Unlocking the Potential of Fallow Lands: Crop Diversification in Coastal Bangladesh

by Sharif Ahmed, Manik Debnath, and Humnath Bhandari

Coastal Bangladesh, which accounts for nearly one-third of the country’s agricultural land, faces significant challenges that limit its cropping intensity. Soil and water salinity, waterlogging, erratic rainfall, and prolonged cultivation of long-duration aman rice leave 30-50% of farmland fallow during the dry season. This underutilization represents a missed opportunity to enhance food security and rural incomes.

To address this gap, the Sustainable Farming Program (SFP), led by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), is promoting crop intensification and diversification through climate-smart technologies. In the 2025 dry season, the program successfully piloted maize and groundnut cultivation on 21 acres of previously unused land—17 acres of maize and 4 acres of groundnut—demonstrating their viability in coastal conditions.

Promising Results from Pilot Cultivation

To showcase the success, IRRI organized farmers’ field days in Amtali (Barguna) and Kalapara (Patuakhali), attracting 120 farmers and officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Participants observed strong yields and discussed best practices for cultivation. “These crops are proving to be highly suitable for our coastal conditions,” said a participating farmers. “They not only help fill the fallow season but also offer better income opportunities.”

Groundnut, requiring less labor and cost than traditional mung beans, showed excellent performance . Mosarref Hawlader, a first-time groundnut farmer, shared his experience: “I grew groundnuts for the first time this season and achieved excellent results. It requires less labor and cost compared to mung beans. I am hopeful for a good profit.”

Md. Rasel, Upazila…