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Drought in Bangladesh Agriculture and Irrigation Schedules for Major Crops

Z. Karim
Member Director(Soils)
Bangladesh Agricultural Research CouncilFarmgate, Dhaka-1215

A. M. Ibrahim
Soil Specialist
Bangladesh Agricultural Research CouncilFarmgate, Dhaka-1215

Anwar Iqbal
PSO (Soils)
Bangladesh Agricultural Research CouncilFarmgate, Dhaka-1215

M. Ahmed
Director, Computer
Bangladesh Agricultural Research CouncilFarmgate, Dhaka-1215

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Drought is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh. Drought effect is severe and enormously impacts the crop production scenario of the country's agriculture. Uncertainty of rainfall during pre-kharif, prevalence of dry days and lack of soil moisture during rabi season hampers the yield of crops . Depending on the intensity of drought, the yield reduction of crops varies from 10-70%. A doable method to assess drought and estimate the yield loss is thus very much important for the policy makers, agricultural development practitioners and large users at the micro level. Realizing the importance and severity of the adverse impact of drought in agriculture, a study was undertaken to categorize and delineate drought prone areas by Kharif and Rabi & Pre-kharif season, determine yield loss and recommend irrigation requirement for major crops, namely T.Aman, Wheat, Potato, Mustard and B. Aus. Attempt was also made to relate the yield reduction of crops with the critical stages of crop growth, frequency and amount of irrigation water needs. Maps were produced for use by millions of the farmers.Water requirement of the stated crops estimated and irrigation schedules worked out which includes supplemental irrigation for T.aman as well. In all areas a drought severity of 1 in 5 years does affect. T. Aman yield as this crop has maximum stress during panicle initiation (PI) to maturity stage. The maximum values were found in the district of Rajshahi, Jessore and Bogra. These areas have high achievable yield potential due to favourable temperature and sunshine during the growing period of T. Aman but higher intensity of drought reduces the achievable yield potential to a great extent. Yield losses exceed 50% of the achievable yield. In general. yield losses were mostly in between 45-60 % in the very severe drought areas. In the severe areas, yield losses varied from 35-45% depending on rainfall, soil types and planting time of the crop. In moderate drought prone areas in the district of Dinajpur. Rangpur , Bogra, Kushtia and Jessore, yield losses ranged from 20-35%. The minimum yield reduction (8%) occurred in the wettest district (Sylhet) of the country. Rabi crop in general suffers from moisture stress. Soil moisture stress during pre-kharif transition delays sowing of Aus and Jute. Aus and Sugarcane suffer from drought at their early stages of growth while non-irrigated crop suffers drought during the later part of the dry season. Yield reduction under very severe class ranges on average between 50-70%. In severe classed area, number of dry days is more than former class but because of favourable soil moisture situation yield reduction varies from 30-70% depending on crop and time of planting. Moderate drought prone class also includes high and low hills; where yield reduction varies from 20-60%. The area under less moderate class though have on average few days of >40°c temperature but because of low moisture holding capacity of the soils of hills and charlands suffers from water stress affecting yield to the tune of 10-50%. Northern and eastern part of Bangladesh is under slight drought prone class. Crops grown during rabi performs well, but due to adverse agroclimatic behaviour yield loss varied from less than 10-40% in extreme cases.

Keywords: Drought, Drought classification, Drought mapping, Irrigation scheduling, Yield Reduction

Location: Agroecological and related data for the whole of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-1980

End Date: 00-00-1990

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Irrigation scheduling

Objectives:

To categorize drought situation and delineate drought prone areas by crop season
To estimate yield reduction of different crops due to drought
To establish a computerized model for assessing yield reduction , and
To recommend irrigation schedule for major crops

Methodology:

A study was performed to categorize drought prone areas by Kharif and Rabi & Pre-kharif season. In doing so, the agroecological data base maintained at BARC and the land resources inventory maps of 1: 250,000 scale were used. For the purpose of developing the computerized model for drought yield loss estimation, AEZ data, crops and soil related factors e.g days in growth stages, rainfall probability, water layer at the root zones, PET (Potential evaporation), crop co-efficient at different growth stages etc. were taken into account. Considering the above, drought classification were done and maps were produced. The computerized model output for drought yield loss estimation was tested using actual soil, climate and crop data for validation in different agroecological zones of the country. For practicability and to facilitate application, drought areas were further sub-divided into several classes depending on the intensity.The yield reduction of crop was done for T. Aman and Rabi crops, such as wheat, potato,mustard and B.Aus also. Water requirement of the crop was estimated using the AEZ's agroclimatic data base for 10 years period applying Modified Penman equation and irrigation schedules were determined.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Soils Publication No.: 34, 1990

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Based on the available information and by using above methodology drought in Bangladesh have been categorized by Kharif and Rabi & Pre-Kharif drought Depending on the intensity of the drought, Kharif drought sub divided as, very severe,severe,moderate and slight. While the Rabi and Pre-Kharif drought have been sub divided as very Severe,severe, moderate, less moderate and Very slight to nil class. Computerised model for drought yield loss estimation developed and tested using actual soil, climate and crop data as a matter of validation.Maps produced in this regard along with the information generated are being widely used at the field level.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings