Dr. Shahrina Akhtar
Bangladesh, known for its rich agricultural legacy, is facing increasing challenges as climate change threatens the very fabric of its farming-based economy. The agriculture sector, which remains the backbone of the nation’s economy, is experiencing severe disruptions due to unpredictable weather patterns, extreme events like floods, droughts, and salinity intrusion. These changes not only jeopardize food security but also undermine the livelihoods of millions of farmers and fishing communities across the country. As Bangladesh steps into the New Year, urgent attention is required to enhance the resilience of its agricultural systems to safeguard its future.
Impact of Climate Change on Bangladesh's Agriculture: Agriculture in Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying landscape, which is prone to flooding and drought. The country has experienced more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as floods, cyclones, and droughts, significantly affecting crop yields and productivity. For example, the 2007 floods resulted in over USD 1 billion in agricultural damages, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty in rural communities. To address these challenges, research institutions like the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) have been at the forefront of developing climate-resilient crops. BRRI's development of flood-tolerant rice varieties such as "BRRI dhan50" and "BRRI dhan57" has been instrumental in mitigating flood impacts, especially in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta. These efforts, along with advancements in salt-tolerant and drought-resistant crops, are crucial for improving agricultural resilience and ensuring food security in the face of climate change.
Climate-Resilient Crop Research: Research on climate-resilient crops is a central part of Bangladesh's agricultural strategy to combat climate change. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has made significant strides in developing saline-resistant crops, particularly in the Sundarbans, where saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels threatens agricultural lands. BARI's work on rice and vegetable varieties capable of thriving in saline conditions is critical, as more than 1.3 million hectares of agricultural land in the coastal region have already been affected by increasing salinity. Beyond rice, BARI is also developing heat- and drought-tolerant crops like maize and wheat to address projected temperature increases of 1.5°C to 2°C by 2050, ensuring that Bangladesh's agriculture remains resilient to both heat stress and water scarcity.
While progress has been made, significant gaps remain in climate-resilient crop research. One major concern is the limited focus on pest and disease management in the context of climate change. Rising temperatures are facilitating the emergence of new pests and diseases, which can devastate crops if not managed properly. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that integrate climate data are essential for anticipating and controlling these outbreaks. Additionally, there is a need for more research into advanced water management systems and precision agriculture technologies to improve water-use efficiency and manage irrigation under changing climatic conditions. Addressing these gaps will be crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.
Need for Comprehensive Climate Research: While biological and physical climate impacts on agriculture are well-documented, economic modeling to assess the financial consequences for farmers and the broader economy is still lacking. Climate-induced disruptions in crop production, coupled with changing prices and market dynamics, could have devastating effects on the economy, especially for rural populations dependent on agriculture.
In Bangladesh, where 40% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, the economic risks of climate change are substantial. A 2021 study by the World Bank estimated that a 1°C rise in temperature could reduce crop yields by as much as 10% and decrease agricultural GDP by up to 4%. However, much of this data remains generic, and more localized economic assessments are needed to understand the impact on specific regions and crops.
Efforts to model the economic consequences of climate change on Bangladesh's agriculture sector must be expanded. In-depth studies into how climate change affects farmers' income, food prices, and national food security will be essential for policymakers to design adaptive interventions. Understanding the relationship between climatic stressors, agricultural productivity, and economic outcomes will help craft policies that not only safeguard the environment but also ensure the economic sustainability of the farming community.
Vulnerability of Fisheries and Livestock: While crop production has been the focus of most climate change discussions in Bangladesh, the livestock and fisheries sectors are equally vulnerable. The livestock sector, which plays a critical role in food security and rural incomes, is facing multiple challenges due to heat stress, changing grazing patterns, and the spread of new diseases linked to climate change. In particular, farmers in the southern coastal regions face additional challenges in managing livestock health as rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns exacerbate heat stress, which can reduce livestock productivity.
Research aimed at understanding these effects and developing strategies to mitigate them is critical. A 2019 study from ICCCAD revealed that livestock in coastal areas, particularly cattle and goats, were losing body weight due to prolonged heat exposure, resulting in reduced milk and meat production. Developing climate-resilient breeds with higher heat tolerance is an area that needs more attention to protect this sector.
Similarly, the fisheries sector is experiencing significant climate-induced disruptions. Rising water temperatures and salinity levels, combined with habitat loss due to flooding and storms, are endangering aquatic species. Bangladesh, home to one of the world's largest river systems and a major fish-exporting country, depends heavily on its fisheries sector for both food and economic sustenance. However, climate change threatens the sector's long-term viability, particularly for coastal and riverine communities that depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
Research into the impacts of climate change on fish populations, aquatic biodiversity, and fisheries management practices is crucial. One promising initiative is the development of climate-smart aquaculture techniques that enhance the resilience of fish farming to salinity and temperature fluctuations. Integrating climate risk into fisheries management policies can help ensure that this critical food source remains viable despite climate-induced pressures.
Social Inclusion and Empowerment: As Bangladesh moves toward a climate-resilient agriculture sector, addressing the social dimensions of climate change is crucial. Vulnerable populations, particularly women, smallholder farmers, and marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by climate risks. These groups often face limited access to essential resources like information, technology, and finance, which hinders their ability to adapt. Women, especially in rural areas, play a pivotal role in agricultural production but are often excluded from decision-making and struggle to access agricultural technologies.
Empowering women with climate-resilient knowledge, such as water-saving techniques and drought-resistant crop cultivation, can improve food security and resilience at the household level. Additionally, incorporating smallholder farmers in climate adaptation strategies is essential. As a significant part of the workforce, they are highly vulnerable to climate disruptions. Strengthening agricultural extension services to provide localized climate information and sustainable practices is key to enhancing smallholder farmers' ability to adapt to climate variability effectively.
Securing Financial Resilience: Climate risk insurance has emerged as an important tool to protect farmers from the financial impacts of climate change. In Bangladesh, the introduction of weather-based crop insurance products is still in its infancy, but their potential to mitigate financial losses from extreme weather events like floods, cyclones, and droughts is enormous.
To make climate risk insurance accessible and affordable for smallholder farmers, public-private partnerships are needed. Government subsidies, low-interest loans, and awareness campaigns can help reduce the financial burden of insurance premiums. Additionally, incorporating digital technology into insurance programs, such as mobile apps and satellite-based weather data, can streamline claims processes and provide farmers with more timely and accurate information on weather conditions. Insurance is not just a safety net but a tool for building financial resilience. By integrating insurance programs with other social safety nets, such as disaster relief programs, farmers can receive more comprehensive protection against the multiple risks posed by climate change.
Resilient Agricultural Future for Bangladesh: Looking ahead, Bangladesh's agriculture sector must be transformed to meet the challenges of a changing climate. This will require comprehensive research that incorporates crop adaptation, livestock and fisheries resilience, economic modeling, and social inclusion. By focusing on these areas, Bangladesh can build a more resilient agriculture sector that ensures food security, protects livelihoods, and fosters economic growth in the face of climate uncertainty.
Through collaboration between research institutions, policymakers, and vulnerable communities, Bangladesh can create a climate-ready agricultural future. With the right strategies in place, including expanding climate risk insurance, enhancing the resilience of crops, and empowering marginalized groups, the country can thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change. By taking action now, Bangladesh can not only safeguard its agricultural heritage but also build a sustainable future for all.
Dr. Shahrina Akhtar is Technical
Specialist & Research Adviser
at Krishi Gobeshona Foundation.
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