Northwestern Bangladesh Research Articles

Measuring environmental sustainability in agriculture: A composite environmental impact index approach

The present study develops a composite environmental impact index (CEII) to evaluate the extent of environmental degradation in agriculture after successfully validating its flexibility, applicability and relevance as a tool. The CEII tool is then applied to empirically measure the extent of environmental impacts of High Yield Variety (HYV) rice cultivation in three districts of north-western Bangladesh for a single crop year (October, 2012–September, 2013). Results reveal that 27 to 69 per cent of the theoretical maximum level of environmental damage is created due to HYV rice cultivation with significant regional variations in the CEII scores, implying that policy interventions are required in environmentally critical areas in order to sustain agriculture in Bangladesh.

What does benchmarking of wheat farmers practicing conservation tillage in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains tell us about energy use efficiency? An application of slack-based data envelopment analysis

Escalating energy costs are an increasing concern for South Asian farmers growing rice and wheat in rotation. Millions of people in the IGP (Indo-Gangetic Plains) depend on this cropping system for food and income security. CT (conservation tillage) practices, including mechanical BP (bed planting), PTOS (power-tiller operated seeding), and ST (strip tillage), are advocated by donors and development organizations as profitable, high yielding, and energy-efficient alternatives to TT (traditional tillage). However, most studies on the EUE (energy input use efficiency) of CT originate from researcher-controlled and on-station experiments. Comparatively little information is available on the EUE of CT practices as farmers apply them in their own fields, and under their own management decisions. This research responds to this gap, and analyzes EUE of each of these three CT options, compared to TT, by surveying 328 rice-wheat farmers in north-western Bangladesh. Concentrating on wheat production, we employed a non-parametric benchmarking technique involving slack-based measures of technical efficiency, along with a fractional regression model to identify and compute the wasteful use of energy. PTOS achieved the highest EUE score (0.92), followed closely by BP and ST (both 0.91), whereas TT (0.68) was significantly (p<0.001) different and lower than the CT practices.

A qualitative study exploring perceived barriers to infant feeding and caregiving among adolescent girls and young women in rural Bangladesh.

BackgroundInfant feeding and caregiving by adolescent girls and young women in rural Bangladesh remains relatively understudied despite high potential vulnerability of younger mothers and their children due to poverty and high rates of early marriage and childbearing. This key knowledge gap may hamper the effectiveness of maternal, infant and child health interventions not specifically tailored to teenage mothers. This study aimed to narrow this gap by documenting key barriers to optimal infant and young child feeding and caregiving perceived by adolescent girls and young women in rural Bangladesh.MethodsFocus group discussions and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 70 adolescent girls and young women participating in a community-based adolescent empowerment program in two rural regions of northwestern Bangladesh. Participants were stratified into three groups: unmarried, married without child, and married with child(ren). Thematic analysis was performed to elucidate dominant ideas regarding challenges with child feeding and caregiving across participant strata.ResultsParticipants in all three strata and in both geographical regions attributed actual and anticipated caregiving difficulties to five major contextual factors: early marriage, maternal time allocation conflicts, rural life, short birth intervals, and poverty. Indications are that many girls and young women anticipate difficulties in feeding and caring for their future children from an early age, and often prior to motherhood. Participants articulated both perceived need and unmet demand for additional education in infant and young child feeding, childcare, and family planning techniques.ConclusionsProvision during adolescence of appropriate education, services and financial aid to support best practices for infant feeding and childcare could significantly improve maternal self-efficacy, mental health, nutrition security and young childcare, nutrition and health in rural Bangladesh. Lessons learned can be applied in future programs aimed at supporting adolescent women along a continuum of care.

