Salinity and seasonal drought are dominant abiotic stresses limiting crop productivity in the coastal agro-ecosystems of Moheshkhali, Cox's Bazar. The low elevation of this island region, combined with tidal influence and restricted drainage within embanked polders, accelerates salt accumulation in the soil profile during the dry season. As soil moisture declines after the harvest of T. Aman rice, upward capillary movement of saline groundwater increases salt concentration in the root zone.
This process, coupled with evaporation-induced salt deposition in clay loam soils, significantly constrains dry season crop establishment and growth. Such salinity-moisture interactions are widely reported across the coastal belt of Bangladesh, where nearly 70% of cultivated land is affected by varying degrees of salinity during the rabi season.The practice of cultivable land fallow during the dry season reduces annual cropping intensity and limits farm income.
The present intervention demonstrates that residual soil moisture remaining after monsoon rice harvest can be effectively utilized for short-duration legume cultivation without irrigation or tillage. The dibbling method implementedby BARIwhich was minimize soil disturbance, thereby reducing further exposure of saline subsoil layers and limiting moisture loss. Conservation of residual moisture appears to be a key factor supporting crop establishment under these marginal conditions.
The introduction of BARI Felon-1, developed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, represents a significant genetic and agronomic adaptation to coastal stress environments. In the study area, women farmers play a particularly active role in felon cultivation, especially in sowing, intercultural operations, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. This gender-inclusive participation enhances household-level livelihood resilience and contributes to women's economic engagement in coastal farming systems. BARI Felon-1is widely recognized for its salinitytolerance, heat resilience, and relatively low water requirement compared to many rabi crops. Its deep rooting system facilitates efficient utilization of residual soil moisture, while its biological nitrogen fixation capacity improves soil fertility and supports the long-term sustainability of the production system.
The absence of irrigation facilities, combined with salinity and dry season moisture stress, prevented the cultivation of secondary crops. As a result, household earnings were largely dependent on a single monsoon crop, contributing to economic vulnerability among farming communities. To address this constraint, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute introduced a structured intervention program focused on dry season residual moisture utilization. Farmers received hands-on training on dibbling methods, moisture conservation techniques, and stress-tolerant crop management. Following the training, BARI further supported cultivation activities by supplying quality BARI Felon-1 seeds, fertilizers, and essential farming equipment.
This comprehensive support reduced initial production risks and encouraged farmer participation.Women farmers, in particular, demonstrated strong engagement in the adoption of this technology. Due to the low labor requirement, absence of irrigation, and minimal land preparation, women were able to participate actively in sowing, intercultural operations, and harvesting. The accessibility and simplicity of the production system enhanced technology adoption at the household level. Consequently, land that previously remained fallow during the dry season is now being productively utilized, contributing to improved household income, enhanced food security, and greater livelihood resilience in the coastal community.
The large-scale demonstration, covering approximately 1,200 bighaland and involving 700 farmers, indicates strong farmer acceptance and practical feasibility of the technologyin Moheshkhali, Coxsbazar. Comparable moisture-conserving legume-based systems have demonstrated adaptive potential in other coastal environments where water scarcity and salinity operate as simultaneous constraints.Furthermore, expansion of this intervention across the broader coastal zone of Bangladesh could substantially reduce seasonal fallow areas and contribute to improved national food security and livelihood diversification.
Overall, the integration of stress-tolerant BARI Felon-1legumes with residual moisture management offers a viable and scalable adaptation pathway for coastal agriculture in Moheshkhali, Coxsbazar and similar saline-prone ecosystems. This approach enhances land productivity, supports women's participation in agriculture, improves soil health, and strengthens agro-ecological resilience under changing climatic conditions.
The writer is a Senior Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
