Climate change is threatening winter crop farming in Rajshahi, leading to adverse impacts on agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods. Urgent measures are needed to enhance food security and protect farmers’ rights. Key stakeholders emphasize the importance of climate funding and adaptive strategies to address these changes and mitigate their effects.
Climate change has emerged as a significant threat to winter crop farming in Rajshahi, exacerbating natural calamities and undermining the livelihoods of local farmers. The duration and intensity of winter have drastically changed over recent years, complicating the agricultural landscape and food security in the region. Urgent and effective measures are necessary to enhance agricultural production and mitigate the detrimental effects of these climatic changes.
Abdur Rahim, a prominent farmer from Bargachhi village, expressed his concerns regarding climate change’s rapid impact on winter vegetable farming, negatively affecting crop diversity and food production security. He emphasized the importance of developed countries honoring their climate funding commitments and ensuring transparency in its utilization. Additionally, Rahim highlighted the need to protect farmers’ rights to encourage agricultural production amid rising demands.
Shahidul Islam of the Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) highlighted that climate change is posing formidable challenges to the agricultural system, including water resource management in areas like the Barind tract. He identified the effects of altered weather on yield outcomes and the changing dynamics of cropland areas under different crops, citing the negative consequences for food security in drought-prone regions.
Research conducted by Professor Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan from Rajshahi University outlined that variations in temperature and rainfall patterns significantly influence crop yields. Increased maximum temperatures have had favorable effects on certain crops while adversely impacting others. This indicates a pressing need for adaptive agricultural practices to mitigate these climate effects.
Professor Osman Gani Talukder, Vice-Chancellor of Varendra University, advocated for decisive action to address the adverse effects of climate change on livelihoods and agricultural productivity. He classified agriculture, livestock, and fisheries as the most affected sectors, underscoring the urgency of maintaining food production amidst prevailing challenges.
Professor Laila Arzuman Banu noted the widespread impacts of drought, including reduced crop growth and habitat damage due to desertification. She remarked on the reliance on over 16,000 deep tube wells for groundwater extraction, emphasizing the importance of irrigation for sustaining paddy farming and meeting the needs of a growing population.
The article discusses the severe impacts of climate change on agriculture in the Rajshahi region of Bangladesh. With notable shifts in the winter season’s characteristics, the ability of farmers to produce winter crops, particularly vegetables, is severely hindered. Various stakeholders from the farming community and academic institutions are voicing the need for immediate action to safeguard food security and protect farmers’ rights and interests amid these climatic adversities.
In conclusion, climate change poses critical challenges to winter crop farming in Rajshahi, affecting not only agricultural outputs but also the livelihoods of farmers. Urgent action, including climate funding transparency and farmers’ rights protection, is essential to ensure food security and sustain agricultural productivity in the wake of changing weather patterns. Collaborative efforts between the government, stakeholders, and the academic sector are vital to addressing these pressing issues effectively.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
