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Salinity Problems and Crop Production in Coastal Regions of Bangladesh

S. A. HAQUE*
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bangladesh is a deltaic country with total area of 147,570 km² . The major part (80%) of the country consists of alluvial sediments deposited by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Tista, Jamuna, Meghna and their tributaries. Terraces with an altitude of 20-30 m cover about 8% of the country, while hilly areas with an altitude of 10-1000 m occur in the southeastern and northeastern part. The coastal region covers almost 29,000 km² or about 20% of the country. Again, the coastal areas of Bangladesh cover more than 30% of the cultivable lands of the country. About 53% of the coastal areas are affected by salinity. Agricultural land use in these areas is very poor, which is much lower than country’s average cropping intensity. Salinity causes unfavorable environment and hydrological situation that restrict the normal crop production throughout the year. The factors which contribute significantly to the development of saline soil are, tidal flooding during wet season (June-October), direct inundation by saline water, and upward or lateral movement of saline ground water during dry season (November-May). The severity of salinity problem in Bangladesh increases with the desiccation of the soil. It affects crops depending on degree of salinity at the critical stages of growth, which reduces yield and in severe cases total yield is lost. Soil reaction values (pH) in coastal regions range from 6.0-8.4. The organic matter content of the soils is also pretty low (1.0-1.5%). Nutrient deficiencies of N and P are quite dominant in saline soils. Micronutrients, such as Cu and Zn are widespread. During the wet monsoon the severity of salt injury is reduced due to dilution of the salt in the root-zone of the standing crop. The dominant crop grown in the saline areas is local transplanted Aman rice crop with low yields. The cropping patterns followed in the coastal areas are mainly Fallow-Fallow-Transplanted Aman rice. Salinity problem received very little attention in the past. It has become imperative to explore the possibilities of increasing potential of these (saline) lands for increased production of crops. Thus is necessary to have an appraisal of the present state of land areas affected by salinity.

Keywords: Salinity, Crop production, Coastal region, Bangladesh

Location: Coastal regions of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Soil salinity

Objectives:

Objective of this study was to determine salinity problems and crops production in the coastal region of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

This is a review article and here detail discussed on-Physiography of the coastal area; Land characteristics and hydrology of the coastal region; Tidal effect; Salinity built-up; Extent of salinity; Fertility status of saline soils; Current agricultural land use; Constraints for agricultural development; Strategy for management of coastal saline soils and Conclusion.

Source of Information: Pak. J. Bot., 38(5): 1359-1365, 2006.

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.pakbs.org/pjbot/PDFs/38(5)/PJB38(5)1359.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Soil salinity is a worldwide problem. Bangladesh is no exception to it. In Bangladesh, salinization is one of the major natural hazards hampering crop production. Coastal area in Bangladesh constitutes 20% of the country of which about 53% are affected by different degrees of salinity. Agricultural land use in these areas is very poor. Declining land productivity with shift towards negative nutrient balance is among the main concerns with food security problem in the country. Salinity problem received very little attention in the past. Nevertheless, symptoms of such land degradation with salinization are becoming too pronounced in recent years to be ignored. Increased pressure of growing population demand more food. It has become imperative to explore the possibilities of increasing potential of these (saline) lands for increased production of food crops. Thus combating land salinization problem is vital for food security in the country through adoption of long-term land management strategy.

Knowledge Management: Journal