Jessore District Research Articles

A comparative study on zinc fertilizer brands available in the markets of Jessore region

A study was conducted in Monirampur upazila under Jessore district from July to December, 2016 to collect information on names, numbers and comparative availability of different brands of Zinc fertilizers in order to aid the assessment of nutrient status for quality of the brands. For this purpose, information was collected from 54 randomly selected fertilizer shops (20 BCIC fertilizer dealers and 34 retailers) through questionnaire interview. In the study total 77 brands [41 Zinc sulfate (mono), 11 Zinc sulfate (hepta) and 25 Chelated zinc] of zinc fertilizer marketed by 49 companies were found in the upazila. Zingsul, Mim zinc, Grogin, Bumper mono zinc, Eon zinc and Geel mono of Zinc sulfate (mono) brands, Topaz of Zinc sulfate (hepta) brands and Mim zinc gold of Chelated zinc brands were mostly available. “Grogin” of Zinc sulfate (mono) and “Topaz” of Zinc sulfate (hepta) were the top most available. Ten percent of Zinc sulfate (hepta) mentioned no registration number. There was a significant difference between highest and lowest MRP of all types (imported, supplied and manufactured) of Zinc sulfate (mono) and Zinc sulfate (hepta) fertilizer as well as imported Chelated zinc brands.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 7 (2): 57-62, December, 2017

Impact of Tidal River Management (TRM) for Water Logging: A Geospatial Case Study on Coastal Zone of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a floodplain dominated country. Coastal delta areas of Bangladesh convey multiple impacts of climate change worth-hit. Most of the rivers carry a huge amount of sediment from upstream piedmont area. The river bed rises due to insufficient upstream water supply. Similarly, the deposited sedimentation creates a large number of sandbars inside the river. That’s why, water logging and siltation turn into a serious problem in the south-western region of Bangladesh, especially in Satkhira, Khulna and Jessore district. In the middle of September, 2011 the Tidal River Management (TRM) project approved at the study site for four years to develop the water logging problem with basic consideration of silt management. In this circumstance, this study focused on the consequences of the TRM on water logging in the coastal area of Bangladesh. Primary and secondary data have been used. Geospatial analyses have been used following the NDWI in Arc GIS for water logging area detestation using Landsat Enhance Thematic Mapper (ETM) and Landsat Operational land Image (OLI) satellite images. The geo-spatial analysis denoted, about 5090 acres of agricultural land and about 729 acres of homestead land have been water logged during TRM implementation period.

Production economics of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Sauvage, 1878) farming under polyculture system in Bangladesh

The present study assesses the production costs, profitability and the importance of inputs (seed, feed, fertilizer and labor) in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) production under polyculture system in Bangladesh. A survey was conducted by structured questionnaire during November 2011–June 2012 that included 201 pangasius farmers of four locations, namely Bogra, Jessore, Mymensingh and Narshingdi districts. Based on the aquaculture operation area and management characteristics, these farms were categorized into small, medium and large scale farms. The average annual production costs, gross income, net income and benefit cost ratios were higher (P≥0.05) in medium farms, followed by small and large farms and these parameters varied significantly (P≤0.05) between farm locations. The Cobb-Douglas production function model was applied to evaluate several independent variables (inputs) related with fish production. The results showed that feeding and stocking density were the most significant factors influencing fish production. The analysis also showed an increasing return to scale, implying an increase in inputs will more than proportionately increase production. The estimated marginal physical productivity of the inputs suggests that stocking density, feeding and labor should be increased in order to increase farm profitability. However, some inputs were inefficiently used by different farm categories. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that farmers should consider more attention on the use of these inputs more efficiently in order to facilitate a sustainable increase in fish production.

Socio-demographic profile and lung function status among tobacco wor

This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the lung function status and socio-demographic profile of the tobacco workers. The study place was “Akij Tobacco Industry” which is situated in Sharsa Upazila under Jessore District of Bangladesh. The period of the study extending from January to December 2014. Tobacco worker who had worked in Akij Tobacco Industry, both male and female and working period more than one year. The total sample size was 203 and simple random sampling was done to select the workers on the basis of their identification number. Data were collected through face to face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and lung function status measured by the spirometer. About one-third (34.0%) of the workers was in the age group 40-60 years and mean age were35.8 ± 0.2 years. Of them the majority (54.1%) were male, 89.2% were married, and 48.3% were illiterate. More than half (53.2%) of the worker from the joint family and maximum (53.7%) respondents were in the income group 5000-10000 taka, 39.4% of the worker lived in katcha house and 95.5% were using the sanitary latrine. Approximately half (49.7%) of workers were working for more than 10 years and 66.5% of the workers were working daily for 6-8 hours. More than half (52.7%) of the workers were consuming tobacco product in which 62.3% used to smoke and 31.1% exposed to smokeless tobacco. The mean ± SD forced vital capacity in the 1st second (FEV1) was 2.25 ± 0.12 whereas forced vital capacity (FVC) was 2.59 ± 0.27 and the FEV1/FVC ratio was 87.16 ± 4.91.There was no significant (p>0.05) difference between male and female in their lung function status. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) was found between in mean score of FEV1/FVC ratio and the total working period. From the public health point of view, preventive measures need to be taken to control the dusty environment and wearing of personal protective masks.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2017, 3(2): 205-210

Impacts of the Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation System on Modern Varieties of Paddy Production in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Jessore District

This paper attempts to estimate the impacts of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation system on modern varieties (MV) of paddy production in Bangladesh. This study was conducted using primary data. A total of 140 MV boro producers were randomly selected from Manoharpur village of Monirampur Upazila in the district of Jessore, of which 70 farmers used the advanced AWD irrigation technique and the remaining used traditional irrigation techniques in cultivating MV boro paddy. Information on inputs and output of MV boro paddy cultivation was collected through a structured questionnaire. The study findings indicate that AWD farmers used less chemical fertilisers (with the exception of TSP) such as urea, MP, Gypsum and Zinc compared to farmers using traditional irrigation. Moreover, the amount of chemical fertiliser used also varied significantly within the same farming system. The farmers used almost similar proportions of temporary hired and family (male and female) labour for MV boro paddy cultivation under both irrigation systems. However, per hectare yield of MV boro paddy, revenue and profit were significantly higher in farms that used the AWD irrigation technique. In addition, farmers using the AWD irrigation technique used excessive irrigation and urea per hectare compared to their traditional counterparts. AWD results in approximately 10 per cent increase in productivity. Another 4 per cent increase was due to differences in quantities of inputs used in the study area.

A dynamic framework for strengthening women's social capital: strategies for community development in rural Bangladesh

There is considerable evidence in the literature that social capital contributes to poverty alleviation, but evidence of how development actors can strengthen the productive social capital for poor people remains scarce. This article describes strategies to strengthen social capital developed by an NGO and poor women as part of a development programme, undertaken in Jessore District, rural Bangladesh, during 2006–2012. The NGO and the women leveraged bonding (familial), bridging (peers), and linking (vertical links to powerholders) social capital to improve the livelihoods of women and their families, simultaneously changing gender relations within households and communities. Against a background of local norms and ethics, the NGO and the women employed strategies that created opportunities for women to meet and exchange, and develop their social skills, know-how, self-worth and capacity to act. Drawing on these strategies, the article presents a dynamic framework for strengthening social capital for community development, providing theoretical insights into the mechanisms for doing so.

Local Stakeholder Analysis of Tidal River Management (TRM) at Beel Kapalia and the Implication of TRM as a Disaster Management Approach

Beel Kapalia is basically a marsh land or natural depression which lies in Monirampur upazila under Jessore district to the direction of south eastern from Dhaka. Mitigation of water-logging problem getting suspended sediment deposit gradually under a simulated manner is the driving mechanism for adapting Tidal River Management (TRM) project in the vicinity of the area. Besides, annual rainfall to the respective catchment area resulting flooding problem may be alleviated under proper disaster management program via introducing TRM as a selective approach. But, a lot of disputes and social movement have been arrived considering the demerits of TRM project including destruction of shrimp culture, which could be conducted by channelling the tidal water to marsh land, wetland ecosystem adversity, and assortment of an approximately 750 hectors marsh land and so on. This paper mainly focuses on the feasibility analysis of TRM project influencing to the local community. The field data is being collecting by pursuing social survey as questionnaire method to reveal the inherent perspective of the local people in this regard. Result show that about half of the people have been putting a negative attitude and rest of the sample having a mixed judgments regarding TRM project installation on the respective area. This paper provides an overview regarding the significant implication in an effort to introduce TRM project development in area studied and the finding could be helpful to pursue TRM project analysis in other area to be studied.

