Climate Change Devastates Chuadanga's Agriculture, Families Suffer

Climate change has dealt a crippling blow to Chuadanga's agriculture, with prolonged droughts, devastating storms, and extreme cold spells battering farms, livestock, and fisheries, leaving thousands of families struggling to survive.

The western district of Chuadanga has been reeling from the escalating impacts of climate change, with farmers suffering losses worth 'hundreds of crores of taka' over the past five years. Prolonged droughts, devastating storms and extreme cold spells have battered agriculture, livestock and fisheries, leaving thousands of families struggling to survive. 'Extreme heat is not just a seasonal inconvenience. Its impact is far reaching. As we see in Bangladesh that the rising temperature is affecting our health and productivity, and the country's prosperity,' said Jean Pesme, The World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Key Takeaways:

• Farmers in Chuadanga have suffered losses worth 'hundreds of crores of taka' over the past five years due to prolonged droughts, devastating storms and extreme cold spells.
• Between April and June each year, temperatures now frequently soar between 36AdegC and 40AdegC, scorching farmlands and reducing yields, while winters have become unusually harsh, with temperatures plunging to record lows.
• The agricultural sector has been particularly hard-hit by repeated bouts of drought, storms and irregular rainfall, with major crops such as Boro paddy, wheat, maize, winter vegetables, tobacco, onions, bananas, papaya, betel leaves and fruit orchards suffering extensive damage.
• Field surveys conducted by non-governmental organisations indicate that the scale of devastation may be far greater than official figures suggest, with climate change causing annual agricultural losses amounting to between Tk 200 crore and Tk 300 crore in the district.
• Official data show that Chuadanga's annual agricultural losses were: 2020: Tk 1.16 crore, 2021: Tk 2.36 crore, 2022: Tk 4.22 crore, 2023: Tk 42.70 lakh, 2024: Tk 23.50 lakh.
• The government has provided incentives to affected farmers, including seeds and fertilisers for various crops, with the amount ranging from Tk 2.55 crore in 2020 to Tk 9.76 crore in 2024.
• Despite these efforts, many farmers remain frustrated, complaining of delays in receiving aid, exclusion from beneficiary lists, and inadequate support.
• Local fish farmer Hasan voiced similar concerns, stating that fisheries largely get nothing while agriculture receives some incentives.
• Data from the Chuadanga Meteorological Office and Agriculture Department show that average maximum temperatures rose from 31.4AdegC in 2020 to 32.6AdegC in 2023, while annual rainfall dropped from 1,729 mm to just 1,087 mm - the lowest in five years.
• In 2024, temperatures peaked at an unprecedented 43.8AdegC, while winter lows fell below 6AdegC, causing extensive damage to crops and fisheries.
• Meteorological Office official Tahmina Nasrin observed, 'Rainfall has decreased and drought intensity has increased over the last few years. The combination of rising heat and declining water availability is creating severe challenges for local farmers.'
• Chuadanga Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahirul Islam said the government remains committed to supporting residents affected by climate change, but warned that without stronger adaptation measures, the district's agriculture, fisheries, livestock and public health may face long-term threats.

Statistics:

• The total agricultural losses in Chuadanga district over the past five years amount to 'hundreds of crores of taka'.
• Annual agricultural losses in the district range from Tk 200 crore to Tk 300 crore.
• Official data show that Chuadanga's annual agricultural losses were: 2020: Tk 1.16 crore, 2021: Tk 2.36 crore, 2022: Tk 4.22 crore, 2023: Tk 42.70 lakh, 2024: Tk 23.50 lakh.
• The government provided incentives to affected farmers as follows: 2020: Tk 2.55 crore, 2021: Tk 7.01 crore, 2022: Tk 5.30 crore, 2023: Tk 6.42 crore, 2024: Tk 9.76 crore.
• The average maximum temperature in Chuadanga rose from 31.4AdegC in 2020 to 32.6AdegC in 2023.
• The annual rainfall in Chuadanga dropped from 1,729 mm in 2020 to 1,087 mm in 2023 - the lowest in five years.
• In 2024, temperatures peaked at an unprecedented 43.8AdegC, while winter lows fell below 6AdegC.

Sources:

• Jean Pesme, The World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan
• Chuadanga Meteorological Office and Agriculture Department
• Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE)
• Wave Foundation
• Riso