Record of Humerana humeralis (Boulenger 1887) from Rangpur district of north-western Bangladesh

A male Bhamo frog Humerana humeralis was first time collected from Rangpur, Bangladesh, outside its usually habitat. The dorsal surface was characteristically olive brown to bright green in colour and the ventral surface was whitish. Black spots were distributed between nostril and between eyes. The length of snout-vent, head, snout were found to be 43.25 mm, 14.50 mm and 7.5 mm, respectively. Some information of its natural history is also included in the paper.Bangladesh J. Zool. 42(2): 277-282, 2014

Enhancing farmers’ capacity for botanical pesticide innovation through video-mediated learning in Bangladesh

Despite the general success of farmer-capacity-building methods such as Farmer Field School in promoting pest management innovations, only those farmers directly involved benefit. How can agricultural extension enable farmer-to-farmer learning about botanical pesticides beyond such schools? We wanted to know how different learning methods, such as video shows and workshops, change farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices about botanical pesticides. This paper explains how video engages men and women farmers in spreading botanical pesticides across 12 villages in Bogra District, north-western Bangladesh. We conducted ex ante and ex post surveys among farmers from November 2009 to September 2010. For data analysis, we used t-test and McNemer and Wilcoxon sign rank tests. Our findings suggest that video improves the ability of both male and female farmers to communicate about pest management among themselves and with other stakeholders, as ‘intricate ethno-agricultural practices’. Video-mediated learning sessions are more effective than conventional workshop training in enhancing farmers’ knowledge about botanical pesticides, changing their attitude and finally taking a decision to adopt these methods. In other words, video is capable of communicating complex issues such as the biological and physical processes that underlie pest management innovations. From our case, we conclude that agricultural extension is more effective with the use of facilitated video learning and that this process clarifies complex agro-ecological principles, bias and normative perceptions of the learners. Also, video-mediated learning is not only transferable across villages, but also works well in combination with other media, such as radio, television and mobile phones.

English

The present study reports the first complete and inclusive description of some biological parameters including lengthfrequency distribution (LFD), sex ratio (SR), length-weight relationship (LWR), condition factors (allometric, K A ; Fulton’s, K F ; relative, K R and relative weight, W R ) and form factor (a 3.0 ) of Labeo boga in the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh. Sampling was conducted using traditional fishing gears during April 2011 to March 2012. For each specimen, total length (TL) was measured to the nearest 0.01 cm using digital slide calipers and total body weight (BW) was measured using an electronic balance with 0.01 g accuracy. The LWR was calculated using the expression: W= a L b , where W is the BW and L is the TL. A total of 211 specimens ranging from 9.78-27.50 cm TL and 10.00 to 276.10 g BW were studied. BW of females was significantly higher than that of males (Mann-Whitney U-test, p>0.001). However the overall sex ratio did not differ significantly from the expected value of 1:1 ( χ 2 = 0.12, p<0.05). The calculated b for the LWR indicated isometric growth (» 3.00) in males, females and combined gender and there were significant differences in the intercepts but not in the slopes between the sexes of L. boga in the Ganges River. K F of females was significantly higher than that for males (p<0.001). In addition, the Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that the W R did not differ from 100 for males and females in this study indicating good condition of habitat for L. boga. The results of this study would be an effective tool for fishery specialists to initiate early management strategies and regulations for the sustainable management of the remaining stocks of this species within the Padma River and surrounding ecosystems.

Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS to Assess Vulnerability of Environmental Degradation in North-Western Bangladesh

Environmental degradation is a burning issue in Bangladesh. The degradation process is extremely acute in the north-western part of Bangladesh due to many environmental and anthropogenic reasons. However, initiative of research work on this issue is very crucial and urgent for regional and local planning and management. In this paper, Nachole and Niamotpur Upazilas were considered as the study area to identify and quantify environmental degradation using an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technique. The results of the study reveal that the area is one of the most vulnerable areas in terms of land degradation that already affected local agriculture, biodiversity, water supply and overall socio-economic livelihoods. From the modelling results, about 66,301 hectares (90%) of land are vulnerable to land degradation, of which 24,736, 40,309 and 256 hectares of land were classified as severely, highly, and moderately vulnerable areas respectively. The overall image classification accuracy for all the resultant images was 95.40% while kappa coefficient was 0.94.