Women’s-Group Fishponds in Bangladesh

In this article, the authors assess the impact of a fish polyculture program introduced through women-only groups on the gender asset gap among households in the Jessore District of Bangladesh. The analysis is framed using gender structure theory to examine the ways individual, interactional, and macro forces shape the asset gap as a key gender equity outcome. The authors find that participation in the fishpond program, as a mechanism at the macro dimension of the gender structure, was associated with an increase in the gender asset gap over time.

Determination of Factors that Affect the Pregnancy Rate of Cows after Artificial Insemination at Monirampur Upazila of Jessore District of Bangladesh

Determination of Factors that Affect the Pregnancy Rate of Cows after Artificial Insemination at Monirampur Upazila of Jessore District of Bangladesh

Problems and prospects of fish nursery operators in Jessore district of Bangladesh

A study was conducted to know the problems and prospects fish nursery operators in Jessore district. A total of 50 nursery operators (Jessore sadar, Jikhorgasha and Avynagor) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during March-May 2016. The objective of the survey was to study different aspects on pond area, fingerling rearing status, nursery layer, number of employees, sources of fingerlings, survival rate, fingerlings prices, market system, capital sources, fingerling production, prospects and problems for nursery operators. In survey areas, most of the nursery operators were continued their business in two to five ponds with an average area of 1.25±0.04 ha. In the present study, it was found that 4.5±3.25 persons were associated in each nursery but the permanent manpower was minimal. The total fingerlings production in the selected nurseries were 1685 laks of where silver carp 23.74%, Rohu 20.77%, Catla 19%, Mrigal 14.84%, Common carp 10.68%, Koi 2.97%, Thai Puti 5.93%, Grass Carp 1.19% and Pangus 0.89%.The survival rate were 70-80%. Average price of Indian major carps- were Tk. 350 to 500, Chinese carp were Tk. 200 to 400, Thai sharpunti were 350-400 and Pungus were Tk. 400-500 fingerlings/ kg. In the study area, nursery operators were faced various problems such as lack of capital (21.25%), diseases problem (19.75%), high lease value (15.00%), shortage of water (5.00%), high price of production inputs (11.00%), flooding (3.00%), terrorism (11.00%), high temperature (3.00%), intense market competition (6.00%) and the lack of policy support (5.00%). Government should take proper care for nursery operators and fish associated communities for the enhancement of fishery production.
 Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2016, 1 (3), 429-434

Economic analysis of the fishery activities of Bergobindapur baor at Chaugachha upazila under Jessore district of Bangladesh

The study was conducted on Bergobindapur baor at Chaugachha upazila under Jessore district. The study period was February to June, 2015. Data were collected by using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools and personal observation. Net return was loss in 2013-2014 and the loss amount was BDT 254200. Cost benefit-ratio in 2013-2014 was 0.99. Major income (83.30%) of the fishermen community was drawn from the fishery activities of Bergobindapur baor. In 2014-2015, average income of fishermen was BDT 25250 during the fishing period. Within the household of fishermen community, the expenditure for food was 19%, clothing, 3%, children’s education, 19%, medical, 3%, dowry and religion, 33%, agriculture, 13% and others, such as business, accommodation, sanitation etc. 10%, which came from baor activities. The findings of this study indicated that Bergobindapur baor plays a vital role for the support of livelihood of fishermen and net profit from baor was not satisfactory. A long-term strategy should be developed to make the baor profitable. The developed strategic plans should be initiated immediately for the profitability of the baor as well as improving the livelihood conditions of the fishermen engaged with the boar fishery activities.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 436-441

Water quality, feeding management and cost-benefit analysis of a fish hatchery in Jessore district of Bangladesh

