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Gis-based Natural Resource Analysis for Rice Production in the Flood-prone Areas of Bangladesh

A. Iqbal
GIS Project, BARC, Farmgate.

H. Ali
IRRI, Banani, Dhaka.

M.L. Bose
IRRI, Banani, Dhaka.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Rice production in flood-prone areas (except tidal flooding) has been explored taking into account specifically the natural resources- their problems and development opportunities. For this purpose, geographic information systems (GIS) have been used as a tool for resource analysis. Key resources such as land, soil, climate, and hydrology have been analyzed. Major parameters such as land type, permeability, available soil moisture, length of growing period (LGP), and thermal suitability were used in the process to delineate area, to map rice suitability and flood and drought hazards, and to demonstrate their effects on rice productivity in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Flood-prone, Geographic Information Systems, Rice

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Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Non-commodity: GIS

Objectives:

To analyzed the rice production in the flood-prone areas of Bangladesh using GIS

Methodology:

The research was conducted using secondary data on natural resource, eg., land, soil, climate, and hydrology. Major parameters such as land type, permeability, available soil moisture, length of growing period (LGP), and thermal suitability were used in the process to delineate area, to map rice suitability and flood and drought hazards, and to demonstrate their effects on rice productivity in Bangladesh. Data were collected from Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 1970-98, and World Bank - BARC Review Workshop 2000.

Source of Information: Rice research and development in the flood-prone ecosystem. Proceedings of the international workshop on flood-prone rice systems held in Gazipur, Bangladesh, 9-11 January 2001. Los Banos (Philoppines): International Rice Research Institute, 283 P

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The flood-prone areas of Bangladesh provide ample opportunities for growing different varieties of rice in different seasons of the year. Nevertheless, the choice of variety as well as the season of rice production are largely governed by hydrological characteristics and the frequency of occurrence of natural hazards. Besides hydrology, soil characteristics such as soil texture, fertility, permeability, avail- ability and quality of irrigation water, and management are the other important fac- tors that influence rice productivity. Further, except for boro paddy, rice in Bangladesh is generally grown under rainfed conditions. Thus, rainfall characteristics (amount and distribution pattern) playa decisive role. In other words, agroecological characteristics with spatial and temporal variability actually determine different levels of suitability of the rice crops in Bangladesh. From the socioeconomic point of view (preference of rice as a matter of cultural setup, food security, and food habit), rice will perhaps continue to retain priority over other crops in area. As a result, it will enjoy decided preference, not only in the kharif-1 and kharif-2 seasons but also in the dry rabi season, in spite of the much-needed diversification of cropping. The rice-based pattern needs to be tailored with at least one nonrice crop where possible with a view to producing and providing nutrition to the malnourished millions, reducing dependency on the import of pulses and oilseed crops, conserving soil health, and sustaining land productivity. The monoculture of paddy, especially in the irrigation project areas, without allowing proper aeration of land, has already created physical (lowering of structural stability load bearing capacity), chemical (zinc, sulfur, boron, and other nutrient deficiencies), and biological (decline in benign microbial populations) problems. Further, monoculture of paddy with its shallow fibrous root system causes continuous nutrient mining from the upper few-centimeters-thick and fertile soil without allow- ing recycling from the underlying subsoil. This is a serious soil resilience problem, particularly in the face of growing cultivation of modem rice varieties without judicious fertilizer application by most resource-poor farmers of the country. The recent revelation of the decline or stagnation in yield of modem rice varieties is a manifestation of that. Imbalanced fertilization, improper soil-crop-water management practices, the non availability of desired technology and the inadequate adoption of modem technologies, the increase in the cost of production, degradation of soil, and the lack of a favorable policy environment are responsible for such a situation. Appropriate rice technology needs to be developed for the 1.9 million ha of deeply flooded areas and 0.51 million ha of active flood-prone (char) areas of the country. Rice scientists need to focus more on developing high-yielding varieties and making tangible advances in developing hybrid rice varieties suitable for the different agroecosystems of the country. Locally suited technologies need to be further improved and adopted. With the predicted change in climate, the extent and duration of inundation will be much more. With the rise in temperature and higher evapotranspiration, the drought effect will be highly pronounced. Research thus needs to be reoriented to adjust to this changed situation. Rice scientists, extension personnel, and NGO personnel need to work in harmony to combat upcoming problems.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings