Climate Change and Food Security in Vulnerable Coastal Zones of Bangladesh

Abstract

Climate Change induced hazards, including cyclonic events, variations in temperature and rainfall, drought and salinity intrusion in water resources and soil are adversely affecting the agricultural production and food security in Bangladesh. Much more alarmingly, it is expected that Sea Level Rise will further deteriorate the agriculture sector in future. The fall of rice production in the coastal zones already indicates a disturbing situation under the already changing climatic elements. A number of studies have been under taken to explore the impacts, the adaptation measures being taken and that can be taken, vulnerability of the people living in these areas, and the loss and damages imposed upon the agricultural sector in the coastal zones. Both quantitative and qualitative tools were applied to measure agricultural productivity and vulnerability in the study locations. This paper is mainly based on the review of such recent studies on climate change and agriculture related issues in the coastal areas. It shows that cyclonic events (e.g. Cyclone Sidr 2007 and Cyclone Aila 2009) and the associated salinity intrusion have drastically affected the agricultural production (mainly rice and vegetables) in most of the coastal districts. According to a recent study, 86 % households believe that the local rice production (aman) has decreased because of salinity intrusion in soil in the study villages.