Southwestern Region Of Bangladesh Research Articles

Performance of two egg type chicken farms maintained different bio-security levels

This study was aimed to determine the productive and economic performances of two different genotype egg producing chicken farms carried out with good, fair and poor bio-secured intervention in the south western region of Bangladesh. The world class Hisex White and Hisex Brown layer strainwas used as egg type chicken. According to obtain marks each of one hundred (total two hundred) surveyed farms were divided into good (≥ 80%), fair (61-79%) and poor (≤ 60%) bio-secured categories. Highest numbers of Hisex White (41%) farms but lowest numbers of Hisex Brown (29%) farms were reared under good biosecured condition in the study area. Under good bio-secured level Hisex White and Brown was taken highest amount of feed and produced highest number of eggs. The average egg weight and egg mass of both Hisex White and Brown was not differed significantly (P>0.05) under good, fair and poor bio-secured farms respectively. Under good bio-secured farms FCR value was better than fair and poor farms respectively. Highest percentage of survivability occurs in good and lowest in poor bio-secured condition, both white and brown layer strain. The BCR of Hisex White was found highest (1.13) under good but similar (1.12) under fair and poor bio-secured farms and did not differed significantly (P<0.01). However, the BCR of Hisex Brown was found highest value (1.17) under different bio-security level. This result revealed that the Hisex Brown was less biosecurity sensitive and highly profitable than that of Hisex White farms.

Greening Modern Rice Farming Using Vermicompost and Its Impact on Productivity and Efficiency: An Empirical Analysis from Bangladesh

Greening modern rice farming while improving productivity and reducing chemical use is a desirable goal for sustainable agriculture. This paper analyzes the impact of vermicomposting on productivity and efficiency of modern rice farming using a random sample of 340 farmers from the southwestern region of Bangladesh by applying a stochastic production frontier approach. Results reveal that productivity is significantly higher and the use of chemicals is significantly lower for vermicompost users as expected. However, profitability gain is not significantly different mainly due to the high cost of vermicompost. Use of vermicompost significantly increases productivity along with other conventional inputs and its users are relatively more technically efficient. Policy implications include investments to raise farmers’ awareness of the benefits of vermicomposting and support entrepreneurs to expand commercial production of vermicompost, which will synergistically curb the use of chemicals in modern rice farming while improving productivity and efficiency.

Molecular Detection of Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in the South-western Region of Bangladesh

Molecular Detection of Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in the South-western Region of Bangladesh

Cost-benefit Analysis of Seedling Production on Floating Beds in a Few Selected Areas of Bangladesh

The aim of this study was to calculate the cost benefit analysis and economic viability of seedling production on the floating bed at Nazirpur Upazila in Pirojpur district of Bangladesh. The study area was selected purposively and 50 households (HHs) were surveyed through purposive sampling technique from a population of 80 households. From the results of those primary data, it was found that 68% farmers were engaged in seedling production as business purpose, and 30% as both own and business, 21 vegetables and spices seedlings were cultivated in the studied area. Average per square meter cost for floating seedling cultivation found BDT (Bangladeshi taka) 281 and benefit was BDT 401. The net benefit of floating agriculture found BDT 120 and with a BCR of 1.43. Income from floating seedlings mainly utilized in winter vegetable cultivation (Kandi), mainstream agriculture, business, house development and land purchase etc. Fifty percent (50%) of the floating farmers mentioned various constraints regarding floating seedling production such as lack of government aid, higher interest from NGOs and lack of capital. Among the surveyed respondents, 64% agreed that floating cultivation is effective to combat climate change and 76% replied as beneficial to the environment. Although floating agriculture is an indigenous age-old practice in the South-western region of Bangladesh, it can be replicated with the help of subsidy and agro-technology.

Women participation in rooftop gardening in some areas of Khulna city

Khulna is the largest city corporation in the southwestern region of Bangladesh where rooftop gardening is gradually gaining popularity among the city dwellers. The main purpose of the study was to assess the extent of participation of women in rooftop gardening in Khulna city and to explore the relationship between each of the selected characteristics of women and their extent of participation in rooftop gardening. Primary data were collected from randomly selected 92 women during the period of 20 March to 10 April, 2018 at Rayermahal, Khalishpur, Daulatpur and Maheshwarpasha areas under Khulna city. Most (94.57%) of the women had medium participation, 3.26% had high participation, and 2.17% had low participation. Considering four aspects, the women had higher participation in preparatory stage (Participation Extent (PE) = 59.87%) whereas it was least in harvesting stage (PE = 34.06%). Considering the twenty issues under four aspects of rooftop gardening, the highest participation by the women was in watering the garden (PE = 88.04%) and no participation was in marketing (PE = 0%). Among ten selected characteristics level of education (P&lt;0.05), agricultural training, attitude towards rooftop gardening, and knowledge about rooftop gardening (P&lt;0.01) had significant positive relationships with participation of women in rooftop gardening. By designing women friendly extension approach for rooftop gardening barrier free participation of the city dwelling women should be fostered.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(2): 327-337, June 2019

Spatial variability and geostatistical analysis of selected soil

A study was conducted to explore the spatial variability of major soil nutrients of Agricultural fields in South-western region of Bangladesh. From the study area, 40 surface soil samples were collected by a random sampling strategy using GPS. Then soil physico-chemical properties i.e., pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN) N, soil available nutrients (P, K and S) were measured in laboratory. After data normalization, classical and geo-statistical analyses were used to describe soil properties and spatial correlation of soil characteristics. Spatial variability of soil physico-chemical properties was quantified through semi-variogram analysis and the respective surface maps were prepared through ordinary Kriging. Spherical model fits well with experimental semi-variogram of pH, EC, OM, TN, available P, K and S. Soil pH, available phosphorus (Av P), potassium (Av K) and sulfur (Av S) have the moderate spatial dependence, with nugget/sill ratios of 41.13% to 72.21%. The others have the strong dependence with nugget/sill ratios of less than 25%. The spatial variability of estimating soil properties varies within range of 0.0142 for Av P to 0.0383 for Av S and this model can calculate the un-sampled within neighboring distance of about 12.65 m for Av S to 150.82 m for TN, respectively. Cross validation of kriged map shows that spatial prediction of soil nutrients using semi-variogram parameters is better than assuming mean of observed value for any un-sampled location. Therefore, it is a suitable alternative method for accurate estimation of chemical properties of soil in un-sampled positions as compared to direct measurement which has time and costs concerned.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.54(1), 55-66, 2019

A 48–year–old female presented with severe neck pain

This article has no abstract. The first 100 words appear below:&#x0D; A 48-year-old married female got admitted on 8th September 2017 into the Boarder Guard Hospital, Pilkhana, Dhaka, Bangladesh with the complaints of severe neck pain associated with low grade backache for the last four years. This patient is hailing from Soliabazar, Jashore, Southwestern region of Bangladesh where she was treated with local doctors by cervical collar and analgesics for her neck and back pain. As the pain did not subside, so she was brought by her brother-in-law who is a BGB soldier to Boarder Guard hospital for better management.

Study on the production and profitability of BRRI dhan50 cultivation in south-western region of Bangladesh

Study on the production and profitability of BRRI dhan50 cultivation in south-western region of Bangladesh

An updated list of Odonata of southwestern Bangladesh

An odonate survey was conducted throughout the southwestern region of Bangladesh, concentrating on eight districts and the Sundarban, from August 2014 to August 2016. A total of 50 species under 30 genera belonging to six families was recorded during the study period. Among these, 31 species belonged to Anisoptera and 19 to Zygoptera suborders. Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae were the most dominant anisopteran and zygopteran families with 28 and 17 species, respectively. One Zygoptera species Mortonagrion varalli was newly added to the odonate fauna of Bangladesh. &#x0D;

Farmers’ perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost

Vermicompost is very useful manure which is becoming popular day by day. However, its perception by the farmers is not yet assessed in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. The main objectives of this study were to determine the farmers’ perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost and to explore the relationship between selected characteristics of the farmers’ and their perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost. Data were collected using an interview schedule from randomly selected 60 respondents. Locale was three villages namely Lokhpur, Bollokhpur and Vobna under Fakirhat upazila of Bagerhat district. Faceto- face interview was conducted during 7 to 29 May, 2016. Farmers’ perception regarding the beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost was measured using 5- point Likert type scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and farmers’ perception index was calculated. Majority (66.7 percent) of the respondents had moderate perception while 18.3 percent and 15 percent of them had less and high perception, respectively, on the beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost. Among seven selected characteristics of the respondents, age showed a significant negative relationship with their perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost while training experience of the respondents showed a significant positive relationship with their overall perception. Thus, arrangement of training could pave the way of high perception of beneficial effects and limitations of vermicompost.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(1): 19-25, April 2018

