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

A groundbreaking initiative, Climate-Smart Mapping and Adaptation Planning (CS-MAP), was launched at the BARC Auditorium in Dhaka to support farmers in coastal Bangladesh in addressing climate challenges. Developed under the CGIAR research initiative on Asian Mega Deltas, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) introduced CS-MAP to enhance food security and climate resilience through actionable insights and location-specific strategies.

Bangladesh, ranked as the seventh most risk-prone country for extreme climatic disasters, faces significant challenges such as floods, droughts, salinity intrusion, rising sea levels, and cyclones. These risks threaten agricultural sustainability and food security in the country's coastal regions. The CS-MAP tool offers participatory mapping of climate risks and tailored adaptation plans to support government officials and stakeholders in making informed agricultural decisions.

The project has already been implemented in 10 coastal districts, with contributions from leading scientific and governmental institutions, including BWDB, BRRI, BARI, DAE, and BADC. The risks identified were mapped into district-specific atlases, formally handed over to the Deputy Directors of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) during the launch event.

The ceremony featured presentations on CS-MAP's methodology, applications, and a video demonstration. Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, served as the Chief Guest and emphasized the importance of integrating research-driven innovations into national agricultural policy.

Md. Saiful Alam, Director General of DAE, lauded CS-MAP's potential to inform accurate and actionable policy and field-level interventions. Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of BARC, highlighted the need for collaboration among institutions working on climate adaptation to optimize resources effectively.

Md. Zakir Hossain, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, underscored the erratic nature of climate change and stressed the importance of continuous research to guide holistic adaptation strategies.

The event concluded with remarks from the Chairperson, Dr. Humnath Bhandari, IRRI's Representative to Bangladesh, who reaffirmed IRRI's commitment to supporting climate-resilient agriculture in Bangladesh. The launch was attended by approximately 75 key officials, researchers, and stakeholders, marking a significant step towards sustainable farming practices in climate-vulnerable areas.