WATER MANAGEMENT AND CROPPING PATTERNS OPTIMIZATION FOR ENHANCED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN SUNAMGANJ HAOR AREAS

Abstract

Haors are bowl-shaped wetlands where water remains stagnant or experiences flash flooding between June and November. This study assessed current water management practices, cropping patterns, and associated challenges in the haor regions of Sunamganj District, using both hydro-meteorological analysis and field-based data. Primary data were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews and field assessments, from three Upazilas: Bishwamvarpur, Tahirpur, and Jamalgonj, involving 120 respondents. Secondary data were obtained from Upazila Administrations, Bangladesh Water Development Board, and Department of Agricultural Extension. Most respondents were farmers, and a significant portion of their cultivable land was classified as lowland. The study results show that the Rabi season is the main cropping period, while lands remain fallow during the Kharif-1 and Kharif-2 seasons due to flooding. Hydro-meteorological analysis indicates that transitioning from a single-cropping system (110-117 days) to a double-cropping pattern (174-191 days) could enhance productivity. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive technical studies on water management to assess the potential for large-scale agricultural intensification in the lowlands of the haor region, enhancing overall productivity.

References

Abedin, M.A, Parvin, G.A., Habiba, U., Kibria, M.G., Ahsan, R., Onitsuka, K., Rahman, M.M., Kobeasy, M.I. and Gaber, A. 2022. ICT uses, constraints, and challenges in flash flood risk management: a case study in North-Eastern Haor Areas of Bangladesh. Sustainability. 14(13): 8018.

Alam, M.S., Quayum, M.A. and Islam, M.A. 2010. Crop production in the Haor areas of Bangladesh: insights from farm level survey. The Agriculturists. 8(2): 88-97.

Awal, M.A. 2022. Exploring adaptation gaps among the stakeholders to flood shocks in haor agriculture of Bangladesh. Discovery. 58(323): 1230-1244.

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). 2023. Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics 2022. Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Basher, M.A., Stiller-Reeve, M.A., Saiful Islam, A.K.M. and Bremer, S. 2018. Assessing climatic trends of extreme rainfall indices over northeast Bangladesh. Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 134: 441-452.

Bishwamvarpur Upazila. 2022.Wikipedia.

Bokhtiar, S.M., Islam, M.J., Samsuzzaman, S., Jahiruddin, M., Panaullah, G.M., Salam, M.A. and Hossain, M.A. 2024. Constraints and Opportunities of Agricultural Development in Haor Ecosystem of Bangladesh. Ecologies, 5(2): 256-278.

Brammer, H. 2012. Physical geography of Bangladesh. University Press Limited.

Cell, C.C. 2009. Adaptive Crop Agriculture Including Innovative Farming Practices in Haor Basin. Climate Change Cell, DoE, MoEF. Available online: https://www. scribd. com/document/261095172/Adaptive-Crop-Agriculture-Including-Innovative-Farming-Practices-in-Haor-Basin-2009 (accessed on 5 January 2021).

Haque, C.E. 2016. “We are more scared of the power elites than the floods”: Adaptive capacity and resilience of wetland community to flash flood disasters in Bangladesh. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 19: 145-158.

Haque, M.A., Moniruzzaman, S.M., Hossain, M.F. and Alam, M.A. 2022. Assessment of climate change risks and adaptation of improved farming practices in dekhar haor of Sunamganj district. Bangladesh J. Agric. 47: 39-65.

Haque, M.M., Bremer, S., Aziz, S.B. and van der Sluijs, J.P. 2017. A critical assessment of knowledge quality for climate adaptation in Sylhet Division, Bangladesh. Climate Risk Management. 16: 43-58.

Haque, S., Islam, A.K.M.S., Islam, G.T., Salehin, M. and Khan, M.J.U. 2017. Event based flash flood simulation at Sunamganj using HEC-HMS. In 6th international conference on water & flood management (ICWFM-2017).

HCTT: Flash Flood. 2022. Humanitarian Response Plan, UN Bangladesh Coordinated Appeal, Humanitarian Coordination Task Team. 28: 2022.

Islam, M.A. 2010. Adaptive crop agriculture including innovative practices in Haor basin. Centre for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS), Bangladesh. Proceedings of the South Asia Regional Consultations on Strengthening Climate Resilience through a Climate Smart Disaster Risk Management Approach. Faridabad, Delhi NCR, India. pp.14-16.

Jakariya, M. and Islam, M.N. 2017. Evaluation of climate change induced vulnerability and adaptation strategies at Haor areas in Bangladesh by integrating GIS and DIVA model. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. 3(4): 1303-1321.

Jamalganj Upazila. 2022. Wikipedia.

Kamrozzaman, M.M. 2015. On-farm evaluation of production potential and economics of Wheat-Jute-T.aman rice-based cropping system. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 13(1): 93-100.

Khan, M.N.H., Mia, M.Y. and Hossain, M.R. 2012. Impacts of flood on crop production in Haor areas of two Upazillas in Kishoregonj. J. Enviro. Sci. Nat. Resoes. 5(1): 193-198.

Masood, M. and Rasmy, A.W.M. 2024. Necessary storage for managing early flash flood to save crops in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh. Proceedings of IAHS. 386: 27-32.

Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. 2023. Post Disaster Needs Assessment Bangladesh: Floods 2022 (Rep. No. 50). Government of Bangladesh.

Mohiuddin, M. and Sarker, M.N. 2019. Development of four crops based on T. Aus – T. Aman – Potato – Jute (leaf) cropping pattern against Chilli -T. Aman – Potato cropping pattern. Paper presented in the regional research extension review and program-planning workshop, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur. pp. 11-13.

Mohiuddin, M., Hossain, M.F., Sarker, M.N., Naher, Q. and Ishtiaque, S. 2022. Transforming Single Crop System into Double Cropping Pattern in Upper Catena of Haor Area: An Approach to Increasing Cropping Intensity, Productivity and Profitability. Bangladesh J. Political Econ. 38(1): 181-190.

MPO. 1987. National Water Management Plan: Phase II, Final Report, Master Planning Organization.

Nazrul, M.I., Hasan, M.K. and Mondal, M.R.I. 2017. Production potential and economics of mung bean in rice based cropping pattern in Sylhet region under AEZ 20.

Rahaman, M.M., Sajib, K.I. and Alam, I. 2016. Impacts of climate change on the livelihoods of the people in Tanguar Haor, Bangladesh. Change. 7: 8.

Rahman, M.M., Thompson, J.R. and Flower, R.J. 2020. Hydrological impacts of climate change on rice cultivated riparian wetlands in the Upper Meghna River Basin (Bangladesh and India). Hydrology. Sci. J. 65(1): 33-56.

Rahman, S.T., Koley, N.J. and Akter, S. 2018. Morphological study of Surma river: A geographic investigation. Am. J. Water Resoes. 6(2): 53-61.

Sharma, P. 2011. Scenario of haor vulnerabilities and other obstacles for sustainable livelihood development in Nikli Upazila. J. Bangladesh Agril. Uni. 8(2), 83–290. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7939

Tahirpur Upazila. 2022. Wikipedia.

Uddin, M.T., Hossain, N. and Dhar, A.R. 2019. Business prospects and challenges in Haor areas of Bangladesh: Business prospects and challenges in Haor areas. J. Bangladesh Agril. Uni. 17(1): 65-72.