108 research outputs found
Exploring the potential and performance of maize production in Bangladesh
No full textMaize is gaining importance in recent years as a promising crop aimed at boosting agricultural growth in Bangladesh. The present study explores the potential of maize expansion by examining its profitability and economic efficiency using a survey data of 300 farmers from three regions. Maize ranks first in terms of yield (7.98 t/ha) and return (BCR=1.63) as compared with rice and wheat. The economic efficiency of maize production is also estimated at a high 87%, although a substantial 15% [(100-87)/87)] cost reduction is still possible while maintaining current output level by eliminating technical and allocative inefficiency. Education positively contributes towards increasing efficiency while large farmers are relatively inefficient. Geography does matter. Efficiency is lower in Bogra region as compared with Dinajpur and Kushtia. Policy implications include investment in education, setting up appropriate price policies to stabilise prices and facilitation of the input markets for timely delivery of required inputs
China’s Foreign Policy towards Bangladesh and Pakistan: In the Context of Geo-strategic Issues (Early 21st Century)
No full text Geo-strategy is a geopolitical branch of foreign policy that is largely influenced by geographical variables in terms of warning, limiting, or influencing political and military preparation. The term geo-economics has been used in recent years to describe the perceived superiority of economics in interstate affairs over politics. The key purpose of this research is to concentrate on the geostrategic and economic value of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf, where there is a great interest in China. In addition, the study found that the Bay of Bengal, southeast Bangladesh-Pakistan, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and Port of Gwadar are of considerable significance to China for trade and investment purposes, as well as for exports and imports. The study attempted to examine the ongoing development of China-Bangladesh-Pakistan relations in the diplomatic, military, and economic spheres. These trends have had a significant effect on South Asia in general and on the relations between China and Bangladesh and Pakistan in particular. China-Bangladesh-Pakistan relations have developed in the diplomatic, military, and economic realms in the early 21st century. This analysis was carried out on the basis of secondary sources. The study argues that the Bay of Bengal is an important region for China because of its easy access to the Indian Ocean, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Pakistan is situated at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, lying astride China, South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia, and has the potential to become a crossroads for trade, transportation, and oil.
Keywords: China, Foreign Policy, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bay of Bengal, Geostrategic, Indian Ocean, Geo-economic, Port of Gwadar, Persian Gul
Enhancing sustainable development of diverse agriculture in Bangladesh
No full textGovernment of JapanTable of Contents Page List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... xi List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................... xiii Foreword .................................................................................................................................. xv Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. xvii Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ xix 1. Introduction 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Policy reforms .................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Objectives of the study ...................................................................................... 4 1.4 Scope of the study .............................................................................................. 4 2. Methodology 2.1 Survey and analytical methods .......................................................................... 5 2.2 Formation of study team .................................................................................... 7 3. Socio-economic Profiles 3.1 Historical background ........................................................................................ 9 3.2 Area, location and population ............................................................................ 9 3.3 Climate and topography ..................................................................................... 9 3.4 Structure of economy ......................................................................................... 10 3.5 Land distribution, income and inequality .......................................................... 12 3.6 Unemployment ................................................................................................... 13 3.7 Incidence of poverty .......................................................................................... 14 3.8 Concern for the environment ............................................................................. 15 3.9 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 15 4. Status of CGPRT Crops 4.1 Coarse grains ..................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Pulses ................................................................................................................. 19 4.3 Tubers ................................................................................................................ 19 4.4 Livestock population ......................................................................................... 19 4.5 Fodder production .............................................................................................. 21 4.6 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 21 5. Diversification of Agriculture 5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 23 5.2 Simpson Index of diversification ....................................................................... 23 5.3 Diversification of consumption ......................................................................... 25 5.4 Crop diversification project ............................................................................... 26 5.5 Public policies on diversification ....................................................................... 27 5.6 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 27
vi6. Yield, Profitability and Comparative Advantage 6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 29 6.2 Yield .................................................................................................................. 29 6.3 Financial and economic returns ......................................................................... 30 6.4 Financial incentives ........................................................................................... 30 6.5 Comparative advantage ...................................................................................... 31 6.5.1 DRC for rice and wheat ....................................................................... 32 6.5.2 Sensitivity analysis .............................................................................. 33 6.5.3 Alternative approach for estimating DRC ........................................... 33 6.6 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 34 7. Marketing of CGPRT Crops 7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 35 7.2 Marketing cost and margin ................................................................................ 35 7.3 Seasonal price difference ................................................................................... 37 7.4 Price difference by location ............................................................................... 37 7.5 Storage-cum-credit ............................................................................................. 37 7.6 Price commission ............................................................................................... 38 7.7 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 38 8. Policy Environment for CGPRT Crops 8.1 Trade liberalization and CGPRT crops .............................................................. 39 8.1.1 Objective ............................................................................................. 39 8.1.2 Commitments ....................................................................................... 39 8.1.3 Market access ...................................................................................... 39 8.1.4 Domestic support ................................................................................. 40 8.1.5 Export subsidies .................................................................................. 41 8.1.6 Impact .................................................................................................. 41 8.2 Food self-sufficiency and CGPRT crops ........................................................... 43 8.3 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 44 9. Agriculture Diversification and Poverty Alleviation 9.1 Overview of poverty alleviation public policies ................................................ 45 9.2 Potential benefits of agricultural diversification for poverty alleviation ........... 45 9.3 Redirection of public policies relating to poverty alleviation ............................ 46 9.4 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 47 10. Demand for CGPRT Crops and their Industrial Importance 10.1 Farmers perception of demand ........................................................................... 49 10.2 Income elasticities of demand for CGPRT crops ............................................... 49 10.3 Potential for agro-processing ............................................................................. 50 10.4 Scope of processing ........................................................................................... 51 10.4.1 Maize ................................................................................................... 51 10.4.2 Millets .................................................................................................. 51 10.4.3 Pulses ................................................................................................... 51 10.4.4 Tubers .................................................................................................. 51 10.4.5 Other crops .......................................................................................... 52 10.5 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 52
vii11. Potential Scope for Diversified Agriculture 11.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 53 11.2 Driving forces for diversification ...................................................................... 53 11.3 Constraining forces for diversification .............................................................. 54 11.4 Concluding summary ......................................................................................... 55 12. Towards the Development of Sustainable Diversified Agriculture for Poverty Alleviation in Bangladesh: A Search for Effective Policy ........................... 57 13. Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................................... 61 14. References ............................................................................................................................... 65 Appendices Appendix A. Tables ..................................................................................................................... 69 Appendix B. Basis of Calculation for Requirements and Availability of Livestock Feed ............. 79 Appendix C. Description of Areas Surveyed ................................................................................... 8
Toxic Effects of Sapium indicum (Willd.) Fruits on Animal Model
No full textThe present study deals with toxic effects of petroleum ether (40°-60°C) and water-soluble alcoholic extracts of the fruits of Sapium indicum (Willd.) on laboratory animal model. The petroleum ether (40°-60°C) extract administered through intravenous route in mice, and through oral routes in rats exhibited toxic effects. The 24-hr LD50 value of the extract was found as 816.58 µg.kg-1 and 208.93 mg.kg-1 body weight in mice and rats, respectively. On the other hand, the experimental rats treated orally with the water-soluble alcoholic extract exhibited no mortality. The results revealed that the petroleum ether (40°-60°C) extract of the fruit is more toxic than organochlorine compounds having a prospect of using it as an alternative source of bio-pesticides
A Study of the Relationship between Political Institutions and Democratic Amalgamation in Bangladesh
No full textIn almost all political systems political institutions play an important role in promoting democracy and democratization. The political institutions are the groups in a political system that create, enforce, and apply laws for the benefit of the society. They regularly arbitrate conflict, make governmental policies on the local and national economies and socio-political systems, and then offer representation for the people of the country. In general, democratic political systems are divided into two forms: presidential which is headed by a president; and parliamentary which is headed by a parliament. Party systems can be two-party or multiparty and the political parties can be strong or fragile depending on their level of inner harmony. The political institutions are those bodies, parties, parliaments, and heads of government, that create the entire apparatus of the present-day governments. In terms of political system, Bangladesh has been trying to exercise the democratic polity. Its legislature is unicameral where the Prime Minister is the head of government and the President is the head of the state. Besides, it is a developing country with enormous socio-economic and political problems that need to be addressed to reach the goals of millennium development and sustainable development. In this paper the relationship between the political institutions and democratic amalgamation has been discussed. And at the end of the study some policy recommendations have been provided to strengthen the prevailing democratic culture
Adherence to treatment guidelines in a university hospital: Exploration of facts and factors
No full textThe present study was conducted to evaluate the adherence to treatment guidelines in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. The study assessed the awareness of prescribers, adherence to treatment guidelines and reasons for non-adherence. A questionnaire survey was conducted followed by a retrospective medical review and in-depth interview. The study revealed that 60.9% of key prescribers are aware of Treatment Guidelines. In pediatric patients, adherence was highest in neonatal sepsis (71.7%) and lowest in bronchial asthma (3.3%) and pneumonia (3.3%). In adult patients, adherence was highest in rheumatoid arthritis (100%) and lowest in bronchial asthma (13.3%). Adherence was 29.5% and 52.7% in pediatric and adult patients respectively and difference was highly significant (p<0.001). The adherence was highest with International Guideline (100%), followed by institutional Guideline (71.7%) and National Guideline (22.5%). There is significant variation in extent of adherence in different age group of patients, diseases and categories of guidelines
Snapshot of the pharmaceutical promotional literature of Bangladesh: A critical review
No full textThe present research was conducted to evaluate the quality of pharmaceutical promotional literature. Indications was mentioned in 88.2% promotional literature and less than half (40.0, 33.9 and 38.9%) of these contains side effects, precautions and contraindications respectively. Among the provided information 67.3%, 16.5%, 19.5% and 24.0% matched with the BDNF/BNF respectively. Scientific articles (73.3%) were cited most followed by commercial online sources (15.5%), data on file (4.2%), regulatory body approval data (2.9%), product monograph (2.7%) and textbook/reference book (1.6%). Only half (50.2%) of these cited references were retrievable and no ‘data on file’ could be retrieved. Though most (73.2%) of the promotional claims were true, 13.7, 5.9, 4.6 and 2.6% were identified as false, exaggerated, ambiguous and controversial respectively. This revelation about the quality of promotional literature might an eye opener for the policy makers. More importantly, this may bring alertness among the physicians during interpretation of pharmaceutical promotion literature
ASSESS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE PARAMETERS ON RICE PRODUCTION BY VECTOR AUTOREGRESSION MODEL IN RAJSHAHI DISTRICT.