Preferred Delivery Method and Acceptability of Wheat-Soy Blend (WSB++) as a Daily Complementary Food Supplement in Northwest Bangladesh

Fortified blended foods (FBFs) are widely used to prevent undernutrition in early childhood in food-insecure settings. We field tested enhanced Wheat Soy Blend (WSB++)—a FBF fortified with micronutrients, milk powder, sugar, and oil—in preparation for a complementary food supplement (CFS) trial in rural northwestern Bangladesh. Formative work was conducted to determine the optimal delivery method (cooked vs. not) for this CFS, to examine mothers’ child feeding practices with and acceptance of the WSB++, and to identify potential barriers to adherence. Our results suggest WSB++ is an acceptable CFS in rural Bangladesh and the requirement for mothers to cook WSB++ at home is unlikely to be a barrier to its daily use as a CFS in this population.

Aflatoxin exposure during the first 1000 days of life in rural South Asia assessed by aflatoxin B1-lysine albumin biomarkers

Aflatoxin B1 is a potent carcinogen, occurring from mold growth that contaminates staple grains in hot, humid environments. In this investigation, aflatoxin B1-lysine albumin biomarkers were measured by mass spectrometry in rural South Asian women, during the first and third trimester of pregnancy, and their children at birth and at two years of age. These subjects participated in randomized community trials of antenatal micronutrient supplementation in Sarlahi District, southern Nepal and Gaibandha District in northwestern Bangladesh. Findings from the Nepal samples demonstrated exposure to aflatoxin, with 94% detectable samples ranging from 0.45 to 2939.30 pg aflatoxin B1-lysine/mg albumin during pregnancy. In the Bangladesh samples the range was 1.56 to 63.22 pg aflatoxin B1-lysine/mg albumin in the first trimester, 3.37 to 72.8 pg aflatoxin B1-lysine/mg albumin in the third trimester, 4.62 to 76.69 pg aflatoxin B1-lysine/mg albumin at birth and 3.88 to 81.44 pg aflatoxin B1-lysine/mg albumin at age two years. Aflatoxin B1-lysine adducts in cord blood samples demonstrated that the fetus had the capacity to convert aflatoxin into toxicologically active compounds and the detection in the same 2-year-old children illustrates exposure over the first 1000 days of life.

Dynamics of Japanese encephalitis virus transmission among pigs in Northwest Bangladesh and the potential impact of pig vaccination.

BackgroundJapanese encephalitis (JE) virus infection can cause severe disease in humans, resulting in death or permanent neurologic deficits among survivors. Studies indicate that the incidence of JE is high in northwestern Bangladesh. Pigs are amplifying hosts for JE virus (JEV) and a potentially important source of virus in the environment. The objectives of this study were to describe the transmission dynamics of JEV among pigs in northwestern Bangladesh and estimate the potential impact of vaccination to reduce incidence among pigs.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe conducted a comprehensive census of pigs in three JE endemic districts and tested a sample of them for evidence of previous JEV infection. We built a compartmental model to describe JEV transmission dynamics in this region and to estimate the potential impact of pig vaccination. We identified 11,364 pigs in the study area. Previous JEV infection was identified in 30% of pigs with no spatial differences in the proportion of pigs that were seropositive across the study area. We estimated that JEV infects 20% of susceptible pigs each year and the basic reproductive number among pigs was 1.2. The model suggest that vaccinating 50% of pigs each year resulted in an estimated 82% reduction in annual incidence in pigs.Conclusions/SignificanceThe widespread distribution of historic JEV infection in pigs suggests they may play an important role in virus transmission in this area. Future studies are required to understand the contribution of pig infections to JE risk in humans and the potential impact of pig vaccination on human disease.

