Water for food in Bangladesh: outlook to 2030

This research study shows that ‘business-as-usual’ scenarios will have substantial production surpluses of rice, which dominates water use patterns in the country at present. However, the surpluses come at a considerable environmental cost, due to high levels of groundwater depletion. Bangladesh can...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Amarasinghe, Upali A., Sharma, Bharat R., Muthuwatta, Lal P., Khan, Z.H.
Formato: Informe técnico
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Water Management Institute 2014
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/65356
Descripción
Sumario:This research study shows that ‘business-as-usual’ scenarios will have substantial production surpluses of rice, which dominates water use patterns in the country at present. However, the surpluses come at a considerable environmental cost, due to high levels of groundwater depletion. Bangladesh can mitigate potential groundwater crises by limiting rice production to meet the requirements of self-sufficiency. Increases in water productivity of both Aman (wet season) and Boro (dry season) rice production can help too. A carefully designed deficit irrigation regime for Boro rice can also increase transpiration, yield, water productivity and production, and reduce the pressure on scarce groundwater resources.