Crop selection and genetic engineering are two different strategies dedicated to increasing crop yields. Crop selection involves choosing the right crop for the soil conditions and climate in a certain area. By doing this, farmers can “optimize the requirement of irrigation water and added fertilizers”.[4] In the genetic engineering of crops, whose products are known as genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), specific, favorable traits are chosen in order to improve crop yield.[3]
Genetically-modified crops, however, are not seen favorably by all Bangladeshi citizens.[7] Even though higher yields can be achieved, Bangladeshi farmers may not be willing to switch to a crop that is opposed by the public. In addition, GMOs have a high yield because they are more resistant to strong pesticides that can kill off pests and other plants. However, as these pests and other crops become more resilient to the pesticides, stronger pesticides will be used in order to ensure that competing plants are killed off and the GMO crops continue to produce high yields.[1] Bangladesh will fare better without the use of stronger pesticides, especially since clean, uncontaminated freshwater sources are already threatened by arsenic pollution and saltwater inundation.
Figure 1: Pros and cons of genetic engineering, Source: S. Townson[9]
However, that is not the only downfall with GMOs. Due to climate change, Bangladesh is facing salinized soil due to saltwater inundation. In addition, Bangladesh is also vulnerable to heatwaves and extreme weather. While research is being conducted on how to make crops more resilient to heat, drought, and salinized soils, a GMO crop that can produce high yields while under these multiple stress factors has not yet been successfully engineered.[5] Instead, Bangladeshi farmers must turn to either crop selection, or another method, such as fishing, in order to provide for their families.
Much of Bangladesh’s coast is bordered by the Sundarbans, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world. Since mangroves grow in a combination of salt and freshwater, many crops cannot grow around these conditions. However, indigenous, salt-tolerant rice paddies can survive these conditions.[2] When Cyclone Aila hit Bangladesh in 2009, rice crops across the coast were hit with heavy winds, flooding, and saltwater. These crops quickly died from a combination of flooding and salinity. However, after this disaster, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) provided farmers with saline- and submergence-tolerant rice seeds. These seeds were special in that they could survive between 12 and 14 days when submerged in salty water. These seeds were able to produce up to 50% more rice than the type used before Cyclone Aila hit, along with using less fertilizer and pesticides.[6]
Figure 2: Saline-tolerant rice seeds, Source: IRRI.org [8]
In order to introduce new crops to farmers, the distribution of more resilient crop seeds needs to be promoted by the Bangladeshi government. The government will need to spread information about the benefits of the new crop strain. Farmers may not be willing to initially switch over to a new type of crop, especially without proof of the crop’s increased yield. These new crops strains would need to be introduced incrementally, as seen fit by the Bangladeshi government, as this could take multiple growing seasons to implement. As farmers unconvinced of the new crops’ ability to perform observe the increased yield of their neighbor, they will then be convinced to transition over to the improved crop the next growing season. If the government wants to see a faster transition to the new crop, a monetary incentive or subsidy would encourage farmers to make the switch. Funding and additional support could also come from NGOs and other third-parties invested in the success of Bangladesh’s agriculture, such as USAID and the United Nations (UN). The end result would be higher crop yields, a more secure future for farmers across Bangladesh’s coast, an economic boost, and a crop ready to thrive despite the impacts of climate change.
By Kayleigh Dugas
References
- Hoffman, B. (2013, July 2). GMO Crops Mean More Herbicide, Not Less. Retrieved November 27, 2017, from https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fbethhoffman%2F2013%2F07%2F02%2Fgmo-crops-mean-more-herbicide-not-less%2F&refURL=&referrer=
- WWF India. (n.d.). About Sundarbans. Retrieved November 27, 2017, from https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/sundarbans3/about_sundarbans/
- Pocket K No. 17: Genetic Engineering and GM Crops. (2016, August). Retrieved October 27, 2017, from http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/pocketk/17/default.asp
- Spuhler, D. (n.d.). Crop Selection. Retrieved October 27, 2017, from https://www.sswm.info/category/implementation-tools/water-sources/hardware/conservation-soil-moisture/crop-selection
- Paul, N. (2015, June 4). How modern crops can ensure food security in a heatwave. Retrieved November 27, 2017, from http://theconversation.com/how-modern-crops-can-ensure-food-security-in-a-heatwave-42789
- Rashid, M., & Beckman, T. (2014, March & april). Weathering the Storm: Rice Lifts Bangladesh Village from Saltwater Deluge | FrontLines March/April 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2017, from https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/frontlines/extreme-poverty/weathering-storm-rice-lifts-bangladesh-village-saltwater
- Vinje, E. (n.d.). GMO Eggplant Forced On Developing Countries. Retrieved November 27, 2017, from https://www.planetnatural.com/gmo-eggplant/
- Stress and Disease Tolerance. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2017, from http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/ricebreedingcourse/Breeding_for_salt_tolerance.htm
- Townson, S. (n.d.). GMO vs Selective breeding. Retrieved November 27, 2017, from http://slideplayer.com/slide/9427194/