المنتدى العالمي المعني بالأمن الغذائي والتغذية

Nepal C Dey^1* and Wais Kabir²

¹Climate Change and DRM Cluster, The World Bank, Dhaka, Bangladesh

^*Chief Investigator, Climate Actions, Research and Entrepreneurship Development Ltd, Dhaka 1216

² Former Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), &

Consultant, CIMMYT, Dhaka Bangladesh

1.0 Introduction

Building resilient food systems in Bangladesh is crucial for ensuring food security, enhancing livelihoods, and mitigating the impacts of climate change for the increased population with decreased cultivating land accompanied by land degradation. Bangladesh is ranked seventh among the nation’s most at risk from climate change according to the 2021 World Climate Risk Index. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Bangladesh frequently faces climate-driven natural disasters due to its geographical location and low-lying topography. However, the country has made significant progress in achieving food security, with food grain production increasing significantly from 9.774 million tons in 1972 to 64.308 million tons in 2023 [1, 2, 3], Therefore, the aim of the study is to investigate the policies regime and practices that country has adopted for such a record of grain production to building resilient food systems. This paper is prepared based on systematic review of literatures including policy documents, journal articles, country’s outlooks from the homepages of development organizations to investigate the good practices, innovations in the production environment and gap in current strategies. It also encompasses potential policy recommendations for building climate resilient food systems in Bangladesh. 

1. Best Practices and Gaps

Bangladesh has developed a thorough National Food Policy that offers an operational framework for maintaining the country's population's nutrition and food security. The country has long been striving food security while recent policy shift is visible in safety and quality. The goal of the policy is to increase food production while also boosting agricultural practices, distribution and storage infrastructure, and nutrition-sensitive agricultural production. Besides, Social Safety Nets, School feeding initiatives, Women's Empowerment are effective programs that government has been implementing.

The recently formulated National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050) aims to continue these efforts [4], emphasis needs to be given to understand location and technology-specific adaptation capacities in different climatic hazard zones [5]. A systematic review of resilient food systems and innovations across various climatic zones, such as the saline prone coastal areas in the South-west and flash flood prone haor (depressed) areas in the North-east, and drought prone north west could provide valuable insights and recognition for real contributors [5]. By continuing to advance in building resilient food systems and recognizing the importance of localized and technology-specific solutions, Bangladesh can further strengthen its resilience against climate-related challenges. The National Food and Nutrition Security Policy (NFNSP) was approved by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) in August 2020, and aims to ensure that the country achieves its food and nutrition security-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfills relevant national and international commitments by 2030 [21].

1.1.1 Climate-resilient Agriculture: Bangladesh has been proactive and adept in climate change adaptation, mandated by the Constitution in its 15th amendment, Article 18A [6] on the protection and improvement of the environment and biodiversity. Over the decades, Bangladesh has advanced substantially in building adaptive capacity and resilience through formulation and subsequent implementation of relevant policies and regulatory frameworks for enabling climate resilient sustainable development.

Bangladesh's agricultural sector faces major difficulties because of the country's high sensitivity to climate change. In response, the nation has implemented climate-resilient agricultural techniques like encouraging organic farming, adopting drought-tolerant crop types, and installing climate-resilient irrigation systems. These techniques aid farmers in adjusting to shifting climatic conditions and guarantee the sustainability of food production. A review study of over 20 papers, reports and policy documents has identified major progress, challenges and policy recommendations related to resilient food systems [7]. A case study demonstrated that community-based early response with supply of food immediately after any extreme flooding and other extreme events reduces the risk of food and nutrition insecurity, mainly for children [7, 8], is a proven technique to build resilient food systems. A number of case studies in the drought-prone area demonstrated that in order to addressing water scarcity, conservation of surface and groundwater [9], its sustainability [10], timely its application for improving food production and security, environment and health [11] are some proven climate actions for building resilient food systems. The early warning and climate forecasting system helps to save life and livelihood. 

1.1.1.1 Improved crop Varieties: In Bangladesh, improved rice varieties have been developed and widely used to increase agricultural output and resilience. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture has developed 30 climate resistant rice varieties so far, including ten salt tolerant variants, three submergence variations, three drought tolerant varieties, four cold varieties, two tidal submergence varieties, one semi-deep-water variety, and one dual (Sal+Subm) variety [12]. To lessen the effects of frequent flooding, flood-tolerant rice varieties like Swarna-Sub1 and BRRI dhan 51 have been developed. Because of their ability to tolerate protracted submersion, these cultivars allow farmers to reestablish their rice crop even in the wake of major flooding [12]. Develop and distribute crop varieties that are resilient to extreme weather conditions, such as high temperature-resilient crop varieties for each climatic zone would be necessity for improving food security and building resilient food systems. Awareness raising on efficient water management practices, provide training to farmers on CSA management practices, more investment in irrigation infrastructure, rainwater harvesting to cope with water scarcity and irregular rainfall. Short duration crops by research institutes allow additional crops to grow in the cropping pattern and avert risk of flood.

