Overcoming Risks Associated with Cropping Systems Intensification in the Coastal Zone of the Ganges Delta

Along with other Asian Mega deltas, the Ganges Delta, and its Coastal zone, are attracting increased attention due to the threats posed by climate change and the extent of rural poverty, juxtaposed against the potential for systems intensification and improved livelihoods. While it is a salt-affected zone, the constraints to systems intensification are many and they often interact (drought-salinity, waterlogging-salinity, heat stress). Moreover, the expression and intensity of these constraints can change throughout the year, particularly during the dry/Rabi season, from year to year, and from location to location. Improved rice varieties that mature 10 to 15 days earlier and increase yield by 0.5-1 t ha-1 are a foundational change that enables cropping systems intensification in the Coastal zone in the dry season. Sowing Rabi season crops earlier (before mid-December) increases their yield potential and decreases the risk associated with many constraints which intensify towards the end of the dry season (low solute potential, waterlogging and salinity, heat stress, storms). However, early sowing of Rabi season crops increases the risk of early waterlogging and that needs to be managed by drainage. Scarcity of freshwater continues to be a major constraint to dry season cropping. Short duration crops (e.g. vegetables, watermelon), water-saving technologies (e.g. mulch, drip irrigation) and restricted planting of dry-season Boro rice (to areas with adequate freshwater) are needed for resilience of the cropping systems intensification. Community-based management of water resources for both drainage and equitable allocation of freshwater needs to be part of intensification plans. Within the Coastal zone, there is considerable diversity of land type, freshwater resource availability, and farm type which need to be recognized in scale-out programs. Disaster preparedness needs to be embedded in any scale-out plans for systems intensification since the risk of land and water salinization from storm surges is real and enduring.