Enhancing Argo-Water Productivity and Mitigating Salinity Intrusion Scoping Study, South West Region

The scoping study for enhancing the agro-water productivity establishes the sustainable and potential opportunities in the South-west of Bangladesh. The overall goal of the study was to promote climate adaptive technology through advocacy and communication. To accomplish this goal, the study was designed to find out the current climatic hazard scenarios, its impact on agriculture and food security and the existing adaptation practices to withstand the impact.

One of the major issues of south-west coastal region of Bangladesh is loss of agricultural production and scarcity of fresh water due to flood, cyclones, waterlogging and salinity intrusion which negatively impacts the livelihood, food security, and health of the people living in those areas. There is a growing need for adaptation of new technologies that would enable the local communities to encounter possible adverse impacts. In this context, a scoping study undertaken by Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University on 2018 funded by Water Resources Group, International Finance Corporation and World Bank Group on “Enhancing Agro-Water Productivity and Mitigating Salinity Intrusion Scoping Study, South West Region” to enhance agro-water productivity and mitigating salinity intrusion (“SWAPMSI”) along with improved livelihood options for farmers.

The objective of this study was based on the existing interventions of the study area on which advocacy needs to be carried out towards sustainable development of the most vulnerable communities.

Clients: 2030 Water Resource Group (WRG), International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group (WBG).

Year: 2018 - 2019

Location: Bangladesh

Activities Performed under the Project:

• Identification of existing development initiatives and evaluation of their effective sustainability through field visit & data collection, SWOT analysis, effectiveness and sustainability analysis, and identification of the possible effective technology was done by an expert team.

• Developing a list of intervention packages involving and communication with suitable collaborating partners (Donor organizations, international agencies, private companies, and others) for project development.

• Local level consultations with the local communities and selected key professionals to get recommendations on the potential interventions are based on discussion.