Salinity in agricultural land in Bangladesh, has increased 6 times due to climate change
The normal level of salt in agricultural land in coastal areas is considered to be 7.5 degrees of salinity (DS). Climate change has caused salt contamination in agricultural land in Satkhira’s coastal area of Bangladesh, reaching 25 DS.
A recent study by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has revealed information that has really worried experts. In 2022, the salinity level in these areas was only 4.1 DS. Accordingly, salinity has increased by almost six times in the last three years.
This Boro season, many farmers in the district’s coastal areas are struggling with high salt levels in their soil. These farmers are afraid that Boro production will be disrupted.
Md. Fajr Ali, a Boro farmer from Kamargati village in Kaliganj Upazila, grew Boro on ten bighas of land in the 2024-25 season.
But due to excessive salt in the land, the desired production of Boro rice will be hampered. 20 to 30 percent of the rice plants in the field have dried up due to salt. As a result, the rice has rotted more.
Farmer Amal Kumar of the same Upazila said that he has cultivated Boro on 8 bighas of land this season. But due to sufficient salt in the land and water, the rice yield has not been good.
He said that he will spend 1 lakh 20 thousand taka on Boro cultivation on 8 bighas of land from seedbed to cutting. He doubts if the rice in the field will be enough to cover half the cost.
Dr. Md. Sajjadur Rahman, Chief Scientific Officer at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute’s Satkhira office, reported that many agricultural lands in coastal areas now have high salt levels.
In the Khajabaria area of Kaliganj Upazila, salt levels up to 25 DS were found in Boro cultivation land. Moreover, he said that the presence of salt in groundwater is even higher.
Experimental rice cultivation in the salt-affected area during the 2024-25 season under the Boro Rice Research Project did not meet the expected yield.
He mentioned that excessive salt is hindering Boro rice production in the demonstration fields of the coastal rice research project. Rice plants in the Boro fields have dried up due to salt.
Farmers are encouraged to grow salt-tolerant rice varieties like Bri-Dhan 67, 99, 63, and 108, developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, in saline areas.
The rice research project fields and many Boro farmers in the coastal upazilas of Kaliganj, Debhata, Asashuni, and Shyamnagar are impacted by excessive soil salt.
Sardar Shariful, Assistant Director of the Bangladesh Environment Department in Satkhira District, stated that rapid climate change and reduced freshwater flow are increasing salinity in the southwestern districts. The impact of which is having the greatest impact on agriculture in the Satkhira region.
He warned that if salinity rises gradually, the Satkhira region could face a major environmental disaster and significant crop damage within the next five years. To avoid this disaster, we must plant more trees and create ponds and water bodies now.