The study was conducted at Ma-Fatema Fish Hatchery in Jessore from January to March, 2016. The present study was emphasized on water quality parameters, feeding management and cost- benefit analysis. The water quality parameters temperature (0C), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) (mg/l) and transparency (cm) were measured by Celsius thermometer, pH meter, DO meter and secchi disk, respectively. The proximate composition of feed ingredients was determined by the Association of Analytical Chemists, 1980. Brood fishes were reared all year round in the brood ponds by supplying formulated feeds. Temperature was 19oC -26°C in brood ponds and 18oC-24oC in hatching jars; pH was 6.93–7.87 in brood ponds and 6.79-7.54 in the hatching jars; dissolved oxygen was 4.8-6.3 mg/l in brood ponds and 4.8-6.7 mg/l in hatching jars; transparency was 14-18 cm in the brood ponds. The percentage of farm made feed was protein (27.76%), lipid (4.9%), CHO (18.62%), ash (11.31%), fiber (6.4%), moisture (31.01%). The cost benefit ratios were 1.54, 1.32 and 1.23 and net profits were BDT 49911.67, BDT 24816.67and BDT 16366.67 respectively in January, February and March. Management of brood fish by providing quality feed and physico-chemical parameters of water were maintained in according to scientific procedure. Cost-benefit ratio of the hatchery in common carp production was satisfactory.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 414-421

A study on fishery management of Bergobindapur baor at Chaugachha upazila under Jessore district, Bangladesh

The study was conducted on Bergobindapur baor at Chaugachha upazila under Jessore district. The study period was February to June, 2015. Data were collected by using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools and personal observation. Stocking densities of silver carp, catla, rohu, mrigal, grass carp, common carp (size 5-6 inch) were 48, 15, 35, 28, 16 and 10 kg/ha and composition were 31%, 10%, 23%, 19%, 10% and 7% in the fiscal year 2013-2014, respectively. In 2014-2015 stocking densities of silver carp, catla, rohu, mrigal, grass carp, common carp (size 5-6 inch) were 28, 9, 23, 9, 9 and 14 kg/ha and composition were 30%, 10%, 25%, 10%, 10%, and 15%, respectively. Total stocking density of carp species was 152 kg/ha in the fiscal year 2013-2014 and 92 kg/ha in 2014-2015. Production of carps and SIS were 345.62 and 258.065 kg/ha in 2013-2014 and 323.065 and 276.50 kg/ha in 2014-2015, respectively. In the study area, seine net was used for komor and kochal (local name) fishing. Carp species harvested by komor and kochal fishing in 2013-2014 were 276.50 kg/ha, 69.12 kg/ha and in 2014-2015 were 274.61 and 48.43 kg/ha, respectively. Marketing channel started from the fishermen and carp fishes were supplied to three markets namely Chaugachha, Jessore and Jhenidah. The findings of this study assumed that production of fish could be increased 25% through an effective management practices. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2016, 1 (2), 291-296

Nutritional status and socio-demographic characteristics of the people of south-west coastal region in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is in danger area of the world because of its geographic location and the coastal zone of Bangladesh is worldwide recognized as an extremely vulnerable area. For determining disaster related losses and possible disaster management options, the south-west coastal belt Manirampur upazila and Abhaynagar upazila of Jessore district were selected. The survey was conducted by pre-structured questionnaire among six villages from Bagutia union of Abhaynagar upazila and Haridaskati union of Manirampur upazila, during January-June, 2015. A total of 100 households were randomly selected from the six study villages which were based on mainly livelihood pattern of the households (crop production, shrimp culture and others). The average income of the respondents was found 2001-4000 Tk. per month. Average land holding capacity per household was about 80 decimal. About 90% respondents of the study area said the intensity of disaster was more than before. Most of the respondents thought they were vulnerable to disaster. Most of the respondents were experienced with water logging condition. This study attempts to develop a proposed solution for enhancing DMS which reducing loss and copes with all kind of disaster in Bangladesh. In the study area 80% people to wanted TRM and 20% people do not want TRM; they thought TRM might be the probable solution of disaster vulnerability. It can be concluded that number of victim people caused by disaster decreases because of technological advancement but disaster occurrence increases from past to recent due to climate change impact. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2016, 1 (2), 323-332

