GovTwin / Institution

Taraganj (Rangpur)

Local Gov

A small northwestern rural upazila of Rangpur on the upland plain, with an agrarian economy of paddy, potato and maize.

Indicators: Meta RWI (HDX); ERA5-Land; MODIS; Sentinel-5P; VIIRS night-lights; GHSL; Hansen v1.11; CHIRPS v2.0. Exposure: GloFAS v2.1, FABDEM, MODIS LST, ACAG PM2.5, WorldPop 2020.

Problems and issues

1. poverty A mean Relative Wealth Index of -0.158 places Taraganj in the poorer third decile of upazilas, reflecting a low rural asset base. So what: Limited household assets leave families exposed through the lean season. Source: Meta Data for Good Relative Wealth Index (HDX)
2. agriculture Scant permanent surface water leaves dry-season irrigation for paddy, potato and maize dependent on groundwater. So what: Groundwater reliance raises irrigation costs and stresses the aquifer. Source: Barind Multipurpose Development Authority
3. poverty Seasonal monga food insecurity recurs in the lean period, weighing most on landless farm labour. So what: Lean-season hunger deepens debt and vulnerability among the poorest. Source: Department of Disaster Management

Probable solutions

• Expand surface-water harvesting, re-excavate canals and promote alternate wetting and drying and low-lift surface irrigation to reduce groundwater dependence Responsible: Barind Multipurpose Development Authority / Department of Agricultural Extension · policy proposal
• Target seasonal employment and cash support timed to the lean season under monga-mitigation programming Responsible: Department of Disaster Management / Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief · monga-mitigation programming