Aims: The study was accomplished for assessing the impact of agar oil production on livelihood improvement of its producers.
Study Design: This article is a socioeconomic study and placed on empirical analysis. It conducted the socioeconomic factors which had an impact on the livelihood improvement of agar oil producers.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Barlekha Upazilla of Maulvibazar District of Bangladesh. The study period was mid-June to mid-September/2017.
Methodology: The relevant data were collected from the agar oil producers of Maulvibazar District, Bangladesh. Household having at least one factory were included for the study. A total of 60 households among 180 household were selected as sample. Field survey data were collected through face to face interviewing of the respondents using a structured questionnaire through simple random sampling. After cleaning and correcting the data Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) were used for analyzing the data.
Results: The average family size was found 10.17 (small: 10%; medium: 45% and large: 45%) and majority (63.3%) belongs to the graduation level, meaning having 16.0 years of education. The results of the regression model revealed that amount of annual income, credit access of household, membership of an organization had the positive impact and an increasing the age of household head had a negative effect on livelihood improvement. Instead of having different constraints, the major problems faced by the producers in agar oil production were lack of industrial gas connection and lack of modern laboratory.
Conclusion: In order to enrich the livelihood improvement of agar oil producer’s industrial gas connection, modern laboratory and better credit services should be well executed by different government and non-government organization.
The study identified the factors affecting tribal farmers’ decision adopting agricultural technologies in Bangladesh. A total of 600 respondents were surveyed using multi-stage sampling technique from Sylhet (Garo, Khasia and Manipuri gropus) and Chittagong (Chakma, Marma and Tanchang groups) divisions. The study revealed that the mostly practiced farming systems were C-L-P, C-P-H and C-L-H. In the study areas, over 80 percent of total cropped area were under crop production. On an average, poultry rearing was the highest profitable business in Sylhet division (with BCR 2.08) and livestock rearing was the highest profitable business in Chittagong division (with BCR 2.06). Overall, 39.2, 26.6 and 34.2 and 38.8, 26.5 and 34.7% farmers in Sylhet and Chittagong divisions assured about increased, decreased and constant state of production practices using agricultural technologies, respectively like betel leaf and betel nut production, Cuchia production, Jhum cultivation, medicinal plants cultivation, etc. Educational level of household head, farm size, farm income, extension contact and farming experience had significant influence on farmers’ adoption of agricultural technologies. Government and non-government organizations should arrange and implement training and motivational programs and properly provide extension services for raising the awareness about modern agricultural technologies among the tribal groups.
The study was conducted to determine of food security status of dairy households in char areas of Bangladesh and to identify the major constraints faced by the dairy farmers. A total of 600 poorest households with dairying were selected out of 1323 households from each upazila of Sariakandi, Islampur and Belkuchi of Bogra, Jamalpur and Sirajganj districts, respectively using simple random sampling technique. To identify the factors influencing the food security status of farming households, food security index (Z), food insecurity gap/surplus index (P) and the head count ratio (H) were calculated. The food security indices before and after intervention of the project were0.87, 0.89, 0.91; and 1.02, 1.02, and 1.04 for Sariakandi, Islampur and Belkuchi upazilas for food secured households, respectively whereas for food insecure households, the figures were 0.63, 0.55, 0.64; and 0.72, 0.64, and 0.74, respectively. Before the project intervention, the values of food surplus indices in the case of food secure households were 0.01, 0.01 and 0.09 which had increased to 0.04, 0.04 and 0.14 after the intervention in Sariakandi, Islampur and Belkuchi upazilas, respectively. On the other hand, the values of food shortfall indices in case of the food insecure households in Sariakandi, Islampur and Belkuchi upazilas had decreased from -0.35, -0.45 and -0.33 to -0.27, -0.36 and -0.26, respectively after the intervention. The problems related to rising of dairy animals were lack of capital with CFI 33 was ranked as 1st, whereas, high cost of milk collection and delivery with CFI 28, poor communication and transport facilities with CFI 26, lack of market information with CFI 26, irregular payment with CFI 26 and scattered milk production with CFI 25 were ranked as 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, respectively. Diversified job opportunities, mobilization of resources and credit allocation are needed for enhancing dairy farming and ensuring food security in the study areas. The problems related to rising of dairy animals were lack of storage facilities with CFI 651 was ranked as 1st, whereas, lack of adequate capital with CFI 626, expensive and inadequate feed supply with CFI 622, low quality feed with CFI 598, and lack of transportation and communication facilities with CFI 550 were ranked as 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, respectively.
