Climate change threat to winter crops

Adverse impacts of climate change have triggered recurrence of natural calamities, posing a serious threat to the farming of winter crops, including vegetables, and the living conditions of farmers in Rajshahi, said farmers at a discussion recently.

Duration of winter along with its intensity has changed remarkably in the last couple of years which is detrimental to winter crops' farming.

Time-befitting measures need to be adopted urgently to boost agricultural productions for ensuring food security amid adverse impacts of climatic changes.

The observations came at a meeting styled "Variation in Winter Temperature, Cropping Problems and Our Responsibility" at BADC conference hall at Bargachhi in Paba upazila on Monday.

Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) and Farmers organisations Coordination Committee jointly organised the meeting.

National Agriculture Award Winner Farmer Abdur Rahim narrated the sufferings caused by the impact of climate change.

BARCIK Coordinator (Barind Region) Shahidul Islam, and farmers Munira Begum and Jewel Mian also spoke.

Abdur Rahim mentioned that the ongoing climate change at alarming rates has severely affected winter vegetable farming and its diversity creating a real threat to food production. The developed countries should fulfill their commitment towards climate funding and ensure transparency in use of this fund.

He says legitimate rights of the farmers and others concerned should be protected for encouraging them towards boosting agricultural productions to meet up its gradually mounting demands.

Shahidul Islam read out the concept paper on the issue pointing out that the existing agricultural system has started facing a serious threat because of climate change.