The negative impact of climate change on the agriculture sector of Bangladesh is becoming increasingly severe. With rising temperatures, it is disrupting rice and wheat production.
A study led by Dr Mohammad Kamruzzaman Milon, senior scientific officer at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, warns that farmers face escalating challenges during both monsoon and dry seasons, compounded by rising production costs.
Without decisive actions, the future of the country’s agricultural sector is at risk, threatening its food security and the livelihoods of millions.
Dr Milon emphasised the urgency of proactive measures to address it, said a press release.
“Immediate steps are needed to overcome these challenges. Developing climate-resilient rice varieties, engaging local communities in biodiversity conservation, and adopting innovative agricultural technologies are crucial to support farmers,” he suggested.
The study identifies northeastern and southern regions as particularly vulnerable, with northern districts such as Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Nilphamari, and Kurigram at high risk.
The areas known for diverse year-round crop cultivation are expected to suffer declining yields due to climate-induced changes.
A rise in nighttime temperatures poses a critical threat to rice yields. Cool nights are essential for rice plant growth, but temperatures exceeding 24-25 degree Celsius could disrupt this process, potentially reducing yields by up to 10 percent for every degree of temperature increase.
Similarly, wheat yields could fall by as much as six percent under these conditions.
High temperatures affect crops in multiple ways: they increase respiration rates in rice plants, leading to energy loss; reduce photosynthesis efficiency, hampering food production within the plants; and hinder the development of rice grains.
Moreover, excessive rainfall during the monsoon and droughts in winter are likely to strain irrigation systems, further driving up production costs. Wheat farming faces comparable challenges.