Assessing groundwater stoichiometric composition and its suitability in Northwestern Bangladesh

Groundwater quality analyses included pH, EC, cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe3+ and As3+), anions (CO32-, HCO3-, NO3-, SO42-, PO43- and Cl-) and TDS of northwestern Bangladesh. The samples contained Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ as the dominant cations and HCO3- and Cl- were the dominant anions. Ratios of major cations and anions of water samples suggest the predominance of Ca and Mg-containing minerals over Na-containing minerals. According to TDS and SAR values, all samples were classed as 'freshwater' and 'excellent' categories. The SSP of all waters was under 'excellent' and 'good' classes. All samples were within 'soft' class regarding hardness with 'suitable' RSC. Based on As3+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, SO42-, NO3- and Cl- all groundwater samples were within the 'safe' limit for drinking but unsuitable for some industries for specific ions.

Water productivity for living aquatic resources in floodplains of Northwestern Bangladesh

Water productivity for living aquatic resources in floodplains of Northwestern Bangladesh

Reconnaissance on the suitability of the available water resources for irrigation in Thakurgaon District of northwestern Bangladesh

Reconnaissance on the suitability of the available groundwater resources for irrigation in Thakurgaon District of northwestern Bangladesh was done by determining pH, TDS, EC, hardness, alkalinity, major cations and anions. The pH values suggest that the water is slightly acidic to strongly basic. The dominant cation and anion in the study area are Ca2+, Mg2+ and HCO3−, respectively. Calcium bicarbonate, calcium–magnesium–bicarbonate and calcium carbonate are the dominant hydrochemical facies among the water samples. The groundwater system in the study area may be recharged through infiltration of rain. The above statement is further supported by Gibbs plot where most of the samples fall within the rock-dominance zone. The evolution of these waters may be controlled by precipitation and dissolution of carbonate minerals. The USSL, SAR–EC classification schemes and Wilcox plot confirm that the groundwater samples are good to excellent as irrigation water. However, the groundwater evolution in this study is mainly the result of weathering of carbonate minerals and cation exchange within the aquifer materials, confirming the shallow porous groundwater hydrochemistry characteristics.

Biometrics of the rare fish Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822) (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) in the Ganges, Northwestern Bangladesh

Objective: To investigate biometrics of the Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822) (R. corsula), including length-weight relationships (LWRs), condition factors (Allometric, KA; Fulton’s, KF; Relative, KR; Relative weight, WR), and sex ratio and length-frequency distributions in the Ganges (Padma River), Northwestern Bangladesh. Methods: Monthly sampling was conducted using traditional fishing gears during June to August 2012. Total length was measured to the nearest 0.01 cm using digital slide calipers, and total body weight was measured using an electronic balance with 0.01 g accuracy. The LWR was calculated using the expression: W= a伊L b

Impact of climate change on rainfall in Northwestern Bangladesh using multi‐GCM ensembles

ABSTRACTTeesta River basin, located in the northwest of Bangladesh, is more vulnerable to floods if compared to other parts of the country. In this context, daily rainfall data of ten raingauge stations located in the catchment of the Jamuneswari River, part of the Teesta River basin, were analysed to study the impact of climate change on rainfall. Length of wet and dry series and mean monthly rainfalls along with their variances were used for validating Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator (LARS‐WG). The analysis was carried out for A1B, A2 and B1 emission scenarios using 15 Global Climate Models GCMs simulations for the periods 2011–2030 centred at 2020, 2046–2065 centred at 2055 and 2080–2099 centred at 2090. The analysis of the data shows that the uncertainty in the prediction increases with the timescale. It was also found that the variability in the predictions is smaller in annual values followed by seasonal. Ensemble of seasonal analysis shows that most of the GCM are in agreement for changes in monsoon season. The LARS‐WG has reasonable skill to downscale the point rainfall data and the results obtained so are useful to analyse the impact of climate change on the hydrology of the basin.

