Knowledge Hub

BANGLADESH NATIONAL CONSERVATION STARTEGY (CROP AGRICULTURE)

Files

BANGLADESH NATIONAL CONSERVATION STARTEGY (CROP AGRICULTURE)

Date

January, 2015

Author(s)

ABU WALI RAGHIB HASSAN

TWEET LIKE SHARE

Abstract

Agriculture plays a vital role in economic development of Bangladesh. It faces great challenges day as it has to confront climate change, loss of biological diversity, loss of soil fertility, water shortage, etc. Quality of land is deteriorating due to degradation of soil fertility (e.g. nutrient imbalance), soil erosion, soil and water pollution, depletion of soil organic matter, water logging, increased soil salinity, pan formation, acidification and deforestation. There is non-regulated and excessive use of groundwater and very little effort to augment surface water. Excessive and injudicious use of agro chemicals/fertilizers by the farmer, threatening soil and human health and degrading of agricultural environment and destroy agriculture biodiversity. Unfortunately, no long term strategy has been proposed to conserve agriculture biodiversity or effective use of agriculture biodiversity for improving food production. Obviously, to feed 150 million people is a great challenge. Modern agriculture systems should give attention to conserve agricultural biodiversity. Should adopt techniques of sustainable agriculture system like mixed farming systems, organic agriculture, integrated pest management, more use of organic fertilizers, crop rotation, recycling crop and animal wastes, no-tillage or minimum tillage agriculture, inter- cropping, multi-cropping, cover crops, etc. We have resources, techniques, and good examples, but need integration and patronization of good practices otherwise achieving self-sufficiency in food production but will not be sustainable. Agriculture plays a vital role in economic development of Bangladesh. It faces great challenges day as it has to confront climate change, loss of biological diversity, loss of soil fertility, water shortage, etc. Quality of land is deteriorating due to degradation of soil fertility (e.g. nutrient imbalance), soil erosion, soil and water pollution, depletion of soil organic matter, water logging, increased soil salinity, pan formation, acidification and deforestation. There is non-regulated and excessive use of groundwater and very little effort to augment surface water. Excessive and injudicious use of agro-chemicals/fertilizers by the farmer, threatening soil and human health and degrading of agricultural environment and destroy agriculture biodiversity. Unfortunately, no long term strategy has been proposed to conserve agriculture biodiversity or effective use of agriculture biodiversity for improving food production. Obviously, to feed 150 million people is a great challenge. Modern agriculture systems should give attention to conserve agricultural biodiversity. Should adopt techniques of sustainable agriculture system like mixed farming systems, organic agriculture, integrated pest management, more use of organic fertilizers, crop rotation, recycling crop and animal wastes, no-tillage or minimum tillage agriculture, inter- cropping, multi-cropping, cover crops, etc. We have resources, techniques, and good examples, but need integration and patronization of good practices otherwise achieving self-sufficiency in food production but will not be sustainable. As one of the signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Bangladesh is committed to conserving its biological diversity. Special attention should given in to conserve and use of its unique agricultural biodiversity.

Citation

ABU WALI RAGHIB HASSAN

Publisher

Forest Department, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh;The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Rights Holder