Innovative climate-smart mapping tool launched to aid farmers in coastal Bangladesh adapt to climate challenges

Dhaka, Bangladesh, 24 November 2024 - The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), in collaboration, launched Climate-Smart Mapping and Adaptation Planning (CS-MAP) on November 24, 2024, at the BARC Auditorium in Farmgate, Dhaka. As part of the CGIAR Initiative on Asian Mega-Deltas, CS-MAP aims to enhance food security and climate resilience by empowering stakeholders with actionable insights and location-specific solutions.

CS-MAP is an innovative tool that integrates scientific research and local expertise to map climate risks and offer tailored adaptation strategies for sustainable farming. By addressing the growing challenges of climate change in Bangladesh's coastal regions, CS-MAP aims to support sustainable agriculture.

As one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, Bangladesh faces significant challenges from climate change, including floods, droughts, salinity intrusion, sea-level rise, extreme temperatures, erratic rainfall, and cyclones. These climate-induced hazards threaten agricultural production, food security, and rural livelihoods. To address these challenges, field-level government officials must implement timely and effective agricultural preparations and response strategies. CS-MAP can provide the necessary tools and information to support informed decision-making.

CS-MAP is a participatory mapping approach that has been implemented in 10 districts of Bangladesh's coastal region. In collaboration with scientists and experts from BWDB, BRRI, BARI, DAE, and BADC, climate change-related risks to agriculture were identified, assessed, and mapped into an atlas for each district. During the launch event, these atlases were formally handed over to 10 Deputy Directors of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

The event featured informative presentations on the CS-MAP approach, its potential applications, and a video demonstration. Approximately 75 key government officials, researchers, and stakeholders attended the launch, gaining valuable insights into the innovative tools and strategies developed under the CS-MAP initiative.

The launching event was graced by Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, as the Chief Guest. He emphasized the importance of integrating research innovations into national agricultural policy planning. Md. Saiful Alam, Director General of DAE, acknowledged CS-MAP's role in guiding realistic and accurate policy and field-level interventions.

Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of BARC, stressed the need for collaboration and coordination among various government and non-government institutions working on climate adaptation to optimize resource use. Md. Zakir Hossain, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, noted that climate change is erratic and unpredictable, necessitating continuous studies to understand its patterns. He advocated for a holistic approach to adaptation plans.

The event concluded with a speech from Dr. Humnath Bhandari, IRRI Representative to Bangladesh, who thanked all stakeholders and reaffirmed IRRI's commitment to supporting climate-resilient agriculture in the country.