Influence of climate-induced disasters and climatic variability on cropping pattern and crop production in Bangladesh

The southern part of Bangladesh is one of the most affected regions facing the devastating impacts of climate change particularly in case of crop production. Impacts of climate-induced disasters and climatic variability on cropping pattern and crop production in Satkhira district have been studied. Thirty-five year (1980-2014) climatic data (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) were used for seasonal (Kharif-I, Kharif-II, and Robi) trend analysis. It has been identified that the cropping pattern needed to be modified by local farmers due to climate change impacts and crop production has declined severely in the study areas. For instance, in the Kharif-II season, during the period 2008-2009 with an agricultural land area of 13,670 hectares, the average production was only 2.58 mt per hectare. The study shows a significant strong positive correlation between seasonal average rainfall and seasonal average humidity (r = 0.75, p < 0.05) during the Robi season. A significant strong negative correlation between seasonal average temperature and seasonal average humidity (r = - 0.60, p < 0.05) during the Kharif-I season was also found. We suggest some adaptation strategies to cope with the changing condition such as increased use of salt- and flood-tolerant varieties, floating bed vegetable cultivation, and dyke cropping system (mainly for vegetable), which can eventually reduce vulnerabilities and increase food security.