Addressing soil salinity for sustainable agriculture and food security: Innovations and challenges in coastal regions of Bangladesh

Global warming can increase soil salinity, posing a threat to Bangladesh's fragile coastal agriculture and jeopardizing the nation's food security. This study elucidates the adverse effects of soil salinity on agroecosystems and food security in Bangladesh while proposing innovative research pathways for its mitigation. Soil salinity disrupts plant growth through ion toxicity and osmotic imbalances, resulting in reduced crop yields. In Bangladesh, approximately 30% of arable land is in coastal zones, which exacerbates the threat to food security, especially with rising sea levels. Traditional techniques for reducing salinity are ineffective, necessitating the development of novel solutions. Recent research in climate-smart agriculture and microbial-assisted phytoremediation using endophytic bacteria has shown promise in boosting plant growth and nutrient absorption, while combating salinity stress. This paper emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices and bioremediation technologies to safeguard food production, alleviate poverty, and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, addressing soil salinity is emerging as a critical step toward ensuring global food security and sustainable development.