Shortage of water in Teesta river basin and its impact on crop production in northern Bangladesh

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to (i) assess the extent of water shortage in the downstream of Teesta River Basin (TRB) areas; (ii) explore the problems associated with crop production due to water shortage in TRB areas and (iii) examine the impact of water shortage on crop production in TRB areas. The study was conducted in four villages under Nilphmari district during April, 2015. By secondary data analysis and farmers' perception it was clear that water flow and discharge of Teesta river was decreasing significantly during the last 15 years. The major impact was the dramatic increase in costs of irrigation of major crops and ultimately rise in the costs of production and less profit from farming. All of the farmers (100%) opined that the irrigation costs of major crops have been increasing due to shortage of water. The cultivation of LWRC due to water shortage was also a major impact of water shortage on crop production. Farmers were concentrating more on cultivating maize, tobacco, wheat, different types of vegetables etc. compared to rice particularly in dry season. Different types of problems like increased amount of heavy metal in crop land due to continuous uplifting of ground water, decrease soil fertility, increase pests and diseases to crops, fallowing of high and medium high land, increase of fertilizer and pesticide costs etc. were affecting farmers severely in crop production.

Rapid Emergence and Increasing Risks of Hailstorms: A Potential Threat to Sustainable Agriculture in Northern Bangladesh

“…It is assumed that if there are more flash floods, similar problems on the same scale of severity would reoccur. Every year, severe droughts occur in the study area, that result in 30-40% of crop loss due to the scarcity of surface water and irrigation facilities [31]. Almost every year, about 10-15% of crop damage occurs due to heavy rain and temporal water-logged conditions.…”

The impoverishment of political discourse and legal rights in transboundary Teesta water management

“…During the period, Bangladesh needs fair water sharing for agricultural production. Approximately 100,000 ha of land under five districts in Bangladesh are severely affected due to upstream withdrawals of the Teesta's waters in India (Raihan et al, 2018). In this milieu, disputes over the water sharing of the Teesta river create political tensions between Bangladesh and India.…”

“…Afroz and Rahman (2013) explored the effects of upstream water diversion in the Ganges river basin from India on the socioeconomic development and environmental conditions in northern Bangladesh. Raihan et al (2017) assessed the negative impacts of water shortage on agriculture production and fisheries in the downstream Teesta River Basin (TRB) areas. Reviewing the existing literature, this article concludes that the dispute over Teesta river water‐sharing issue was not examined in accordance with the principles of international law.…”

“…For instance, Raihan et al (2017) found that due to water scarcity, farmers incur higher irrigation costs for crop production. Farmers are forced to use a variety of expensive mechanical devices, such as centrifugal pumps, deep‐well turbines, submersible pumps, and propeller pumps (Raihan et al, 2017). Not only in Bangladesh, but the Teesta River is the lifeline of North Bengal in India, and nearly a half‐dozen of districts in West Bengal depend on its waters.…”

Determinants of Farmers’ Risk Perceptions of Hailstorms in Northern Bangladesh: Is Adaptive Capacity the Major Concern?

“…These two Union council areas were selected based on the Bangladesh Department of Agricultural Extension's reports, and consultations with local agricultural department officials and resources personnel on the significance of crop production and the natural hazard profile. Every year, severe agricultural droughts occur in Panchagarh and, as a result, 30-40% of crop loss occurs due to the scarcity of surface water and limited irrigation facilities [47]. Hailstorms occur every year, and about 55-75% of crops are totally destroyed after a catastrophic storm; thus, this district is prioritized as facing the riskiest hazards in the region [13].…”