Overexploitation of nature for farming worries experts
They are against irrigation-dependent cultivation
Reported by: Md. Owasim Uddin Bhuyan, UNB Staff Writer
Reported on: November 18, 2011 15:14 PM
Reported in: National
Reported on: November 18, 2011 15:14 PM
Reported in: National
Dhaka, Nov 18 (UNB) - Irrigation- dependent cultivation needs to be minimised in the country through encouraging the farming of traditional eco-agricultural crops that can help protect the nature from overexploitation, experts said.
They said the nature is being overexploited for producing some specific varieties of paddy which need huge groundwater.
“At least 2,000 litre of water is needed to produce just one kilogram of rice (paddy) whose price is nowhere near the price of the water,” Dr Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Professor of IUBAT (International University of Business Agriculture and Technology), told UNB.
He said such overexploitation of natural resources is not acceptable. “Withdrawal of groundwater for such irrigation is causing serious water crisis in rural areas and the water level is going down fast.”
He referred to a recent newspaper report titled ‘Excess groundwater use threat to agriculture' where BUET Professor Umme Kulsum Navera said many countries, including Australia, have stopped groundwater use for irrigation to maintain the ecological balance.
She added: “We should reduce dependence on groundwater for both drinking and irrigation to protect our ecology and agriculture sector from any kind of destruction.”
Dr Rahman, who had been campaigning against groundwater use for irrigation over the last couple of years, mentioned that irrigation (deep tube-well) destroys crop diversity, especially the low water demanding crops like many varieties of rice, millets, cereals, peas, grams and pulses.
“It’s important to choose the right crop for right habitat,” he said adding that there are so many varieties which are suitable for different climatic conditions, soils and topography. Many varieties of rice (Aus) and millets grow well in dry weather condition but some are water demanding and prefer wet condition.
“Some crops are shade loving, some are partial but some requires long sunshine hours,” he said, adding that farmers need to know which crops grow in what condition and also about their (crops) interrelationship among themselves and with other species.
“We, therefore, should know the practices and the ideal conditions for growing crops, and we must bring more varieties under cropping culture to save the biodiversity and maximise the use of land and productivity,” he added.
Discouraging the construction of dams at up-streams for withdrawal of water, Dr Rahman said it changes the habitats of both at up- and down-streams disturbing the natural water flow.
Besides, he said, it changes the natural cycle of dry and winter flora of soil, and ultimately affects the soil texture and structure. Decreased catchments reduce the water holding capacity and thus cause floods frequently during monsoon.
He discouraged expansion of agricultural land by replacing the forests, cutting hills and filling catchments as it decreases land area and affects biodiversity and catchments or water reservoirs.
About tree plantation, he said plantation of Rain trees, Mahogony and Acacias should be banned as they disturb the growth of other crops. As there is no sufficient pasture land, goat farming should be discouraged.
About changes in nature, Dr Rahman said these are influenced by many factors -- solar radiation, heat and temperature, volcanic eruption, earthquake, wind, ocean current, glaciers, abrasion, wear and tear, action of living bodies, including human beings.
“Changes may be very slow which cannot be understood by normal feelings but some sudden changes -- earthquake, volcanic eruption, cyclones and storms, nuclear and chemical war are so devastating that millions of lives are perished within a short time,” he said.
With the advancement of civilisation, Dr Ataur said, rapid urbanisation and industrial development have changed the global environment significantly. Science, technology and medicine have reduced the death percentages and the world population has also increased beyond the natural balance of other lives and resources.
Competitions for food and survival among the people forced towards quick development without considering long-term effect to the natural balances achieved through long-run adaptation, he said.
They said the nature is being overexploited for producing some specific varieties of paddy which need huge groundwater.
“At least 2,000 litre of water is needed to produce just one kilogram of rice (paddy) whose price is nowhere near the price of the water,” Dr Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Professor of IUBAT (International University of Business Agriculture and Technology), told UNB.
He said such overexploitation of natural resources is not acceptable. “Withdrawal of groundwater for such irrigation is causing serious water crisis in rural areas and the water level is going down fast.”
He referred to a recent newspaper report titled ‘Excess groundwater use threat to agriculture' where BUET Professor Umme Kulsum Navera said many countries, including Australia, have stopped groundwater use for irrigation to maintain the ecological balance.
She added: “We should reduce dependence on groundwater for both drinking and irrigation to protect our ecology and agriculture sector from any kind of destruction.”
Dr Rahman, who had been campaigning against groundwater use for irrigation over the last couple of years, mentioned that irrigation (deep tube-well) destroys crop diversity, especially the low water demanding crops like many varieties of rice, millets, cereals, peas, grams and pulses.
“It’s important to choose the right crop for right habitat,” he said adding that there are so many varieties which are suitable for different climatic conditions, soils and topography. Many varieties of rice (Aus) and millets grow well in dry weather condition but some are water demanding and prefer wet condition.
“Some crops are shade loving, some are partial but some requires long sunshine hours,” he said, adding that farmers need to know which crops grow in what condition and also about their (crops) interrelationship among themselves and with other species.
“We, therefore, should know the practices and the ideal conditions for growing crops, and we must bring more varieties under cropping culture to save the biodiversity and maximise the use of land and productivity,” he added.
Discouraging the construction of dams at up-streams for withdrawal of water, Dr Rahman said it changes the habitats of both at up- and down-streams disturbing the natural water flow.
Besides, he said, it changes the natural cycle of dry and winter flora of soil, and ultimately affects the soil texture and structure. Decreased catchments reduce the water holding capacity and thus cause floods frequently during monsoon.
He discouraged expansion of agricultural land by replacing the forests, cutting hills and filling catchments as it decreases land area and affects biodiversity and catchments or water reservoirs.
About tree plantation, he said plantation of Rain trees, Mahogony and Acacias should be banned as they disturb the growth of other crops. As there is no sufficient pasture land, goat farming should be discouraged.
About changes in nature, Dr Rahman said these are influenced by many factors -- solar radiation, heat and temperature, volcanic eruption, earthquake, wind, ocean current, glaciers, abrasion, wear and tear, action of living bodies, including human beings.
“Changes may be very slow which cannot be understood by normal feelings but some sudden changes -- earthquake, volcanic eruption, cyclones and storms, nuclear and chemical war are so devastating that millions of lives are perished within a short time,” he said.
With the advancement of civilisation, Dr Ataur said, rapid urbanisation and industrial development have changed the global environment significantly. Science, technology and medicine have reduced the death percentages and the world population has also increased beyond the natural balance of other lives and resources.
Competitions for food and survival among the people forced towards quick development without considering long-term effect to the natural balances achieved through long-run adaptation, he said.
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