Production In Bangladesh Research Articles

How Do Greenhouse Gases and Other Factors Affect Rice Production in Bangladesh? An Insight from Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach

Purpose: The study aims to elucidate the impact of greenhouse gases and other factors on rice production in Bangladesh. By considering the influences of greenhouse gases, technological factors, and industrial activities, the research unveils significant insights into the long-term and short-term effects on rice production. Methodology: This research employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to investigate the impact of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, agricultural land, agriculture as percentage share of GDP, and industry on rice production in Bangladesh through EViews-12 Software. Findings: Our findings suggest that CO2 emissions, industrial and agricultural share as percentage of GDP exhibit a negative impact, decreasing rice production, while N2O and agricultural land have a notable positive effect. Technical factors such as the area under rice cultivation, agriculture and industry are identified as pivotal contributors to rice production. Practical Implications: Finally, the study concludes with policy implications and recommendations based on our findings for sustainable agricultural practices, technological advancements, and policy interventions tailored to enhance rice production and secure food sustainability in the unique agricultural landscape of Bangladesh. Originality/Value: As per as our knowledge, no research has been carried out in Bangladesh to investigate the impact of greenhouse gases and selected factors on rice production. Research Limitations: Due to difficulties in data collection procedure, we could not include all variables of greenhouse gases. We expect in future, there will be more data sources which would help many researchers to contribute to rice production related researches.

Identification of the Most Common Antibiotics Used for Broiler Chicken Production in Bangladesh

The use of antibiotics indiscriminately in broiler without any veterinary consultation added in feed and water in sub-therapeutic doses for prophylaxis and growth promotion has increased antibiotic resistant bacteria transmitting to human. The aim of the study was to identify the most common antibiotic used by the broiler in Bangladesh. In this survey engaged 208 Upazila Livestock Offices (ULO) for interviewing 385 broiler farmers and veterinary medicine sales representative in all 8 divisions. Use of antimicrobial drugs for broiler production in different farm, medicine and feed used in the current flock were targeted to identify. Factor analysis was used to select respondents’ knowledge variables and multinomial logistic regression was followed to determine factors associated with antibiotic used in broiler production. According to opinion of 208 Upazila Livestock officers, interview with farmer and veterinary medicine sales representative, everyone agreed the most of the farmers use antimicrobials for broiler production. The most common antibiotics were Amoxcillin (182/208), Ciprofloxacin (179/208), Colistin sulphate (167/208), oxytetracyclin (165/208), Enrofloxacin (146/208), Erythromycin (133/208), sulfaquinoxaline (46/208), followed by Gentamycin, Norfloxacin, Tiamulin, Tilmicosin, Toltrazuril, Doxicycline, flumequine, Neomycin, Tylosin, lincomycin, Flavomycin, Florfenicol and Clortetracycline. Under above circumstances large-scale use of antimicrobials had led to its resistance and residues in broiler chicken meat and liver which can lead to public health problems. The major broiler farm used antibiotics (amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin) and they did not follow withdrawal period. Although national regulations is in favor of control use of antibiotics, but were not well enforced.

Stock status and spawning potential ratio of orange mud crab (Scylla olivacea, Herbst 1796) in the southwestern coastal waters of Bangladesh

Scylla olivacea (Orange mud crab) is a second commercial invertebrate species exported from Bangladesh. Though a significant portion of exports are supported by aquaculture, their farming ultimately depends on their wild stocks. Unfortunately, unregulated exploitation has led to a significant decline in the natural biomass of this species, raising concerns about the sustainability of crab production in Bangladesh. The study aimed to assess the stock status of S. olivacea (Orange mud crab) from the Southwestern coastal water of Bangladesh. One-year length frequency (width frequency-WF for crustacean fishery) data were collected and analyzed using the LBB (Length-based Bayesian Biomass) and LB-SPR (Length-based spawning potential ratio) methods. The assessed width parameter depicted the exploitation of small-size individuals (Wc=< Wc_opt) of S. olivacea. The estimated B/B0 (0.25) suggests that 75 % of the wild stock had already been harvested, and biomass cannot produce MSY. The mean estimates for SW50 % and SW95 % were 8.29 cm and 12.76 cm respectively, revealing the use of a small mesh-size net for crab harvesting. The assessed Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) was 12 % which is below the SPR limit reference point (SRP) of 20 %. This research confirmed the overfished (F/M = 1.4) and overexploited (E = 0.58) status of S. olivacea in Bangladesh. To ensure the sustainability of coastal fisheries in Bangladesh, the authorities must take immediate management measures to control the overexploitation of this species.

