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Abstract
Pumping groundwater for irrigation in Bangladesh is a major energy-consuming process and mostly depends on diesel fuel, which is related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But that issue has not yet been addressed in Bangladesh. `In this study, we have estimated GHG emissions for dry season (DS) irrigated rice considering all irrigation devices with their lifting heads, area coverage, and water sources (surface and groundwater) and power sources (diesel and electricity) during 2019–2020. GHG emissions varied with locations, sources of irrigation, fuel and water sources used. Irrigation water driven GHG emission in Bangladesh is about 2.27 million tons (Mt) CO2e DS−1, which is about only 4% of agricultural sector GHG emission. Groundwater pumps contributed the lion shares (2.04 Mt CO2e DS−1), and surface water pumps contributed only 0.23 Mt CO2e DS−1. Based on the GHG emissions, Rajshahi Division is the main hotspot followed by Rangpur and Mymensingh Divisions, because of intensive groundwater used in these areas. Current deep tubewells (DTWs), shallow tubewells (STWs) and low lift pumps (LLPs) area coverage is about 19.2%, 56.8% and 24.0% of the total cultivable areas of the country; but it contributes about 49.1%, 40.6% and 10.3% of emitted GHG, respectively. The results revealed that withdrawal of groundwater is an important source of GHG emission. Therefore, expansion of surface water irrigation facilities with the adoption of different improved distribution systems, water and energy saving technologies like alternate wetting and drying practices, conservation agriculture along with water use-efficient varieties for rice cultivation can be promoted for reducing GHG emission.
Highlights
Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in its agricultural sector, achieving near self-sufficiency in rice production (Kabir et al 2015, 2020)
The depth to groundwater level (GWL) was the highest in the Rajshahi division followed by Mymensingh and Dhaka divisions and the lowest was found in Barishal division followed by Chattogram and Khulna divisions (Table 1)
As irrigation water pumping is an energy-consuming on-farm process, it is unswervingly related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Summary
Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in its agricultural sector, achieving near self-sufficiency in rice production (Kabir et al 2015, 2020). Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change (2025) 30:8 to 38.1 Mt in 2022 and stands third position in the world rice production ranking for providing food to an increased population of 168 million (Kabir et al 2015; Mainuddin and Kirby 2015; BBS 2022). This increase in rice production was possible because of intensive irrigation. Production of other cereals (wheat and maize), potatoes, vegetables, and fruits has increased remarkably over the last few decades (Mainuddin et al 2019) In these ways, Bangladesh’s agriculture has significantly contributed to poverty reduction (World Bank 2016) which was possible due to the development of irrigation facilities. The projected population will be increased by 185 million in 2030 and 202 million in 2050 (United Nations 2017) resulting in additional rice requirement of 12.4 and 21.0 Mt by 2030 and 2050, respectively (Mainuddin and Kirby 2015)
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