboration, innovation, and effective policy leadership, Bangladesh can lead the way to a climate-resilient future.


Dr. Shahrina Akhtar is Technical
Specialist & Research Adviser at
Krishi Gobeshona Foundation.