The concept of climate encompasses temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns. Various geographical factors, such as global air circulation, deforestation, droughts, floods, and average global temperatures, influence an area’s climate. In 1979, the inaugural World Climate Conference highlighted humans as the primary factor in altering the climate. At that time, the changes were minor and did not capture worldwide attention. It became a significant issue when the IPCC (1988) articulated the detrimental effects of climate change globally (Pender, 2008). The main adverse effects of climate change include the greenhouse effect, rising global temperatures, diminishing surface and groundwater, and unpredictable rainfall (Kundzewicz et al., 2009; Pender, 2008). These negative effects harm agriculture directly, as it is closely tied to climatic conditions. Furthermore, the impacts of climate change on global agriculture vary.
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In tropical regions, even small increases in temperature have led to reduced crop yields. In colder zones, a slight rise in temperature initially boosts crop yields but eventually causes a decline. Elevated temperatures result in a significant drop in cereal production (like rice and wheat) worldwide (Stern, 2006). Because temperature, rainfall, and flooding influence agricultural output, agriculture’s contribution to the economies of various countries diminishes. For instance, agricultural productivity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America is projected to fall by up to 20% due to climate change (Edame et al., 2011). In India, agricultural production will fall by up to 24% by 2080. These declines would be a result of climatic shifts (Kumar and Sharma, 2013). As a developing economy, Bangladesh’s agricultural sector is similarly affected by the negative consequences of climate change.
Climatic Factors and the Impacts on Bangladesh Agriculture
Climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, and fog significantly impact agricultural production in Bangladesh. Additionally, it is vulnerable to natural disasters. These include floods, droughts, soil and water salinity, cyclones, and storm surges (Sikder and Xiaoying, 2014). It is estimated that rice production will diminish by an average of 7.4% annually. It is the principal cereal crop in Bangladesh. This decrease is expected between 2005 and 2050 due to climate change (Yu et al., 2010). Likewise, wheat production is the second most important cereal crop. It is subject to the effects of extreme weather events, such as droughts. Research by Tasnin et al. (2015) discovered that wheat yield in the Thakurgaon district of Bangladesh has decreased by an average of 17.4% due to droughts. Another agricultural sector, fisheries, has also faced negative impacts due to climate change. Both freshwater and marine fish projects in Bangladesh’s coastal regions face significant impacts due to climate change. These sectors are facing serious challenges. Their survival is at risk. Consequently, many individuals in these industries are becoming unemployed (Sikder and Xiaoying, 2014).
Choices of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change
Adaptation to climate change is the most effective method. It is a responsive method to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change (Füssel, 2006). The IPCC defines climate change adaptation as a modification in ecological systems. It also involves changes in socio-economic systems. These changes address existing or expected climate change. Both traditional and contemporary strategies for adapting to climate change can assist farmers in managing present climate variability and future climate changes, thereby reducing the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural production and enhancing their food security, income, and livelihood (Bilow et al., 2010). Furthermore, adaptation is seen as a crucial aspect of assessing climate change impacts and uncertainties, as it entails measures aimed at decreasing the vulnerability of communities, areas, or activities to climate change and variability (Skinner et al., 2001). In this context, two critical issues arise—one concerning the assessment of impacts and vulnerabilities, and the other relating to the formulation and assessment of response strategies (Smit et al., 2003). Ecosystems, food supplies, and sustainable development face varying degrees of vulnerability or threat. This variation depends on how susceptible they are to climate change effects. It also depends on the capacity of affected systems to adapt, as noted by UNFCCC (2003). In this light, adaptation is recognized as a significant response strategy. It plays an essential role in addressing climate challenges (Fankhauser, 1996; Smith, 1996; Pielke, 1998; Kane and Shogren, 2000). There are numerous adaptation strategies available to cope with the unpredictable challenges posed by climate change on agricultural output. Bradshaw et al. (2004) highlighted that options such as crop diversification and mixed crop-livestock systems are critical. Utilizing various crop varieties, altering planting and harvesting schedules, and using drought-resistant and high-yield, water-sensitive crops are vital. Additionally, Shongwe et al. (2014) observed that adaptation tactics include drought-tolerant varieties, crop switching, and irrigation. Other strategies are crop rotation, mulching, and minimum tillage. Early and late planting, along with intercropping, can effectively mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture. In addition to this, employing different crops or varieties, tree planting, soil conservation, altering planting schedules, and irrigation are important adaptation strategies to lessen the shocks from climate change in agriculture (Ringler et al., 2009). Furthermore, prevalent adaptation strategies utilized in Bangladesh encompass changing planting schedules, utilizing early maturing and drought-tolerant rice varieties, applying chemical or organic fertilizers, engaging in farming near water sources, mixed cropping, enhancing irrigation practices, establishing shallow tube wells in ponds, constructing embankments, integrating trees within rice fields, crop rotation, selecting short-duration species, and digging small ponds to conserve rainwater (Ghosh et al., 2015; Masud et al., 2014).
Conclusion
The selection of climate change adaptation strategies differs from one farm to another. To choose and implement suitable strategies, a thorough understanding of adaptation methods is essential (Deressa et al., 2009). By being informed about this, farmers can mitigate the effects of climate change challenges and enhance their adaptation efforts. Scientists in Bangladesh are working to deepen their understanding. They are playing a crucial role in the global discourse on agricultural adaptation to climate change. In recent years, Bangladesh has gradually transformed its image. It changed from being one of the most vulnerable countries. Now, it is one of the most resilient in adapting to climate change. This shift has been facilitated by a high level of awareness about climate change issues among all parties involved. Additionally, there is strong governmental backing. Bangladesh has already embraced the emerging field of Community Based Adaptation (CBA). However, there is still an opportunity to take further measures. These measures can bolster local adaptation efforts. Despite significant research conducted in Bangladesh on climate change adaptation, much of it does not meet international quality standards. It also lacks clear guidance on effective adaptation strategies (Huq, 2015). Furthermore, there is still a shortage of literature on how farmers perceive climate change. This is particularly true for smallholder farmers. They address climate change using various local adaptation strategies in Bangladesh.
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