EXPLORING THE CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS ON BORO RICE YIELDS OF RAJSHAHI DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh is a developing country with high population density and high population growth rate. Rice is the principle food of Bangladesh. Although country considers as fourth rice producer in the world but still it fell food insecurity because of its high population growth rate. The objective of this study was to estimate the relationship between Boro rice yields and climate variables using aggregate-level time series data for the period of 1987 to 2015. The empirical analysis showed that four climate variables minimum humidity at vegetating phase, minimum temperature and consecutive days rainfall average at ripping phase and dummy variables have substantial effects on the Boro rice yield. The result also indicates that average seasonal minimum temperature, minimum humidity and average rainfall are statistically significant and positively affect the yield of Boro rice in case of Rajshahi district. Moreover, excessive rainfall may create water logging condition and flooding that also destroys the crop production. Therefore, the concerned authority should take appropriate policies to fight against the climate change impact on rice production to ensure food security for the ever increasing population of the country through implementing sustainable agricultural development.