Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T2a-04O-1415
Climate Change Adaptation Models for the Major Farming System
Typologies in Sundarbans
P. K. Garain 1 , C. K. Mondal 1 , F. H. Rahman 2 and A. Saha 1
1
Ramkrishna Ashram KVK, Nimpith, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal – 743338, India;
2 ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Bhumi Vihar Complex, Block- GB,
Sector- III, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700097, West Bengal, India.
An increased impact of climate change on the carbon balance, water cycle, biodiversity,
agricultural productivity and food security is predominant problem globally (Jain et al.,
2013). The effect of climate change is being felt worldwide but the low lying coastal agroecosystems
are more vulnerable and likely to experience increasing frequency of storm surge
events, floods, coastal erosion and disastrous cyclones, in the coming decades. The Indian
Sundarbans is highly vulnerable to such climatic adversities. There is a gradual decrease in
total rainfall and rainy days and an increase in intensive rain spells (>60 mm per day) as well
as increase in dry spells during monsoon period. Heavy rainfall during Kharif (rainy season
crop) season and delayed monsoon are also common phenomena in this area (Nandargi and
Barman, 2018). Intensive rainfall within short period of time leads to prolonged submergence
of the ill drained and low-lying crop fields. Long duration and low yielding traditional rice
varieties are the only option. The densely populated low-lying areas create an additional high
risk and vulnerability from the impact of such tropical cyclones. There is a steep rise in the
frequency of severe cyclonic storms during the last century over the Bay of Bengal
(Chakraborty, 2015). During the last three decades the northern part of Bay of Bengal has
witnessed seven severe cyclones - Sidr, Nargis, Bijli, Aila, Fani, Bulbul and Amphan. All
these climatic vagaries add anguish to the coastal livelihood of the 4.5 million people residing
in the area, who primarily depend on forest resources and agriculture for their sustenance.
Hence, migration to the nearby towns, in search of alternate livelihood, is very common.
Methodology
A study was conducted to assess climatic vulnerabilities, under “National Innovations on
Climate Resilient Agriculture” (NICRA) by Ramkrishna Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra
(RAKVK), in collaboration with Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-
CRIDA), Hyderabad and Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ICAR-
ATARI) Kolkata from 2011 to 2021, in the cyclone prone villages of Sundarbans (NICRA
News, 2011).
The study was conducted in Bongheri village under the Kultali block of the South 24
Parganas district in West Bengal (Latitude: 22 o 2’3” N to 22 o 3’11” N; Longitude: 88 o 37’5” E
to 88 o 38’11” E). to assess different set of technological packages on the five existing farming
Climate resilient agriculture for risk mitigation
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