Options for increasing Boro rice production in the saline coastal zone of Bangladesh

•We evaluated options for increasing Boro rice production at Satkhira, Bangladesh.•Earlier sowing offers higher grain yields with increased cropping area due to better utilisation of fresh river water.•Increases in Boro rice production of up to 4x are possible.•Constraints with late-maturing monsoon rice crops and ineffective sluice gate management must be solved.•Potential problems associated with increased salinization of polder soils need to be investigated.