Climate Change Threatens Winter Crop Production in Rajshahi
Climate change has adversely impacted winter crop farming in Rajshahi, leading to natural disasters and threatening farm livelihoods. Notable changes in winter duration and intensity jeopardize food production. Key stakeholders emphasize the need for immediate measures, protection of farmers’ rights, and fulfillment of climate funding commitments by developed nations.
Climate change has significantly impacted winter crop farming in Rajshahi, leading to increased natural calamities and threatening the livelihoods of local farmers. The duration and intensity of winter seasons have changed, adversely affecting the cultivation of vegetables and other winter crops. Urgent and appropriate measures are essential to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security amid these challenges.
Abdur Rahim, a successful farmer from Bargachhi village, noted that the rapid pace of climate change has diminished the diversity of winter vegetables, presenting a dire threat to food production. He emphasized that developed nations must honor their commitments to climate funding, ensuring transparency in its usage. Moreover, protecting the rights of farmers is crucial to motivate them in boosting agricultural production to meet growing food demands.
Shahidul Islam, regional coordinator for the Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), highlighted the serious threats climate change poses to the existing agricultural system. He described the alarming impacts on water resources and agriculture, particularly in the vast Barind tract. Research by Professor Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan from Rajshahi University reveals that maximum temperatures positively influenced the yields of some crops while adversely affecting others, highlighting the complex relationship between climate variables and agricultural outcomes.
Despite some crops experiencing a decline in cultivated area, such as rice and sugarcane, there has been an increase in the cultivation of potatoes, wheat, and pulses. The Barind area is particularly vulnerable concerning food security and water resources. Varendra University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Osman Gani Talukder, called for necessary action to alleviate the adverse impacts of climate change on the region’s agricultural and economic stability.
Professor Laila Arzuman Banu from Rajshahi University described the detrimental effects of drought, including dust storms, landscape erosion, and reduced crop growth caused by insufficient irrigation water. Over 16,000 deep tube wells are currently employed to extract groundwater to support irrigation-dependent crops, aiming to bolster agricultural productivity to meet the demands of the growing population in the area.
The article addresses the severe consequences of climate change on winter agriculture in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. It highlights the risks posed by altered weather patterns, such as changes in winter duration and intensity, which threaten vegetable farming and the livelihoods of farmers. The text culminates in the need for strategic interventions and the protection of farmers’ rights to sustain agricultural productivity and ensure food security in the face of these climatic challenges.
In conclusion, climate change presents a formidable challenge to winter crop production in Rajshahi, impacting food security and farmers’ livelihoods. The evidence demonstrates a pressing need for both financial support and protective measures for farmers to maintain agricultural outputs. Urgent action is required to address these issues and foster resilience in the agricultural sector against ongoing climatic adversities.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
