Resilient Roots: Leveraging indigenous practices for salinity adaptation in Southern Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. The country is prone to climate-related extreme events like floods, droughts, salinity, etc. The livelihood of the country is mostly agrarian. The interaction with the ecosystem for livelihood and the presence of local disasters have given the community vast experience in coping with environmental factors, specifically climate change. From there, the community owned a rich Indigenous Knowledge. Indigenous Knowledge in Bangladesh comes in the form of expertise, which is in the form of verse, and practices, which are mostly tools and technologies. The study was conducted to identify and compile effective scaling-up potential Indigenous agricultural practices, local crop varieties, and tools to promote climate-smart agriculture in salinity-affected Shyamnagar, Khulna; Hatiya, Noakhali, Banaripara, Barishal of Bangladesh.

To meet the study objectives, the study has adopted multidisciplinary primary data collection tools including farmer survey, focus group discussion, and case story documentation in Shyamnagar, Banaripara, and Hatia. Primary information was collected through 300 farmer surveys (100 in each location), 12 Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and 32 case stories. It has reviewed the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), the 8th Five-Year Plan of Bangladesh, The State of Indigenous Knowledge in Bangladesh, ADB Indigenous Knowledge Development in Bangladesh: Present and Future, Promotion and Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Traditional Environmental Knowledge of Bangladesh, Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework, UNESCO Indigenous Knowledge and Implications in Bangladesh, IFAD-The Traditional Knowledge Advantage reviews, etc. were studied. Book published by the Bangla Academy on folk literature and published and unpublished research papers by the Department of Anthropology and Department of Environmental Science from some universities. Soil salinity of different sources from the treatment area (homestead and agricultural land) was collected through cross-section and analyzed in the CPE Soil Water and Environment Lab.

A short documentary on the project 'Resilient Roots'

Salinity in surface, ground, and soil in the coastal zone has become a very crucial matter on the southern coast of Bangladesh. In 2009, the salinity-affected total land area was 2502856 Ha, which was 1205931 Ha in 1973. Within these 36 years, the total salinity affected land increased by 1296924 Ha. Not only so but also in 2024 some of the locations were identified as high salinity affected that low or moderately salinity affected. Crop production loss is a common scenario along Bangladesh's coastal belt because of salinity and increasing pests and diseases. The study finds that the average homestead crop production losses are caused by salinity during the Rabi season, the average loss is 19.2 kg per household, while in Kharif I, it decreases to 8.34 kg. However, during Kharif II, losses increased significantly to 30.65 kg per household from homestead farming. The average field crop production losses caused by salinity across different seasons from crop fields were found to average 2.71 MT/Ha in the Rabi season, reducing to 1.70 MT/Ha in Kharif I. During Kharif II, losses rose again, reaching 3.32 MT/Ha. Three vegetable varieties were identified those are potential for scaling up in the salinity affected areas. These are Gima (Glinus oppositifolius) which is resistant to high salinity (6.38-7.5 ds/m); Kolui (Pisum sativum) are resistant to 7-9 ds/m salinity and Torul (Luffa Aegyptiaca) resisant to 2.2-3 ds/m salinity.

Traditionally farmers have adopted different farming technologies to adapt to climate-induced extremes like salinity, tidal inundation, waterlogging, and flooding along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. In the study area, the identified Indigenous farming technologies are GHOR KRISHI which is an innovative agricultural practice aimed at transforming waterlogged lands in coastal areas into profitable ventures. The GHOR KRISHI method is specifically tailored for medium-high to medium-low lands with a late draining phase. DHAP KRISHI which is a traditional indigenous farming technology marked a transformative approach to addressing the challenges imposed by climate change in Bangladesh, particularly suited for the wetland, submerged, salinity affected and flooded regions. DYKE/Ail Farming is a climate adaptation technique that is commonly used in salinity-affected, flood, and waterlogged areas. MACHA KRISHI is practicing in waterlogged, and salinity-affected areas, securing water for agricultural purposes remains a constant struggle.

Traditionally farmers have adopted different water and irrigation management technologies to adapt to climate-induced extremes like salinity, tidal inundation, waterlogging, and flooding along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. In the study area, the identified Indigenous farming technologies. Among those Kol is an effective water management technology to prevent salt water from seeping into the crops' area. In coastal areas, Kongkona is a very effective technology in tackling water crises in the salinity-affected areas. Jolpotti is also an earthen-holed irrigation system for irrigation in vegetable fields. In the promotion of the kitchen garden, has a high potential to adapt to climate extremes, especially drought and salinity. Kuni is a water body created in the middle of or at the corner of a paddy field for climate adaptation agriculture, and is an adaptive practice in saline-affected areas. Kaite Bera is a barrier placed on farmed land in salinized regions to keep farms away from harvest. In the salinity-affected areas, whenever a storm surge hits the agricultural land, it destroys the cropland. Kaite Bera protects salt-mixed storm surges and reduces loss and damage. During summer, it also protects crops from the attack of livestock, especially goat and cattle.

Traditionally farmers have adopted different seed and food preservation techniques to adapt to climate-induced extremes like salinity, tidal inundation, waterlogging, and flooding along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. Those are Gobre Beej (the use of cow dung is often a natural method to protect seeds from pests), Barna (bamboo baskets for storing various food items), Kulhar (Earthenware traditional method of food storage), Kuthi Gola (an earthen pot where paddy and rice are stored to prevent damage during monsoon seasons), etc.

However, a more effective climate adaptive Indigenous Knowledge and practices should be identified by imperial research. Modern adaptation technologies must be blended with Indigenous technologies. However, there are many policies associated with or taking care of climate change. However, policies for Indigenous Knowledge conservation and protection are missing in Bangladesh. Necessary policy and institutional support are urgent.