IN THE fertile plains of Bangladesh, where emerald rice fields define both landscape and livelihood, agriculture has long stood as a pillar of survival. Yet beneath this green abundance lies a growing contradiction. The very practices that sustain food security are increasingly contributing to environmental degradation and climate change. As the country strives to feed over 170 million people, the expansion of farming into fragile ecosystems, inefficient water use, and emissions from rice and livestock are quietly intensifying greenhouse gas accumulation, posing a profound challenge for sustainability.
Agriculture remains central to Bangladesh’s economy, contributing over 12 per cent of gross domestic product and employing more than a third of the workforce. Rice alone occupies about 76 per cent of total cropped land and produced over 39 million tonnes in 2022–23, making the country one of the world’s largest producers. This heavy dependence, however, has driven expansion into ecologically sensitive zones — wetlands, forest edges, and coastal areas — where natural systems once acted as buffers against floods and climate shocks. Their degradation is now eroding biodiversity, weakening ecosystem services, and reducing carbon storage capacity.
The environmental costs of this expansion are particularly evident in Bangladesh’s vulnerable landscapes. Wetlands in haor regions, which historically absorbed floodwaters and supported fisheries, are increasingly converted into cropland, disrupting natural hydrological cycles. Similarly, encroachment into forested and coastal ecosystems undermines resilience to cyclones and storm surges. These ecosystems are not merely passive landscapes; they play an active role in regulating climate and absorbing emissions. Their loss accelerates carbon release while diminishing the environment’s capacity to recover.
Water use in agriculture presents another critical concern. Despite Bangladesh’s extensive river systems, irrigation accounts for nearly 88 per cent of total freshwater withdrawals, reflecting heavy dependence on water-intensive farming practices. In dry-season Boro rice cultivation, groundwater extraction has intensified, leading to falling water tables in several regions. The reliance on diesel-powered pumps further adds to emissions, with irrigation-related activities alone contributing an estimated 2.27 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually. Inefficient water management thus not only strains resources but also deepens the carbon footprint of agriculture.
Rice cultivation itself lies at the heart of Bangladesh’s emissions challenge. Flooded paddy fields create oxygen-deprived conditions that encourage methane-producing microbes, making rice a major source of greenhouse gases. Studies show that agricultural emissions in Bangladesh reached approximately 34.3 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent in 2021, with rice cultivation, fertiliser use, and livestock among the leading contributors. Methane, in particular, plays a dominant role in the country’s warming impact, accounting for more than half of total emissions, with crop production and livestock each contributing roughly two-fifths.
Livestock farming further compounds the problem. The sector contributes about 16 per cent of agricultural GDP and supports millions of livelihoods, yet it is also a significant source of methane emissions through enteric fermentation and manure management. As demand for animal protein rises with economic growth, emissions from this sector are expected to increase unless mitigated through improved feeding practices, breeding, and waste management systems. This dual role — as both an economic asset and an environmental burden — highlights the complexity of agricultural transformation.
The cumulative effect of these practices is a reinforcing cycle: agriculture contributes to climate change, while climate change, in turn, threatens agricultural productivity. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme events are already disrupting cropping patterns and reducing yields. Without intervention, this cycle risks undermining both food security and environmental stability, placing Bangladesh in an increasingly precarious position.
Encouragingly, pathways toward more sustainable agriculture are emerging. Climate-smart practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) in rice cultivation have demonstrated potential to reduce water use and methane emissions significantly while maintaining yields. Research suggests that improved irrigation techniques and diversified cropping systems can lower emissions without compromising productivity. However, adoption remains uneven, often constrained by limited awareness, financial barriers, and institutional gaps.
Policy responses are gradually evolving to address these interconnected challenges. National climate strategies now recognise agriculture as both a contributor to and a victim of climate change, emphasising sustainable land use, water efficiency, and emission reduction. Investments in research and innovation — particularly through institutions such as the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute — are supporting the development of resilient crop varieties and low-emission farming practices. Yet translating policy into practice at scale remains a formidable task.
At the grassroots level, smallholder farmers face difficult trade-offs. With limited access to technology, credit, and climate information, many prioritise immediate yields over long-term sustainability. This underscores the need for targeted support systems that enable farmers to adopt environmentally sound practices without risking their livelihoods. Equally important is raising public awareness about the environmental costs embedded in food production and consumption patterns.
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. Its achievements in agricultural growth and food security are undeniable, but sustaining these gains in a changing climate demands a fundamental shift. Protecting fragile ecosystems, improving water efficiency, and reducing emissions from farming are no longer optional — they are essential to the country’s future.
The challenge is not to reduce agriculture, but to redefine it. By aligning productivity with sustainability, Bangladesh can transform its food systems into engines of resilience rather than sources of ecological strain. The fields that have long fed the nation must now also help safeguard its climate, ensuring that growth does not come at the cost of the environment on which it ultimately depends.
Dr Makhan Lal Dutta is an irrigation engineer and CEO of Harvesting Knowledge Consultancy.