Morphometric study of banded gourami (Colisa fasciata) in Jessore, Bangladesh

Population morphometry including population demography, size group distribution, length weight relationship and sex ratio of an important freshwater fish, Colisafasciata was studied which collected fromJessore and Jhenaidah districts in Bangladesh during May, 2014 to April, 2015. Random samples of 201 individuals (108males and 93 females) were collected from different fish markets in Jessore (Monirampur, Borobazar, Chowgasa) and Jhenaidah (Mohespur, Barobazar, Kotchandpur) districst. The mean size of the specimen was recorded 65.08 ±14.32 mm in length and 7.43 ±3.09 g in body weight. Females were found little smaller than males. The specimens were larger in winter than summer and monsoon season. But in monsoon season the females were larger than males. The maximum length of the specimen collected from Jhenaidah district was smaller compare to the specimen of Jessore district. Most of the population (29%) was observed under 55-64 mm size class. Linear relationship was obtained between the log length (mm) and log weight (g) of the species in respects of sexes, seasons, and districts. The allometric coefficient ‘b’ of the relationship indicated negative allometric growth of the species as ‘b’ value was less than 3. The overall sex ratio (male: female=1:0.86)showed significant difference from the expected value 1:1. Overall males showed non-significant over females (?2 =1.119) in all season of both districts but in November males showed the significant (P<0.01) dominance over females. However, the findings of the present study have helped us to understand more about the species is the prerequisites in fishery management strategy and culture system.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2016, 2(1): 113-120

How much can smallholders in Bangladesh benefit from summer tomato cultivation? an applied agro-economic analysis of on-farm data

Cultivating summer (monsoon season) tomatoes in Bangladesh holds promise as a profitable enterprise with which farmers can augment existing cropping patterns, since only small amounts of land are required. Using on-farm production data collected from 18farmers in Jessore District,gross margin and other economic indicators were estimated. Results indicate that, with careful management implemented early in the crop season, small farmers can earn impressive profits if they harvest summer tomatoes at least twice (two fruiting stages). With an average gross margin equivalent to US$13,737 ha-1, for example, a smallholder that owns or leases only 0.028 ha (approximately 7 decimals) could earn more than US$ 350. In addition a very high rate of return over investment (5.66) was calculated for farmers harvesting four times during the seven month cultivation period. Nevertheless, additional research remains to fine-tune farmers’ management of the summer tomato crop in order increase profits further by lowering the costs associated with key inputs (e.g., more efficient hormone application), or by utilizing the inputs more effectivetly (e.g., timing the spraying of hormones to coincide fruitsetting with periods of high demand). Since summer grown tomatoes are also disease and pest risk prone, the development of effective integrated pest mangement strategies are also required in order to reduce the high level of chemical use observed.SAARC J. Agri., 13(2): 80-93 (2015)

Performance Evaluation of Existing Community Level Arsenic Removal Plants for Arsenic Free Drinking Water Supply in Jessore and Jhenidah Districts of Bangladesh

The use of groundwater as drinking water in Bangladesh is favoured by its easy availability, microbial safety and absence of proper infrastructure for treatment and distribution of surface water. As a result, millions of people are affected by widespread arsenic poisoning through drinking water drawn from underground sources containing arsenic at concentrations well above the permissible limit of 50µg/L. Since 2000, hundreds of community level arsenic removal plants have been installed in the south-west region of Bangladesh. However, the performance of the plants over time is hindered by lack of information due to the absence of long term water quality monitoring information. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of existing community level arsenic removal plants. In this study, we selected five arsenic removal plants (four plants were Arsenic Iron Removal Plant, namely AIRP; and one Granular Ferric Hydroxide Based Arsenic Removal Unit, namely SIDKO) located in Jessore and Jhenidah district. All AIRPs and SIDKO achieved the Bangladesh standard for arsenic in drinking water of 50µg/L. The AIRPs removed 64% of influent arsenic on average. However, the SIDKO removed 80 % of influent arsenic. Treated water quality parameter (such as pH, EC, TDS, PO43-, As, NO3-) of the plants were within the WHO standards, except NH3 (0.01-1.89 mg/L) and Fe++ (1.0 – 1.21 mg/L) for long term uses.