Adoption of climate-resilient farming practices, such as raised bed farming and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) in rice cultivation, has been promoted in Bangladesh. Raised bed farming helps improve soil drainage and reduces waterlogging, while AWD technique reduces water use in rice fields. These practices contribute to water conservation, increase crop productivity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A case study in the North-west Bangladesh demonstrated that the adaption of AWD reduced irrigation costs by about 25% and average yields increased by 8.1% to 13.7% in rice cultivation [13]. Study also demonstrated that on average, only 10% excess water to Gross Irrigation Water Requirement was lifted when AWD method followed. However, modern water management technologies like AWD are likely to be less effective unless volumetric irrigation methods are used. More emphasis on practicing conservation of irrigation mainly in the dry-period, which is found relatively less in the drought prone area [14]. 

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and collaborators undertook a case study in Bangladesh to evaluate the effects of integrated farming practices and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) on agricultural productivity and climate resilience. The project includes implementing CSA practices such crop diversity, zero-tillage, and enhanced water management methods. Farmers that adopted these strategies saw improvements in agricultural production, water use, soil health, and resilience to the effects of climate change. 

2.0 Potential Policy Recommendations 

Focus on Food Utilization and Marginalized Populations: Emphasis needs to be given to the proper utilization of food by improving awareness of nutrition, food safety, and hygiene to achieve proper food security gains [15, 16]. Special attention should be focused on marginalized people living in low-income settings and flood-prone areas to build resilient food systems [7, 8].

Diversification of Crops and Livelihoods: Encourage farmers to grow a variety of crops to reduce dependency on a single crop. This can help mitigate risks associated with pests, diseases, and market fluctuations. Also growing high value crops ensures better income and nutritional security. Implement integrated farming systems that combine crops, livestock, aquaculture, and agroforestry to diversify income sources and enhance resilience.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Conservation agriculture through practicing no-till farming, improving soil organic matter through applying balanced fertilizer, crop rotation, and cover cropping to improve soil health and water retention. Implement agroecological practices that enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as using organic fertilizers, biopesticides, and natural pest control methods. To ensure crop production and ecosystem services, particularly during the dry period and in drought-prone areas, water availability must be secured. This can be achieved through improved management and a joint monitoring system of water availability in canals and river systems, coordinated by the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Bangladesh Water Development Board.

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is being adopted in Bangladesh to reduce pesticide use and promote sustainable farming practices. IPM combines biological control methods, cultural practices, and targeted pesticide use to manage pests effectively while minimizing environmental impacts. A case study in Bangladesh demonstrated that the adoption of IPM practices reduced pesticide use by 50-70% in rice cultivation, resulting in cost savings for farmers and improved ecosystem health.

Floating Gardening Systems: Bangladesh experiences periodic flooding, which complicates agricultural efforts. Farming is now possible during flood events because to the introduction of floating gardening devices, using water hyacinth layered with soil—an old practice which is now expanding in the Southern coastal plains as a climate risk management strategy [17]. Practical Action did a case study on the usage of floating gardens in Bangladesh's flood-prone regions. The study demonstrated that floating gardens enhanced food security, nutrition, and money creation for vulnerable people in addition to offering a way to grow vegetables during floods.

Gher (dyke) farming in the coastal area: Many climate actions such as climate smart technologies have been discovered and farmers themselves in which are being potential in identified here have been used by farmers in the southern coastal plains of Bangladesh for centuries, in response to increasing floods and cyclones [15]. Study also identified that shrimp farming, for example, traditional gher farming—an aquaculture pond in non-saline wetlands with raised dikes for vegetable production—has grown increasingly complex, allowing for the production of shrimp, fish, and prawns. Climbing vine type vegetables are also commonly grown on trellises over the pond. Kangkong (water spinach) cultivation was always done near ponds, and with improved varieties, production can be expanded [15].

Solar-Powered Irrigation: Solar-powered irrigation systems have been constructed to address the country's water shortage and lower the greenhouse gas emissions caused by diesel-powered pumps in Bangladesh. This equipment provides farmers an environmentally friendly and economically practical alternative by using solar energy to power water pumps. A case study from Bangladesh showed how the effective use of solar-powered irrigation systems led to lower fuel costs, greater access to water for irrigation, and higher crop yields [16]. The head of the state declared priority of converting diesel operated to solar irrigation. 