Farmers’ Perception and Financial Profitability of Mustard Production in Bangladesh

The study was undertaken to assess farmers’ perception and explore the factors affecting farmers’ decision to adopt mustard production along with estimate financial profitability and identify potentials and problems of mustard production. Based on stratified random sampling, 120 farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from different villages of Ullahpara upazila under Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. A combination of descriptive statistics, mathematical and statistical technique was used to analyze the data and to achieve the objectives. The study depicts that the highest number of the respondents (35%) belong to the 31-45 age group. Seventy two percent respondents were small farmers having land less than 1.0 hectare and they allocated 34% of their farm area for mustard production. Financial profitability analysis shows that mustard production was profitable on both variable cost and total cost basis and its benefit cost ratio (BCR) was more than one. In case of farmers perception, it was revealed that short duration crop, consumers’ preferences, product price, extension services and sharing of work among household members were the main driving factors for mustard production. Applying dichotomous logistic regression model, four factors namely, farmers’ age, number of family members, experience and farm size were found as significant determinants of adoption of mustard production. Large domestic market, limited use of high-yielding varieties, growing demand for mustard oil and attack of pests and diseases were found as important strength, weakness, opportunities and threats of mustard production, respectively. Finally, the study recommends that there are ample opportunities to enhance mustard production by ensuring access to quality seeds, adopting new technologies, securing fair prices, providing input subsidies, and improving institutional credit facilities with favorable terms and conditions. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 38(1): 65-80, 2024

Advancements in fuzzy expert systems for site-specific nitrogen fertilisation: Incorporating RGB colour codes and irrigation schedules for precision maize production in Bangladesh

Advancements in fuzzy expert systems for site-specific nitrogen fertilisation: Incorporating RGB colour codes and irrigation schedules for precision maize production in Bangladesh

Socio-Economic Status of Buffalo Farmers and Management Practices of Buffaloes at Shahjadpur Milk Pocket Area in Bangladesh

Buffalo is the most neglected species of large ruminant, despite contributing to safe and sustainable milk and meat production in Bangladesh. A survey was conducted at five unions of Shahjadpur upazilla under Sirajganj district which is called the milk pocket area in Bangladesh. The objective of the survey was to find out the socio-economic condition of buffalo farmers in these areas. Prior to conducting the survey work from February to June 2024, a questionnaire was designed and pre-tested. SPSS software was used to statistically analyse the collected data. The results revealed that the majority (84%) of buffalo farmers were male and mostly (72%) practised by middle-aged (30-45 years). The education level of farmers had no schooling (12%), primary (50%), secondary (22%), higher secondary (16%) and graduation (0%), respectively. In the survey area, a majority (76%) of the farmers reared young male (1.5 to 2 years) buffalo for fattening. Additionally, 72% of farmers raised buffaloes with intensive systems and the remaining 28% with semi-intensive. The involvement of respondents in farming, business and others were 84, 8% and 8% respectively. Most (60%) of the farmers dewormed their buffalo regularly but only 28% practised regular vaccination. The main factors limiting buffalo production in the study locations were the high price of concentrate feed (88%), lack of pond for wallowing (70%), lack of improved dairy buffalo breeds (60%), lack of green fodder (30%), unavailability of bank loan (18%) and training facility (24%). The net income from fattening one buffalo per half yearly was BDT 26713. It indicates that rearing buffaloes for fattening purposes in the selected areas was profitable.

Valorization of food waste into hydrogen energy through supercritical water gasification: Generation potential and techno-econo-environmental feasibility assessment