Effect of Fly Ash Content on the Engineering Properties of Stabilized Soil at South-western Region of Bangladesh

The main focus of this study was to investigate the effect of fly ash content on the engineering properties of stabilized soils. To these attempts, two different types of fly ash, inorganic silt and Portland cement were collected. In the laboratory, the fly ash content of 10. 20 and 30%; inorganic silt of 10, 20 and 30% as well as cement content of 10 was used to stabilize soils. Result reveals that Atterberg limit decreases in relation to the increasing of fly ash content in stabilized soil at varying mixing proportions of fly ash content in soil. The different values of compressive strength of stabilized soils obtained from fly ash of different brand cement. In addition, the stabilized soil with cement content showed the highest value of compressive strength, whereas, stabilized soil with inorganic silt provides lowest value. The result reveals that the optimum content of fly ash was 20 and 30% for elephant and seven rings cement, respectively. The soil with organic content of 16% showed highest value of compressive strength, while, soil with organic content of 12.5% showed lowest value. Furthermore, the stabilized soils with fly ash showed comparatively the higher values of compressive strength than that of stabilized soils with inorganic silt content.

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.

Studies on seafood production systems in the South-west Region of Bangladesh

The present study was conducted to understand existing production system of shrimp and prawn (seafood) with gher1 farming in the south-western region of Bangladesh from January to March 2014. Three gher farming clusters in three Upazilas of Bagerhat district were selected to carry out this study to assess the fact above using focus group discussion, key informant interview, questionnaire survey, physical observation, and literature review. The study revealed that gher farming system has changed the cropping patterns dramatically. This diversified farming system produces prawn, carp fish, boro paddy, and vegetable in the field where only single crop of paddy was cultivated. Gher dikes were used to produce vegetables, fruits and the central part for rice cultivation. Whereas the whole water body (during monsoon) and canals (during dry season) were used to culture finfish and prawn. Farmers were mainly found to use commercial feed with a rare amount of homemade feed because of the availability of commercial feed. Most of their investment goes for buying feed, PL and were found to take loan with high interest from banks or depot owners. Decreased salinity due to siltation in Mongla river resulted in increased overall production. The evidence presented in the study confirms that gher farming system impacting positively in the south-west region of Bangladesh.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 15(1): 123-132, January 2017

Impacts of Farakka barrage on hydrological flow of Ganges river and environment in Bangladesh

The Ganges river is the major source of water for dry season irrigation, navigation, fisheries and reducing salinity intrusion as well as maintaining ecosystem of south-western region in Bangladesh including Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. Farakka barrage was constructed on the main stem of Ganges river by India at 18 km upstream of India–Bangladesh border. The barrage was commissioned in 1975 to divert water for improving navigability of Kolkata port and providing saline-free water for Kolkata city. Hydrological analyses have been carried out on historical discharges and water levels data (1935–2015) at Hardinge Bridge station in Bangladesh to find out whether significant changes have occurred in the hydrological flow of Ganges river during pre-Farakka (1935–1975) and post-Farakka (1976–2015) periods. The impacts of Farakka barrage on discharges and water levels have been triggered an abrupt change in Bangladesh since 1975. During post-Farakka period, monthly maximum, average and minimum discharges have been reduced significantly in February–May, December–May and February–April, respectively. Ganges water sharing treaty has been signed between Bangladesh and India in 1996. In comparison with pre-Farakka period (1935–1975), it has been observed that during post-Ganges water sharing treaty period (1997–2015), the maximum, average and minimum discharges have remain reduced around 23, 43 and 65%, respectively, in dry season (January–May). Due to long-term significant reduction of the Ganges flow at Farakka for about 40 years, south-western region of Bangladesh has been suffering from environmental degradation.

Use of remote sensing data in comprehending an extremely unusual flooding event over southwest Bangladesh

Flooding is one of the natural disasters that affect the livelihood of the people living in the floodplains, like Bangladesh. Here, we proposed to employ SAR satellite images in assessing the flood extent and crop damage with the hydrometeorological observations in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. We observed that the unusual flood of the year 2000 was the combined effect of the huge amount of rainfall in the local areas as well as oncoming water flows from West Bengal in India. During late monsoon of 2000, we experienced that the amount of rainfall was in several magnitudes (250–450%) than the expected over the region. Bangladesh, one of the largest deltas in the world, in general experienced recurrent flood events from the spill of the three mighty rivers in every year. However, we observed that during 2000 the river situation was slightly above the average year conditions and below the moderate level of flood warning conditions, indicating non-riverine flooding. Therefore, we used the SAR images in delineating the flood extent and its damages for the standing aman crops. We observed that the flood extent mapping was having more than 95% agreements with the ground data and crop damage information was about 75% in agreement with the government estimates. The flood extent and crop damage map was found to be useful during the unprecedented flood in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. The use of near real-time SAR imageries thus would be helpful in developing strategies for flood management and disaster mitigation activities and could be utilized on a regular basis.