No full textRice is the main cereal crop of Bangladesh where three major rice crops (namely, Aus, Aman and Boro) make up the total rice production.According to World Bank report Bangladesh is treated as one of the most sensitive hotspots for climate change and climate-related extreme events.Increasing temperature and variable rainfall levels along with severe and frequent floods, droughts and cyclones adversely affect agricultural production and place Bangladesh\'s food security at risk. The paper examines the impact of climatic variables like rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, humidity and sunshine on two main rice crops Aman and Boro in case of Rajshahi district by Vector Autoregression (VAR) model. The empirical evidence from time series data from 1987 to 2015 confirm that all of climatic variables together influence the both rice production where rainfall and humidity has positive significant effect onAman rice and rainfall, minimum temperature and sunshine have positive significant effect on Boro rice production in case of Rajshahi district. Therefore, it is necessary to take action to control the climatic variable to ensure food security by producing rice in large scale
Comparative study of hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide on the anti-atherogenic potential of losartan in cholesterol fed rat
No full textThe study was conducted to evaluate the anti-atherogenic potential of losartan and to assess the effects of hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide on losartan activity in rat. Cholesterol diet (0.5%) for 12 weeks led to significant hyperlipidemia, increased body weight and oxidative stress in erythrocyte. While, losartan, hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide treatment continued for next 12 weeks, losartan showed anti-atherogenic activity reflected by hypolipidemic effect and antioxidant effect in erythrocyte. This activity was abolished by addition of hydrochlorothiazide with losartan but remained unaltered by addition of indapamide with losartan. Atherosclerotic change and oxidative stress were not found in rat aorta, which may be due to short duration and low dose of cholesterol feeding. Hydrochlorothiazide treatment was associated with hypokalemia, which was not present in losartan or indapamide treatment. This study suggests that indapamide might be co-administered with losartan conserving the essential anti-atherogenic potential of losartan.Online: 13 July 2010DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v36i1.5447Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 14-19 </jats:p
MONITORING DROUGHT VULNERABILITY AT DIFFERENT TIME SCALES: A CASE STUDY FROM RAJSHAHI DISTRICT, BANGLADESH
No full textDrought is a slow onset natural disaster which creates a threat to social and agro-ecological balance. The failure of rain and the occurrence of drought during any particular growing season may lead to severe food shortage and increase vulnerability. The purpose of this study is to estimate the Drought Index (DI) in multiple time scales for Rajshahi district of Bangladesh.The 52 years daily rainfall data during the period 1964-2015 used for analysis. There were some missing data over that range. We separated this time interval in 5, 7 and 10 days series format then we estimate missing value by using imputtation method. Finally, we used R code to analyze Markov Chain Model by considering threshold value 3mm. At first, we find out the Drought Index from the first transition probability matrix and then estimate with higher transition probability matrix. When the higher transition probability matrix became stable, then we estimate the DI. The empirical study showed that for 5, 7 and 10 days Drought Index (DI) followed extreme to moderate, mild to occasional, and extreme to occasionally drought respectively. But in first transition probability matrix it showed chronic drought and due to climate change after different stages chronic drought turned into severe, moderate, mild and occasional drought. In overall interpretation, we found mild for 5 days and occasional drought for 7 and 10 days respectively. By extracting information about drought characteristics that include its spatial extent, severity, and frequency are important for policy maker to take necessary steps in advance to mitigate the effect of drought for producing crops which will reduce the food insecurity and vulnerability for developing sustainable development
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