Length-weight and length-length relationships and form factor of three threatened fishes from the Ganges River (NW Bangladesh)

Summary Data and information are needed to avert the alarming decline and initiate conservation measures for three threatened fishes, Labeo boga (Hamilton, 1822), Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822) and Puntius ticto (Hamilton, 1822), from the Ganges River and surrounding ecosystems. These fishes are decreasing rapidly due to high fishing pressures as well as environmental degradation. This study furnishes the length–weight relationships (LWRs), length–length relationships (LLRs) and form factor (a3.0) of these three threatened species from the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh. A total of 773 specimens from the three species and two families used for this study were caught by traditional fishing gear between April 2011 and March 2012. The analysis of covariance (ancova) revealed significant differences between the sexes in LWRs for L. boga (P 0.05). Furthermore, the LLRs were highly correlated (r2 > 0.983; P 0.05). The calculated form factor (a3.0) was 0.0111, 0.0159 and 0.0129 for L. boga, N. nandus and P. ticto, respectively. This study presents the first references on LWRs, LLRs and form factor for these three threatened species in Bangladesh. The results would be useful for further studies on the population assessment and sustainable conservation of the limited stocks in the Ganges River ecosystem.

Fresh Fish Marketing Status in the Northwestern Bangladesh: Recommendations for Sustainable Management

The present study was conducted in six fish markets of Rajshahi city during July 2011 to June 2012. The main objectives of this study was to investigate the marketing channel, marketing cost, marketing margin and the problems associated with fresh fish marketing in Rajshahi city in order to provide recommendations for better fish marketing system. Primary data were collected from 50 fish traders and 150 consumers through previously prepared questionnaires and the secondary source of information consist of published materials such as journals, textbooks, newspaper etc. The results of this study revealed 10 fish marketing channels in fresh fish marketing. The highest and lowest average fish price were recorded as USD 5.99/kg and USD 1.89/kg for cat fish and snake heads respectively. Average marketing cost was found as 6.27% of the final retail price. The market margins for all intermediaries varied from 23.37% for cat fish to 48.57% for prawn species with an average of 40.75%. In contrast, producers’ or fishermen’s share ranged from 51.43% for prawn species to 76.63% for cat fish with an average of 59.25%. The major problems associated with the fish marketing were- presence of long fish marketing channels, involvement of unnecessary middlemen, inadequate and unplanned infrastructural development, rough and unhygienic method of handling, improper and insufficient use of ice, contamination and lack of knowledge on quality aspects among fish traders, insufficient hygienic auction and retail spaces, absence of cold storage facility, inadequate drainage facilities and lack of modern weighing system. Introducing government fish shops, planned infrastructural development of fish markets, introduction of wholesaling and retailing facilities, provision for government and private funding assistance for fish traders, hygienic conditions of landing centers and markets, training and extension works in marketing and management of relevant market research, formation of fishermen or fish producers’ cooperative society, sufficient auction and retail places, improved sanitation and drainage system, digital weighing system, government run fish transportation system with proper storage facilities are recommended for more efficient fresh fish marketing system in Rajshahi city.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v10i1.7773

Plasma zinc, vitamin B(12) and α-tocopherol are positively and plasma γ-tocopherol is negatively associated with Hb concentration in early pregnancy in north-west Bangladesh.

