In the face of escalating soil salinity threatening agricultural productivity, Bangladeshi farmers are adopting innovative strategies to sustain their livelihoods. Coastal regions, particularly during the dry season, have witnessed increased salt intrusion due to climate change, storm surges, and decades of saltwater shrimp farming, rendering traditional farming methods less effective.
Rita Bashar, a smallholder farmer near Rampal, exemplifies this transformation. Previously unable to cultivate her land during the dry season, Bashar now successfully grows vegetables, earning approximately $240 in early 2024. This income enabled her to purchase a cow, marking a significant improvement in her household’s economic stability.
The Bangladeshi government, in collaboration with NGOs like Cordaid, has initiated programs to educate farmers on salinity management. These initiatives include the distribution of salt-tolerant seeds, training on raised bed planting, and the use of rice-straw mulch to reduce evaporation. Farmers are also equipped with simple salinity meters to monitor soil conditions and implement low-tech rainwater irrigation systems.
According to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, there has been a 270% increase in land brought back into production during the dry season since 2016, although this figure awaits independent verification. These efforts highlight the resilience and adaptability of Bangladeshi farmers in the face of environmental challenges.
Despite these advancements, the overarching threat of climate change and freshwater scarcity continues to loom. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that by 2050, half of all arable land worldwide will be affected by salinity, underscoring the urgency for sustainable agricultural practices.
Bangladesh’s proactive approach serves as a model for other nations grappling with similar issues, demonstrating that with education, innovation, and community engagement, it is possible to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental changes on agriculture.
Experts warn, however, that while adaptation techniques offer temporary relief, they are not a panacea. The steady encroachment of saline water into freshwater sources—exacerbated by rising sea levels and reduced river flows—poses a long-term existential challenge for agriculture in southern Bangladesh.
Dr. M. A. Salam, an agricultural scientist based in Khulna, emphasized the importance of integrating scientific innovation with traditional farming knowledge. “Salt-tolerant crops are not enough on their own. We need sustainable water management, robust embankments, and continuous farmer training,” he said.
The government, through its Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), has intensified efforts to diversify cropping patterns and reduce dependence on a single growing season. By introducing short-duration rice varieties, farmers can harvest before peak salinity hits in late winter. Intercropping with salt-tolerant vegetables such as eggplant and okra has also shown promise.