Food waste (FW) is a significant portion of the solid waste produced by cities, and it has become a global problem due to the poor management of food distribution and consumption. The improper disposal of FW in landfills precipitates pervasive global environmental predicamentsHowever, effective management strategies have the potential to convert this large amount of garbage into a very effective renewable energy source, particularly through the generation of environmentally friendly hydrogen. This study examines the capacity for energy generation and the practicality of hydrogen production in Bangladesh using supercritical water gasification technology. The findings indicate that approximately 489 MW of electricity can be extracted from approximately 23 million tons (Mt) of FW in 2023, with a projected escalation to around 2042 MW by 2042, coinciding with an anticipated surge in FW generation to approximately 110 Mt. Moreover, the study delves into the economic feasibility of these gasification endeavors, employing diverse metrics encompassing total life cycle cost, net present value, investment payback duration, levelized cost of energy, and internal rate of return. Technoeconomic analyses divulge an investment with a net present value of 11,669.4 M$M$, an 11-year payback period, and an internal rate of return of 14 %. In addition, the research assesses the technological, economic, and environmental viability inherent in the establishment of gasification-based electricity-generating facilities in Bangladesh's preeminent eight cities by 2023. This examination postulates that a transition from coal-based power plants to those powered by food waste would precipitate an annual reduction of 3.59 Mt in carbon dioxide emissions.

Sustainable practices for cotton production in Bangladesh: economic and environmental perspectives

Cotton is a major cash crop in the agriculture of Bangladesh, primarily fueling its substantial textile industry. Although local production is limited, cotton has the potential to bolster the country’s economic growth by supporting local economies and improving agricultural sustainability. An in-depth sustainability assessment of this integral crop is essential to ensure its long-term economic and environmental viability. This study aims to evaluate the sustainability of cotton production in Bangladesh and suggest strategic enhancements and policy measures to improve its environmental, economic, and social aspects. Data were collected from 60 farmers in two villages of Jashore district using a simple random sampling technique. A combination of descriptive, mathematical and statistical techniques was used to analyze the data. The findings highlighted a profitable benefit–cost ratio of 1.88 for cotton production. Positive impacts on cotton profitability were notably linked to the costs of labor, land preparation, and insecticides and pesticides. Despite this, 60% of farmers faced substantial challenges, including financial barriers, limited access to modern agricultural technologies, and a lack of training in sustainable practices. Economic constraints were a major barrier, although the environmental benefits of sustainable practices were widely acknowledged. To address these issues, the study recommends optimizing inputs like labor, land preparation, and pest management, and advocates for policy actions such as subsidies, tax incentives, and enhanced training programs to support the widespread adoption of sustainable practices across Bangladesh.

Desirability of Sukuk as a New Investment Avenue: An Exploratory Study in Bangladesh

Sukuk can be a worthwhile device for meeting demand of those willing to invest in Shariah-compliant avenues of investment, which has been largely catered by Islamic banking products in Bangladesh. Using survey data collected from existing market investors, this study aims to explore the factors contributing to their choice of investment in sukuk. The risk-return preference of the investors is crucial for structuring the sukuk for issuance. Major factors contributing to the investment decision of the sukuk of surveyed participants also include confirmation of the use of proceed of the project in a Shariah-compliant way, risk-adjusted return, timely payment of the expected cash flows, tradability in the secondary market, awareness regarding the expertise, and independence of the Shariah advisors in the Shariah supervisory board (SSB). To facilitate the new instrument and utilize it for the development of the country, especially for the infrastructural development and green projects, government and other policymakers can contemplate offering government guarantee as well as tax exemptions demanded by the respondents of this study. The respondents expressed aversion to longer-term investment opportunities; rather sukuk maturity of up to five years was found desirable. Apprehension for upholding a distinct special purpose vehicle (SPV) and trustee for sukuk was revealed in the study. Although sufficient care was taken in selecting the sample, the limitation of the study is that it may not be deemed conclusive due to the lower sample size. A larger scale study may be conducted to reckon the insight of more potential investors in the market.

The Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities on Cropland Net Primary Productivity in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar

The Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities on Cropland Net Primary Productivity in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar

Innovative Approaches to Enhance Sericulture: Integrating Drone Technology and Artificial Intelligence for Precision Cultivation of Mulberry Fields in Bangladesh

Silk production in Bangladesh’s rural economy, which is the practice of raising silkworms, has long been an essential part of the country’s rural economy and this has contributed a lot to the national economy as well as improved people’s lives. Traditional sericulture however faces problems such as pest infestations, inconsistent yields of mulberry leaves, wasteful use of resources and effects of climatic change despite the country having favorable climate that supports silk farming and availability of a skilled labor force. These challenges can be addressed through recent technological innovations including artificial intelligence technology and drone surveillance for instance. Drones fitted with cameras combined with GPS have ability to control fully grown mulberry farms whereas artificial intelligence system analyze data on optimal resource management in terms of pests’ control among others. The objective is to establish how drones and AI can affect Bangladeshi sericulture farming field primarily in Jessore and Rajshahi – two most important sericulture areas in the country. For two crop cycles namely July-October 2022 and March-June 2023, research used drones along with TensorFlow for AI integration where it recorded aspects such as leaf yield, pest loads, input application rates among others. Technologies integrations had resulted to increased mulberry leaf yield by approximately 18% from 2500Kg/ha to 2950Kg/ha.

Impact of Harvesting Time on Grain Yield, Physicochemical Attributes, and 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline Biosynthesis in Aromatic Rice

Achieving a consistent grain yield while preserving persistent aroma remains a substantial challenge in aromatic rice production in Bangladesh. To address this challenge, a field experiment was conducted at the agronomy research area of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, between 15 June 2022, and 25 November 2022 (Aman season). This study aimed to evaluate the influence of harvesting time on aromatic rice performance. The experiment, following a randomized complete block design with three replications, involved two factors: factor 1 comprised various rice varieties [Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) dhan34, BRRI dhan70, BRRI dhan80, and Tulshimala], and factor 2 comprised three harvesting times [3, 4, and 5 weeks after flowering (WAF)]. Results revealed significant impacts of variety and/or harvesting time on grain yield, physicochemical characteristics, and aroma of aromatic rice. Notably, Tulshimala and BRRI dhan80 exhibited superior milling quality, biochemical properties, and aroma characteristics among the aromatic rice types. BRRI dhan70 and BRRI dhan80 displayed higher grain yield when harvested at 5 WAF. However, Tulshimala and BRRI dhan80 showed superiority in grain 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) concentration when harvested 3 or 4 WAF. Earlier harvesting at 3 and 4 WAF resulted in higher percentages of grain 2-AP (60.22% and 53.96%, respectively) compared with later harvesting at 5 WAF (used as check). In conclusion, varying harvesting times markedly impact the yield, physiochemical characteristics, and aroma of aromatic rice varieties, with earlier harvesting beneficial for aroma retention in Tulshimala and BRRI Dhan80 and later harvesting for increased economic yield in BRRI dhan70 and BRRI dhan80.

Assessment of carbon footprint of potable water production: A case from Bangladesh

Carbon footprint (CF), a measure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is currently a global concern because of its significant effects on climate change. Understanding GHG emissions from potable water production is important because water treatment and distribution consume much energy while emitting a significant amount of GHG. With economic and population growth, water demand has increased, resulting in higher GHG emissions. This study aims to assess the CF of potable water production in Bangladesh, focusing on the country’s economic capital, Chattogram. This study estimates and compares the CF of the treatment, distribution, and consumption phases. It also estimates the CF of different water treatment plants (WTPs) during the treatment phase. WTPs use electricity for a full-scale operation, during which approximately 4.5 million m3 of raw water of varying turbidity is treated. This study calculates a country-specific GHG emission factor for Bangladesh’s electricity generation method as different sources produce different quantities of GHGs. This study also considers the energy consumed to distribute water from the WTPs to household rooftop tanks in the distribution phase. For the consumption phase, the study considers the energy consumption for domestic water treatment, which involves boiling of a portion of treated water for drinking purposes. The study estimates that approximately 0.18, 0.27, and 17.52 kg CO2 equivalent (CO2-eq) are emitted in the treatment, distribution, and consumption phases, respectively, for the production of 1 m3 of water. Boiling at the consumption phase alone generates 97.48% of the total CF. The daily CFs for surface water and groundwater use in 2017 were 16,387.78 and 34,092.08 kg CO2-eq, respectively; those in 2022 were 83,769.25 and 2130.97 kg CO2-eq, respectively. The outcome of this study will assist stakeholders and policymakers in the progress of SDG-13 and in effective planning and operational decision making for sustainable water systems.

Determinants of Green Product Buying Intention: A Developing Country Case Study

People are now concerned more about environmental issues and desire to buy eco-friendly products. As awareness of green products has expanded, a growing focus has been on green product consumption. Therefore, this study aims to determine the factors influencing consumer buying intention towards green products in Bangladesh. In this regard, we developed a research model with the concepts of environmental awareness, green product awareness, green product price, green promotion, and health concerns. We collected empirical data through an online survey of 313 respondents interested in green product consumption. The suggested relationships in the proposed model were examined using the structural equation model. The data was analyzed using SPSS 25.00 and Smart PLS 3.0. The results of this study show that environmental awareness, green product awareness, and health concerns significantly influence the attitude towards green products, which, in turn, influences green product buying intention. The findings also indicate that health concern is the most significant factor in predicting users' attitudes towards green products. The findings suggest that this comprehensive model can improve green product purchase intention, boost sales, and influence this area favourably.

Spatial Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Eutrophication Potential from Livestock Manure in Bangladesh

Large amounts of livestock manure production in Bangladesh have created a challenge to the environment by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eutrophication potential (EP) risk. Though some studies have identified the impact of manure on emissions, the consequences of manure exploitation on water bodies are very rare. This study investigated the effects of livestock manure on both air and water environments in the regional context of Bangladesh. Mathematical equations were used to assess manure generation, GHG emissions, manure leach-out amount, EP, and geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis tools were applied to visualize the outcomes of the research. Between 1990 and 2020, the GHG emissions increased from 7451.26 to 13,244.45 kilotons CO2eq, and the amount of manure leach-out to water also increased from 236.49 to 493.75 kilotons over these 30 years of time. In 2023, the study demonstrated that approximately 216.97 million tons of livestock manure were produced in Bangladesh, which accounted for a total GHG emission of 16.61 million tons CO2eq, and about 62.19 million tons of manure leached out to water, which has a total EP of 295.22 kg N-eq/ha/year. This study offers regional pattern emission intensity and eutrophication-susceptible area maps, which indicate the stimulus of livestock manure across Bangladesh. A long-term impact study, distinctive map formation, and eutrophication susceptibility analysis will be helpful for implementing specific policies and strategies to improve the environment of the livestock sector in Bangladesh.

Pyramiding of bacterial blight resistance genes into promising restorer BRRI31R line through marker-assisted backcross breeding and evaluation of agro-morphological and physiochemical characteristics of developed resistant restorer lines.

BRRI31R is one of the Bangladesh's most promising restorer lines due to its abundant pollen producing capacity, strong restoring ability, good combining ability, high outcrossing rate and genetically diverse from cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) line. But the drawback of this line is that it is highly susceptible to bacterial blight (BB) disease of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The present study highlighted the pyramiding of effective BB resistance genes (xa5, xa13 and Xa21) into the background of BRRI31R, through marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC). Backcross progenies were confirmed and advanced based on the foreground selection of target genes. Pyramided lines were used for pathogenicity test against five Bangladeshi Xanthomonas oryzae (BXo) races (BXo93, BXo220, BXo822, BXo826, BXo887) and confirmed the dominant fertility restore genes, Rf3 and Rf4 and further validated against SNP markers for more confirmation of target resistance genes. All pyramided restorer lines consisted of Xa4 (in built), xa5, xa13, Xa21, and Chalk5 with two fertility restorer genes, Rf3, Rf4. and these restorer lines showed intermediate amylose content (<25%). Restorer lines BRRI31R-MASP3 and BRRI31R-MASP4 showed high levels of resistance against five virulent BXo races and SNP genotyping revealed that these lines also contained a blast resistance gene Pita races. Gene pyramided restorer lines, BRRI31R-MASP3 and BRRI31R-MASP4 can directly be used as a male parent for the development of new BB resistant hybrid rice variety or could be used as a replacement of restorer line of BRRI hybrid dhan5 and 7 to enhance the quality of hybrid seeds as well as rice production in Bangladesh.

Land Tenure Policies and Property Rights Affecting Livestock Production in Bangladesh

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate land tenure policies and property rights affecting livestock production in Bangladesh. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed a significant influence of secure land tenure on livestock productivity, investment decisions, and sustainability. Secure property rights are consistently associated with higher levels of livestock productivity, increased investment in animal husbandry practices, and improved land management strategies among rural households. Moreover, tenure security facilitates long-term investments in livestock genetic improvement programs, leading to higher milk yields and improved household incomes among dairy farmers. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Institutional Theory &amp; Property Rights Theory may be used to anchor future studies on land tenure policies and property rights affecting livestock production in Bangladesh. Promote community-based natural resource management approaches that recognize customary land tenure systems. Empowering local communities to manage their grazing lands can enhance ecological sustainability, reduce conflicts, and improve livelihoods among pastoralist groups. Advocate for the legal recognition of customary land rights and indigenous knowledge systems in national land tenure policies. Acknowledging traditional tenure arrangements can strengthen tenure security, promote social equity, and enhance the resilience of livestock production systems.

Illuminating the path to sustainable rice harvesting: A solar-based paddy harvester

Paddy is the most important agricultural crop product in Bangladesh since it is widely used in daily life as a main meal intake. Currently, traditional manual harvesting process is widely used to harvest paddy grains in Bangladesh. However, manual harvesting is laborious, time-consuming, and costly. Utilization of modern machineries such as combined paddy harvester machines can increase grain productivity while reducing significantly the number of labour-hours. Combine rice harvesters possess traditional diesel engine that burns gasoline fuels i.e. diesel. The overriding concern of this diesel oil combustion is the production of greenhouse gases that adversely affect the environment. In addition, reports suggest that oil reserve might be depleted to zero in next 40 years. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review on the paddy grain production statistics, the pros and cons of traditional rice crop harvesting processes, and the historical development of mechanization in the agricultural sectors of Bangladesh. It also presents a novel design route to convert commercial diesel-driven combine paddy harvester machine to solar energy-operated combine rice harvester machine with its required accessories. In particular, a new design concept with a remarkable cost estimation process of solar-powered harvesters is proposed. A field study has been conducted in Sonagazi Upazilla under Feni district of Bangladesh to evaluate the potential use of the proposed solar-powered harvester machine. Our study suggests that solar-driven rice harvester is a promising concept in the paddy crop harvesting process and it will reduce the overall costs for short and long-term uses compared to estimated costs of commercial diesel-driven harvesters. To combat the scarcity of gasoline in the future, it is an obvious choice to bring a paradigm shift in solar energy harvesting and its utilization in the agricultural sectors of Bangladesh. It is expected that the proposed solar-driven rice harvester concepts with their in-depth analysis (including costs) would be able to draw attention to business entrepreneurs and investors who will be excited to initiate a program to manufacture solar-powered rice harvester machines in practice.

Comparative Performance of Different Fertilizer Recommendation Methods on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa) in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain Soils

Improving rice productivity is the challenge for the farmer due to rapid soil health deterioration in intensive agricultural system. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate comparative performance of different nutrient management practices in rice production in Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were six treatments namely, T1 (Control-no fertilizer), T2 (Farmer’s Practice), T3 (Fertilizer Recommendation Guide-2018), T4 (BAU Soil Testing Kit), T5 (Soil Test Basis) and T6 (Rice Crop Manager). The results revealed that all the treatments showed better performances over control (T1). Treatment T4 (BAU Soil Testing Kit) produced the highest value of plant height (90.18 cm), panicle length (24.90), filled grains panicle-1 (122.60) and 1000-grain weight (26.67g) while T5 (Soil Test Basis) produced maximum effective tillers hill-1 (12.80). The highest grain yield (6.29 t ha-1) and straw yield (7.73 t ha-1) were recorded in treatment T4 (BAU Soil Testing Kit). Treatment T4 (BAU Soil Testing Kit) also showed the highest grain yield increase (61.49%) and straw yield increase (90.49%) over control. The highest total N, P and K uptake (108.84 kg ha-1, 24.54 kg ha-1 and 128.17 kg ha-1) were obtained in the treatment T4 (BAU Soil Testing Kit). Control treatment T1 (No fertilizers) showed minimum performances in all the cases compared to other treatments. The overall result demonstrated that the application of fertilizers following BAU Soil Testing Kit method of fertilizer application system is a better option for rice production.

Effect of input subsidies and extension services: Evidence from rice productivity in Bangladesh

This study examines the effect of agricultural input subsidy cards and extension services on Bangladesh’s rice productivity, using plot level panel data from three waves (2011–2019) of the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey. To control for endogeneity of the two programs, instrumental variable and control function approaches are used. Findings reveal that access to input subsidy cards and extension services raise productivity in rice-planted plots by nearly 20% and 22%, respectively. Further, the channels and type of advisory services matter. Finally, access to input subsidy cards and extension services is more beneficial in areas prone to droughts and excessive rainfall. These findings underscore the value of complementary investments in robust extension systems, especially in vulnerable regions, to optimize the performance of input subsidy programs. Expanded extension services coupled with input subsidies can be an effective policy mix to raise productivity, strengthen climate resilience, and promote inclusive agricultural growth in Bangladesh.