The objective of the current analysis was to explore the association of multiple micronutrients with Hb concentration among pregnant women in a South Asian setting, a topic that has not been adequately explored. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and micronutrient status (plasma ferritin, transferrin receptor, retinol, a- and g-tocopherol, folate, vitamin B12, Zn) and Hb concentration were assessed at early pregnancy. The biochemical sub-study was nested within a double-blind, placebo-controlled, community-based vitamin A and b-carotene supplementation trial in rural north-western Bangladesh (JiVitA). All assessments were conducted before trial supplementation was initiated. A systematic sample of 285 women was selected from those enrolled in the biochemical sub-study. Seventeen per cent of women were mildly anaemic; moderate and severe anaemia was uncommon (2.1 %). a-Tocopherol, vitamin B12 and Zn deficiencies were common (43.5%, 19.7% and 14.7%, respectively); however, vitamin A, folate and Fe deficiencies were comparatively rare (7.4%, 2.8% and ,1%,respectively). Plasma Zn, vitamin B12 and a-tocopherol were positively associated and plasma g-tocopherol was negatively associated with Hb (P < 0.05) after adjustment for gestational age, inflammation status, season and nutritional status measured by mid-upper arm circumference. Among pregnant women in rural Bangladesh with minimal Fe deficiency, plasma Zn, vitamin B12, and a- and g-tocopherol concentrations were associated with Hb concentration. Appreciating the influence on Hb of micronutrients in addition to those with known associations with anaemia, such as Fe, folate, and vitamin A, is important when addressing anaemia in similar settings.

Volumetric Estimation of Coal Resources in Seam VI for Require Backfill Materials of Barapukuria Coal Mine, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Through the distinguish software application along with formal calculation method the study represents a volumetric estimation of require backfill Materials of Barapukuria coal mine in north western Bangladesh, the only coal mine of the country under production, which capable of a low recovery with sustaining mining method. The only productive coal seam of the mine, Seam VI is our main focus during the assessment. Different estimation method is applied to investigate the accuracy of calculation and find out the reasons beyond the deflections. Surfer 8.4 exploits two method of interpolation, inverse distance to power, a weighted average interpolator and Kriging, more flexible gridding method, those yields the volume of 169221180.5 cubic meters and 165323770.4 cubic meters respectively. On the contrary Rockworks is estimated the volume through Delaunay Triangulation method as 115,959,398.4 cubic meters whether another estimation which is made by inverse power weighting interpolation on saved stratigraphic model, gives 174,281,203 cubic meters volume, following 185,760,000 cubic meters through geological reserve calculation. After considering the interpolation approach, available data and previous study agreement, the result of inverse distance to power, at both of software’s is consider for backfill materials volume estimation. The required volume of backfill materials is 101532708.3 m3 and for 9% and 10% recovery that’s are 9137943.747 m3 and 10153270.83 m3 respectively. The daily requirement of backfill is 562 - 636 m3 and the system need to have a daily capacity of 702 – 795 m3.

Length–length and length-weight relationships of critically endangered striped cat fish Rita rita (Hamilton) from the Padda River near Rajshahi of Northwestern Bangladesh

The present study describes the length-length (LLR) relationships for critically endangered catfish Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822) from the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh. A total of 379 specimens used for this study were caught by traditional fishing gear from January to December 2011. Total length (TL), standard length (SL), fork length (FL), snout length (SnL), head length (HL), pre-dorsal length (PrDL), post-dorsal length (PoDL), Anal length (AnaL) and Anus length (AnsL) were measured and relationships were calculated by linear regressions. Parameters a and b of the weight-length relationship were estimated by least squares regression analysis. Most LLRs relationships were highly significant with 'r 2 ' values greater than 0.845. Exceptions were found incase of TL-HL relationship of female(r 2 =0.756); TL-SnL relationships of male(r 2 =0.701) and combined sexes(r 2 =0.656), TL-PrDL relationship for combined sexes(r 2 =0.692) and TL- AnsL relationship for female(r 2 =0.722) and combined sexes(r 2 =0.695). TL-BW relationships were highly significant with 'r 2 ' values greater than 0.845 for male, female and combined sexes. The calculated allometric coefficient ranged from 0.914 to 1.159(b<3), so the fish showed negative allometric pattern of growth. To the best knowledge of the authors, this study presented the first reference on LLRs for these species from Bangladeshi waters. Keyword: Ritha, Padma river, riverine catfish, LLRs, LWRs and morphometric characteristics