Rising sea levels, storm surges and freshwater shortages are increasing soil salinity across the country’s coastal belt, threatening agricultural production and leaving farmland uncultivated.
Salt-tolerant rice, alternative crops and improved farming techniques, however, are offering farmers opportunities to restore abandoned land and diversify production.
Farmers in coastal districts are experimenting with rice, maize and other crops that can withstand saline conditions, while agricultural researchers are exploring ways to sustain cultivation and reduce fallow periods.
In Cox’s Bazar, salt-tolerant rice cultivation expanded to 5,891 hectares across three seasons in the 2025-26 fiscal year, an increase of 89 hectares from the previous year, as improved varieties encouraged farmers to bring more saline-affected land under cultivation.
In Shyamnagar, Satkhira, two farmers have successfully grown maize and rice on three acres of saline land that had remained uncultivated for nearly 20 years.
They used the dibbling method for maize and cultivated Binadhan-10 and BRRI dhan-99 rice, demonstrating the potential for farming in highly saline conditions.
Farmers in Pirol?, Kalia, Narail, have also restored rice cultivation on 125 acres after preventing saline river water from entering their fields. Successful Aus and Aman harvests have helped rebuild confidence in agriculture.
In Boyarbhanga, Khulna, modern rice varieties, improved cultivation methods and mechanisation have reportedly increased yields two to three times while reducing production costs, cultivation time and labour requirements.
Alternative crops are also offering scope for diversifying production when saline conditions make rice cultivation difficult.
Trials conducted in Satkhira and Noakhali under a joint Food and Agriculture Organisation and International Atomic Energy Agency programme identified short-duration, salt-tolerant or salinity-avoiding varieties of mung bean, mustard, sesame, chickpea, groundnut and wheat for cultivation after the Aman harvest.
The success of such crops depends on local soil conditions, freshwater availability and appropriate crop selection.
Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, an environmental expert, researcher and academic, and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Head of the Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh, told The New Nation that climate change was intensifying soil salinity in coastal regions.
He attributed the problem to rising sea levels, cyclones and storm surges, including those associated with Amphan, Remal and Aila, reduced freshwater flows during the dry season and irregular rainfall.
“Falling groundwater levels and growing freshwater shortages were further worsening the situation,” he said.
He said rising salinity was reducing agricultural production and access to safe drinking water, while disrupting everyday life.
As its effects could persist for a long time, restoring affected areas to their normal condition was difficult, with adverse consequences for livelihoods and the local economy.
Professor Majumder also highlighted health risks, particularly for women, saying salinity could adversely affect their physical well-being and reproductive health.
Although shrimp farming in saline water might offer some farmers short-term financial benefits, he said its long-term consequences required careful consideration.
He added that he did not have reliable research data to draw a definitive conclusion about the effects of salinity on rice and maize cultivation.
He called for stronger coastal embankments, improved drainage, wider cultivation of salt-tolerant crops, mangrove conservation and regular monitoring of soil and water salinity.
Dr Mahbuba Kaniz Hasna, Director (Research) in charge at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), told The New Nation that research into salt-tolerant crop varieties was showing encouraging prospects for coastal agriculture.
BINA-10 rice was among the varieties being studied for its ability to grow under saline conditions, she said, adding that yields depended on soil salinity, growing conditions and farming practices.
She also identified potential for mustard cultivation in coastal districts such as Satkhira, Barguna and Cox’s Bazar, but said the performance of specific varieties needed to be established through field-level trials.
Regarding the dibbling method, Dr Hasna said BINA had not yet conducted research on the technique.
The institute was continuing its agricultural studies and providing regular training to farmers to help them adapt to changing conditions.
She said researchers were also exploring the potential of sesame cultivation in saline-affected soils, adding that effective and sustainable solutions would take time to establish.
Expanding climate-resilient farming will require effective water management, suitable crop varieties and practical support for farmers.
Salt-tolerant crops and alternative cultivation methods offer opportunities to recover affected land and sustain production, although their wider benefits will depend on local conditions and the results of field trials.