Water-Saving Cropping Pattern as A Strategy to Combat Climate Change Effects and Sustain Groundwater Resource in The Dry, North-Western Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Increased groundwater use in the Barind area during the last few decades has caused serious groundwater level decline, decreased pump discharge and hence increased irrigation cost, and many associated hydrological problems which have become the biggest threat to sustainable agricultural production under climate change situation. The aims of this research were (i) to identify optimum/water-saving irrigation schedule of possible crops of different seasons, and (ii) yearly total yield and irrigation need assessment of different crop rotations to identify water-saving crop rotation. Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years at four locations with four new cropping patterns, intervening non-rice crops (wheat, mustard, lentil) as well as natural rainfall matching ‘Aus rice’ crop. Irrigation water savings and economic benefits of each cropping pattern were evaluated. The results revealed that cultivation of non- rice crops instead of irrigation-intensive ‘Boro rice’ along with efficient irrigation schedule can reduce a substantial amount (48 - 58%) of irrigation demand along with higher economic benefits (both net profit and Benefit Cost Ratio). The findings of this research will help to plan management decisions to combat the declining trend of groundwater table, as well as the consequences of climate change and drought.