Shift in cropping systems following riverbank erosion:

from paddy to short-duration crops in Bangladesh?

Abstract

Bangladesh, a riverine country with vast floodplains is highly vulnerable to riverbank erosion threatening agriculture and livelihoods. This study investigates shifts in cropping practices in response to riverbank dynamics in Alokdia Mouza, a char land along the Jamuna River. Therefore, Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and multiple statistical analyses were applied to examine riverbank shifting along with cropping patterns through Landsat satellite imagery from 2015 to 2025 at five-year intervals. Besides that, the study conducted a household questionnaire survey with 68 respondents (90% confidence level, 10% margin of error) and seven FGDs involving local farmers and community representatives using random sampling techniques, which supported the development of the crop calendar. The results revealed highly dynamic riverbank changes between 2015 and 2025 with maximum erosion rates recorded were –38.88 m/year (WLR), –5174.52 m (NBM), –956.04 m/year (EPR), and –451.87 m/year (LRR), while the maximum accretion rates were 73.44 m/year (WLR), 649.26 m (NBM), 71.61 m/year (EPR), and 73.44 m/year (LRR) respectively. Statistical analysis including Pearson Correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, Transition Matrix, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test indicate a transition in cropping patterns from long-duration to short-duration crops from 2015 to 2025 which accompanied by a notable expansion of uncultivated land. The results also reveals the erosion and accretion prone areas have led to more short-duration crops and increased fallow land in the study site. These findings offer valuable insights for sustainable agricultural management and erosion mitigation in Bangladesh’s riverine char lands.