Saline Agriculture scoping mission in Bangladesh

Last week, NWP organised a scoping mission on saline agriculture in Bangladesh. The scoping mission ties in with a broad and intensive range of activities and programmes that NWP and partners have developed in recent years at the nexus of water-agri-food. The mission was a preparation and foundation for the planned workshop on saline agriculture in Bangladesh this autumn. It was helpful to connect with farmers and the private sector in Bangladesh and understand their needs, as they are considered the 'drivers of change'.

Salinisation has a major impact on food production

With three major rivers flowing through it ─ the Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra – much of Bangladesh lies in the Ganges Delta, the largest delta in the world. In the low-lying parts of the delta, salinisation has a major impact on food production and hence on farmers' incomes. Climate change and sea level rise exacerbate the impact of salt water on the fertile clay soils in the delta. In addition, salinisation threatens scarce freshwater supplies while fresh water is crucial for most cropping systems and for drinking water supply.

Realising awareness and activating local leaders

The Netherlands and the Government of Bangladesh have a strategic partnership in the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. For farmers, short and medium-term operational perspectives are particularly important. The Dutch water and agri-industry can help Bangladesh by sharing knowledge and placing water applications in agriculture and horticulture in a chain approach, raising awareness, and activating local leaders in agricultural chains.

In-country exploration to understand the needs

Netherlands Water Partnership’s experience with saline agriculture in another delta (Vietnam) showed that starting with in-country exploration to determine the needs of the private sector is an important 'driver to change'. Close cooperation with Sara Bangla Krishak Society (the national farmers' organisation in Bangladesh) and the Asian Farmers’ Association (the international umbrella association of farmers' organisations in Asia) is an effective and special method to be quickly introduced to key figures in agricultural chains and networks. The support of FAO’s country office in Bangladesh makes this collaboration even stronger. Dutch suppliers can then respond through activities such as offering training, monitoring water quality, testing soils, and providing salt and drought-tolerant crop varieties.

This scoping mission helped identify the knowledge needs of the Bangladeshi partners involved in food production, such as farmers’ groups, suppliers, and other companies. We generated interest in cooperating with Dutch organisations working at the interface of water management and agriculture, and showed local stakeholders some practical measures for prevention, mitigation, and adaptation.

Peter Prins

Senior Advisor on Water and Agriculture at NWP

Salinisation has a major impact on food production

With three major rivers flowing through it ─ the Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra – much of Bangladesh lies in the Ganges Delta, the largest delta in the world. In the low-lying parts of the delta, salinisation has a major impact on food production and hence on farmers' incomes. Climate change and sea level rise exacerbate the impact of salt water on the fertile clay soils in the delta. In addition, salinisation threatens scarce freshwater supplies while fresh water is crucial for most cropping systems and for drinking water supply.

Realising awareness and activating local leaders

The Netherlands and the Government of Bangladesh have a strategic partnership in the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. For farmers, short and medium-term operational perspectives are particularly important. The Dutch water and agri-industry can help Bangladesh by sharing knowledge and placing water applications in agriculture and horticulture in a chain approach, raising awareness, and activating local leaders in agricultural chains.

Make farmers more resilient to salinisation

“During, the five day scoping mission, SBKS and FAO did a great job by introducing us to various farmers’ groups and other relevant stakeholders, such as knowledge institutes and the regional government so that we could get a good understanding of the practical needs in coping with saline water and soils. The workshop on Saline Agriculture this autumn will focus on the exchange of knowledge and collaboration between the Dutch and Bangladesh public and private sectors. The goal is to develop programmes and projects with the key cooperatives and companies that will ultimately enhance local farmers’ organisations with practical skills and make farmers more resilient to salinisation and a limited availability of freshwater. This will boost agricultural development in Bangladesh.”

The scoping mission was organised by NWP and supported by Topsector Water & Maritime. The workshop, which will be organised by NWP later this year, is part of the multi-year Water for Food Programme, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality.