GECAFS Indo-Gangetic Plains

Western Region (1, 2 & 3)

• high productivity – food surplus

• high investment in infrastructure

• major use of fertilisers and ground-water for irrigation

• in-migration of labour

Eastern Region (4 & 5)

• low productivity – food deficit

• poor infrastructure and low inputs of fertilizer and water

• high risk of flooding

• out-migration of labour

IGP General Characteristics

The IGP food system is both threatened by GEC and contributes to further GEC “forcing”.

In the face of increased climate variability, policy requirements are to develop strategies that:

a) sustain/boost agricultural production while limiting further environmental degradation

b) promote food systems which improve socioeconomic conditions for the more vulnerable

c) encourage reduced intra-regional labour migration

Research needs to recognise the marked socioeconomic and biophysical differences across the region.

Context

Conditions&

Scenarios

CurrentFood Systems

AdaptedFood Systems

What will be the consequences of changed water management on rural livelihoods, intra-regional trade, GHG emissions and water tables?

How will climate variability affect change in water demand in IGP food systems?

How can changes in water management (e.g. though policy instruments and/or agronomic aspects) reduce vulnerability of rice-wheat productivity to climate variability?

IGP Western Sub-Region Characterisation and GECAFS Questions

• high productivity – food surplus region• high investment in infrastructure• major use of fertilisers and ground-water for irrigation• in-migration of labour

Conditions&

Scenarios

CurrentFood Systems

AdaptedFood Systems

How would diversification effect rural incomes, labour migration, water quality and regional biodiversity?

How will climate variability affect vulnerability of resource-poor farmers to flooding?

What are the market opportunities, social constraints and technical options for diversifying crops (e.g. aquaculture) to make more effective use of flood and groundwater?

IGP Eastern Sub-Region Characterisation and GECAFS Questions

• low productivity – food deficit region• poor infrastructure and low inputs of fertilizer and water• high risk of flooding• out-migration of labour

Food system determinantsFood System

Component Key Determinant Greater Faridpur, BD Gujrat, PK

Food Utilisation      

  Nutritional Value Food diversity Low OK

    Primary protein pulses meat/pulse/milk

   Effect of food processing on food

qualitydecreases quality  

         

  Social Value Social bonding/celebrations important but weakening important

    Role of food in kinship weakening  

   Esteem from agricultural

production/ farmer identity  HH self-suficency

valued

         

  Food Safety Public awareness re hygiene Low low

    Presence of pathogens    

    contamination Arsenic in drinking water pesticides in water

    Storage conditions Poor unknown

         

Food System Determinants (2)Food Access Determinant Bangladesh Pakistan

  Affordability household incomes Generally low medium/high

  proportion of food purchased 60% self-sufficient in rice ?

  Policy support? Conducive govt. policy but inadequate institutional support

?

         

  Allocation      

  Control over own production sharcroppers get small share ?

  Degree of market influence market-driven ?

  Government intervention re markets

Inadequate adequate

    Market efficiency (storage capacity, integration…)

low or poor ??

  Preference Preferred carbohydrate Rice dominates culturally wheat, rice second

    preferred protein Fish but expensive Eat what produce

    Consumption patterns changing towards more commercially processed food

??