EFFECT OF ORGANIC SOIL ON STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF COMPRESSED CEMENT-SOIL BLOCK

Compressed cement-soil block is used as low cost building material. In the south-western region of Bangladesh, there is availability of organic soil which is in the formation of overlying layer. Moreover, sandy materials do not occur and are not found easily in Bangladesh. The scarcity of sandy materials has led to the increase of the retail price and subsequently to higher production cost. So organic soil materials have been used as filler directly to produce cement-soil block. In this study, the compressive and flexural strengths of cement-soil block of density 1448kg/m³ to 1611kg/m³ with specified ratio of cement content were investigated using prism specimens. The observed elapsed periods were 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days with the variation of organic contents of 2%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 40%. Preferable results on the 28th day indicated that the compressive strength and the flexural strength of cement-soil block with 20% organic content increased by 125% and 102% respectively. Moreover, the influence of density on the strength properties of cement-soil block was found to be higher than the age of the specimen.

Removal of manganese from groundwater using a biological arsenic removal ceramic filter

In this paper, manganese (Mn) removal efficiency from groundwater was assessed using a simple and low-cost household-based biological arsenic (As) removal filter (ARF). The ARF was constructed using a ceramic filter (made of clay soil and rice bran), an iron netting box, and iron bacterial sludge liquor in a clay pot. Fourteen ARFs were installed in three villages in Khulna (southwestern region of Bangladesh), and Mn removal performances were monitored over the course of 31days. Groundwater samples from 14 tube wells were analyzed for their major physicochemical quality. The mean concentration of Mn in the water samples was 0.36mgL−1, which is 3.6 times higher than the Bangladesh standard limit of 0.1mgL−1. Principal component analysis (PCA) of groundwater quality showed that the contamination of Mn in groundwater was more likely due to the dissolution and weathering process of the MnO(OH) minerals. The ARFs produced less than 0.1mgL−1 of effluent Mn from an average tubewell water concentration of 0.36mgL−1. The Eh-pH values observed in all filters indicated that Mn is primarily oxidized by Leptothrix group of iron bacteria and removed through filtration. With respect to long-term performance, the filter was very effective in removing Mn after 1year of continuous use. The ARF had low cost, required minimal maintenance, and showed long-term sustained use.

Living with the Risks of Cyclone Disasters in the South-Western Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. Cyclone disasters that affect millions of people, destroy homesteads and livelihoods, and trigger migration are common in the coastal region of Bangladesh. The aim of this article is to understand how the coastal communities in Bangladesh deal with the continuous threats of cyclones. As a case study, this study investigates communities that were affected by the Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and Cyclone Aila in 2009, covering 1555 households from 45 coastal villages in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. The survey method incorporated household based questionnaire techniques and community based focus group discussions. The pre-event situation highlights that the affected communities were physically vulnerable due to the strategic locations of the cyclone shelters nearer to those with social supreme status and the location of their houses in relatively low-lying lands. The victims were also socio-economically vulnerable considering the high rate of illiteracy, larger family size, no ownership of land, and extreme poverty. They were mostly day labourers, farmers, and fishermen. Post-event situation reveals that the victims’ houses and livelihoods were severely damaged or destroyed. Most victims were forced to shift their occupations (e.g., from farmers to fishermen), and many became unemployed. They also became heavily dependent on micro-credits and other forms of loans. A significant number of people were displaced and migrated to large urban agglomerations in search of livelihoods to maintain their families back in the affected villages. Migration was primarily undertaken as an adaptation strategy.

Availivility and Marketig Activities of Kuchia (M. kuchia) in South-Western Region of Bangladesh

Availivility and Marketig Activities of Kuchia (M. kuchia) in South-Western Region of Bangladesh

Molecular Characterization of 25 Mango Germplasm Using RAPD Markers Available in the South-western Region of Bangladesh

Molecular Characterization of 25 Mango Germplasm Using RAPD Markers Available in the South-western Region of Bangladesh