Socio Economic Conditions of the Hatchery Labors in Chanchra Area of Jessor District in Bangladesh

The study was conducted on the hatchery labors in some selected area of Jessore Sadar Upazila in Bangladesh under the district of Jessore by using a logical questionnaire on socio-economic condition of hatchery labor. The main objective of the study is to know the socio-economic condition of the hatchery labors in some selected area of Chanchra region of Jessore district. The specific objectives are to know the different labor categories in hatcheries of Chanchra region and to know the socio-economic condition of hatchery labors. A total of 40 hatchery labors were selected and interviewed. It was found that the average age group of hatchery labor is 26-35 years, predominantly all of them are male and any presence of female labor was not found. It was found that about 95% labor use tube-well water and 5% use deep tube-well water. Regarding mean of transport, 65% labor move by on foot. It was found that about 75% hatchery had no medical treatment facility. However, further study about the socio-economic condition is needed and institutional, organizational, technical and credit supports are needed for their better socio-economic and sustainable livelihood.

Assessment of regulatory requirements in diagnostic X-ray facilities in Bangladesh

X-ray is one of the very old yet powerful modalities of diagnostic imaging procedures. Bangladesh has a history of over 80 years of using X-ray for medical diagnostic purposes. But not many of the users were knowledgeable about the potential risks associated with an ionizing radiation like X-ray. To create awareness on radiation safety Bangladesh Government for the first time promulgated nuclear safety and radiation control (NSRC) act in 1993 and corresponding NSRC rules in 1997. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate shielding structure of some diagnostic x-ray facilities in Jessore district of Bangladesh with respect to regulatory standards. Radiation dose levels are also measured at different points in order to investigate the shielding adequacy of the facility. Estimated dose levels were found higher than the regulatory limit (0.5µSv/h) across the entrance door (ED) of 66% facilities. Secondary walls of the X-ray room were found adequately shielded with 10 inch brick wall. The shielding structure of control panel (CP) of the four facilities was not sufficient according to regulation and there were no shielding in the viewing window of CP of two facilities and the amount of lead shielding at the same points of two other facilities was found less than the regulatory requirements (2mm). Only 4 machine operators were found qualified diploma holder radiographer among 16 operators which could affect overall radiation safety features.

Farmers Preference and Perception towards Cropland Agroforestry in Bangladesh

This study attempts to examine farmers' preference and perception towards cropland agroforestry (CAF) and its economic benefits in Bangladesh. It surveys 84 farmers of two sub-districts named Manirampur and Bagherpara under Jessore district of Bangladesh to address the study objectives with the help of a questionnaire during the period of June to July 2013. We follow a multistage random sampling procedure for selecting respondents of the survey. A total of 27 plant species under 19 families are identified in the surveyed crop fields, among which 11 are tree species and 1 is shrub from 8 families and 15 species are agricultural crops from 11 families. According to the survey findings, most of the farmers prefer multipurpose tree species like Swietenia macrophylla (67 percent), Phoenix sylvestris (48 percent), Mangifera indica (48 percent) and Cocos nucifera (43 percent). We also find that Curcuma longa (92 percent), Oryza spp. (56 percent), Solanum melongena (43 percent) and Amorphophallus campanulatus (33 percent) are the available agriculture crops which are grown in association with trees in the study area. The surveyed farmers report that they practice CAF to get fuel wood, fodder, juice, fruit and food for family consumption and revenue earnings. About 76 percent of the surveyed farmers endorse the existence of a positive interaction between trees and agriculture crops, while the rest 24 percent endorse the existence of a negative interaction between trees and agriculture crops. This study finds that CAF farmers on an average earn US$ 1,410 per farm per year and the yearly average revenue difference between CAF and non-cropland agroforestry (NCAF) farmers is US$ 214. Overall, CAF needs to develop through scientific intervention in the study area to conserve the biodiversity and to enhance farmers' sustainable livelihood.