Community-Based Nutrition Programs: Bangladesh has put in place community-based nutrition programs to combat malnutrition. These programs include encouraging the best nursing habits, strengthening complementary feeding for newborns and young children, and improving nutrition teaching and counseling. These initiatives, carried out by community health professionals, have helped to lower malnutrition rates, especially for young children under the age of five.

Public-private Partnerships: To improve nutrition and food security, Bangladesh has encouraged collaborations between the public and private sectors. Collaboration has been made to advance sustainable agricultural methods, provide farmer access to credit, upgrade food processing and storage facilities, and create value chains for agricultural goods. These collaborations have been crucial in fostering innovation, increasing agricultural output, and increasing food accessibility.

These instances highlight a few of the beneficial methods used in Bangladesh to advance the right to food. However, issues like population increase, deteriorating land, and the effects of climate change still exist. To further promote food security, enhance nutrition outcomes, and guarantee the right to food for all Bangladeshis, ongoing efforts and investments are needed. Institutional capacity influences how well these recommendations are implemented in daily life.

Skill-Based Training and Job Opportunities: Provide skill-based training to farmers and rural communities to enhance their adaptive capacity and resilience to any climate disaster. A case study demonstrated discovered that skilled-based occupations, such as service providers holders and businessmen relatively earn better and more resilient to protect livelihood because of stable income and sudden hike of food price might not affect them much as others and thus more food secured in extreme flooding [7, 8]. Create facilities for skill-based training for youth and job opportunities in relevant enterprises to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable people living in different climate hazard areas.

Village-level information hubs: The strengthening of village level information hubs under the Department of Agricultural Extension’s Agricultural Information Service at the Union Parishad complex is a potential starting point to facilitate higher adoption of CSA practices by farmers [17]. Study also identified that ICT sector has increased significantly over the last years and it has the potential to facilitate higher adoption of CSA practices by farmers, through mobile phones and apps.

Strengthening Supply Chains and Market Access: Improve rural infrastructure, such as market access through roads and storage facilities, to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure timely access to markets. Establish strong linkages between farmers and markets through cooperatives, contract farming, and digital platforms to ensure fair prices and reduce market risks.

Access to Finance and Insurance: Enhance access to credit and microfinance services for smallholder farmers, enabling them to invest in resilient farming practices and technologies. Additionally, develop insurance products that protect farmers against crop failures caused by natural disasters, pests, and diseases.

Research and Extension Services: Increased investment in research is needed to develop resilient crop varieties, sustainable farming techniques, and climate-smart innovations. Emphasis should be placed on producing peer-reviewed publications, which are currently insufficient in our countries and research institutes. Conducting village-level water balance studies is essential to understand needs and gaps for better water management, especially during dry periods.  Additionally, agricultural extension linkage services to quick disseminate knowledge and best practices to farmers, particularly focusing on resilience-building techniques.

Policy Support and Governance: Effectively implement policies that support sustainable agriculture, protect natural resources, and provide incentives for resilience-building practices. Ensure the participation of smallholder farmers, women, and marginalized communities in decision-making processes related to agriculture and food systems.

Community-Based Approaches: Strengthen local institutions and community-based organizations (producer organizations) to foster collective action and efficient resource management. More engagement of communities in participatory planning and decision-making to ensure that resilience-building initiatives are context-specific and locally accepted.

Leveraging Technology and Innovation: Digital technologies have recently emerged as effective tools for enhancing agricultural extension services [18, 19]. Digitalization has enabled agri-tech entrepreneurs and startups to create innovative business models for smallholder farmers, reducing transaction and discovery costs [20]. Emerging digital agriculture technologies are expected to improve service delivery, decision-making, value addition, productivity, profitability, resilience, and sustainability across the food supply chain. Increased use of digital technologies, such as mobile apps, remote sensing, and data analytics, can provide real-time information on weather, pest outbreaks, and market prices.

Innovation Hubs: Effective use of innovation hubs and incubators to promote the development and adoption of new technologies and practices in agriculture.

By implementing these recommendations and beyond, Bangladesh can build resilient food systems that are capable of withstanding various shocks and stresses, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable development. Building resilient food systems in Bangladesh is crucial for ensuring food security, enhancing livelihoods, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By continuing to advance in climate resilience in food system, recognizing the importance of localized and technology-specific solutions, focusing on proper food utilization, supporting marginalized populations, and providing skill-based training and job opportunities, Bangladesh can further strengthen for building resilient food systems.

References

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