Is the propensity of increasing the rice production a sustainable approach? Experiences from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

Abstract

Half of the world’s population consumes rice as their staple food, making it one of the most demanding crops in the world. South Asia covers 37.5% of global rice harvested area and contributes 32% of global rice production. Due to high population growth rate, the demand for rice in South Asia will continue to increase. At present, around 276 million people in South Asia are undernourished. India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are the three largest rice producing countries in South Asia. This research aims to examine the production, import and export patterns of rice, the availability and usages of land and water resources in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan during 1961-2014 so that proper policies could be made to develop sustainable rice production practices and to ensure regional food security. AQUASTAT and FAOSTAT databases of Food and Agriculture Organization are used as the primary sources of data. During 1961-2014, the production of rice in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan had increased by 193.89%, 262.65%, and 314.20% respectively. Groundwater based irrigation system is the most influential factor to heighten the rice production resulting in severe groundwater depletion and land degradation in these countries. Cultivation of high water consuming crops like rice and less practice of surface water irrigation escalate the stress on groundwater resources. The study concluded that present rice production practices in these countries are not sustainable. Finally, it recommended few steps to be considered by India, Bangladesh and Pakistan for promoting sustainable rice production and agricultural practices in the region.