Northwest Bangladesh Faces Agricultural Setback Amid Climate Shifts

Climate change is posing a significant threat to agriculture in Bangladesh’s northwest, with crop yields potentially declining by up to 25% by the end of the century, recent research warns.

A study led by a senior scientist Dr Mohammad Kamruzzaman Milon of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, published in Climate Change and Soil-Water-Plant Nexus by Springer, highlights the impact of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and sea level rise on crop production. The study notes that by 2100, average nighttime temperatures could increase by nearly 4°C under high-emission scenarios—disrupting crop growth, particularly for rice, wheat, and maize.

The northwest region may also experience a decline in winter rainfall by an average of 1.3mm per year, intensifying irrigation challenges and further threatening food security.

Coastal agriculture is not spared either, as rising sea levels continue to reduce arable land and productivity. Dr Milon warns that without adaptation or technology-based interventions, overall crop yields may fall by 25–30%.

Speaking at the recent COP-29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus echoed similar concerns. “Climate change is worsening rapidly. Our civilization stands at risk as we continue to destroy our core values,” he said during a keynote speech.

The findings emphasize an urgent need for climate-resilient agricultural innovations and national policy actions to secure Bangladesh's food future in the face of escalating environmental challenges.