Objective Prevention of mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) through control of hypertension is a public health priority in Bangladesh. Our objective was to assess sex differences in prevalence and determinants of hypertension among adults in one rural area of Bangladesh. Study design Cross-sectional. Setting and participants From January 2014 to December 2015, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 2600 men and women aged ≥18 years located in one rural district of Bangladesh. We collected data on demographics, behavioural factors, physical measurements and health history. Primary outcome measures Our primary outcome was hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥140 or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg). Results The average age of participants was 41.6 years and 53.7% were women. Hypertension prevalence was 6.9% (95% CI 5.9 to 7.9), and was significantly higher among women (8.9%) than men (4.5%). The highest prevalence of hypertension was observed among women aged ≥60 years at 21.3% (95% CI 16.6 to 26.7). A higher proportion of men with hypertension were aware of their condition (72.2%) compared with women (52.4%). Determinants of hypertension included older age, higher education, current tobacco use, increasing body mass index, and hyperglycaemia. Conclusion Our research suggests that hypertension prevalence is higher among women than men in rural Bangladesh. Sex-specific interventions should be developed to inform adults of the necessary lifestyle changes that may reduce the risk of hypertension and subsequent CVDs.
Despite its impressive economic growth, Bangladesh faces a persistent malnutrition challenge, costing over US$1 billion annually. The broiler industry plays a vital role in addressing nutritional needs by providing essential protein through meat and eggs. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in this sector struggle with high feed prices, impacting their profitability and growth. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional poultry feed, addressing both rising costs and environmental impacts. This study examined different aspects of BSFL, such as broiler feed, and farmers' perceptions of them in some selected areas of the Sylhet region of Bangladesh. A total of 60 respondents from three subdistricts in Sylhet district were selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, discriminative power value, binary logistic regression model, and profitability equation. Among the respondents, 70% (42) had a favorable attitude toward BSFL, and 30% (18) had a highly favorable attitude towards BSFL. Among eight socioeconomic attributes examined for the likeliness of adopting BSFL as broiler feed, the respondents' average income (p < 0.01), years of schooling (p < 0.05), and years of broiler farming experience (p < 0.01) were found to be significant. Further, farms using 50% BSFL and 50% traditional feed had a net return of BDT (Bangladeshi Taka) 35,045.67 (USD 419.71), higher than those using traditional feed, which had a net return of BDT 29670.67 (USD 355.38). Further, farms using 50% BSFL and 50% traditional feed had a benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of 1.16, compared to other farms with a BCR of 1.11. The study also found some problems causing slow growth in the adoption rate of BSFL in the study region, such as lack of training programs, extension campaigns, the uncertainty of input supply, and financial assistance. The study suggests making adequate measures to raise awareness about the profitability of BSFL as broiler feed, conducting training at the root level, and making inputs easily available to farmers.
This research was conducted to analyze the status of tea workers of selected areas of Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through direct interview and secondary data were also collected from different sources. A total of 100 tea workers were randomly selected from Ootterbhag and Indanugger tea estate of Moulvibazar. Descriptive statistics and functional analyses were employed to achieve the objectives of the research. Risk facing index, food security index, food consumption score were calculated and binary logistic regression were carried out to identify the factors affecting food security status. The study revealed that the life of tea workers in selected areas are vulnerable. Wages are not adequate to meet basic needs and the wage raises are not keeping pace with the cost of living. Considering 4.51 average family member the respondent family household is far below the international poverty line (1.90 US$). It was observed from the analysis that 52% sample respondents were illiterate. However, the maximum respondents also agreed that they faced various psychological, mechanical and biological hazards. Household calorie availability or consumption behavior was revealed by food consumption score, which exemplified that 49% respondents are in borderline food consumption pattern while 5% and 46% are in poor and acceptable level respectively. The overall average daily per capita calorie intake by tea workers was observed to be 2076.3996 kilo calorie, which is lower than the national average of Bangladesh. Only 35% household were food secure based on calorie intake. Household was food insecure if number of dependent persons in family increases; food secure with increase in household monthly income; and household food security decreases with increase in household size.
This paper seeks to examine the possibility of cooperative farming as an alternative to share renting with the help of data on three experimental cooperative farms in Bangladesh. It has been observed that cooperative farms may provide an alternative to share renting only if due shares of returns for all land and non-land resources supplied by members are ensured. Due to absence of such provisions, practice of renting was prevalent in the cooperative farms under study. There is evidence that under the existing methods of organization of the cooperative farms, the members of small and medium farm size, unlike similar size groups of non-members, tended to increase their operated area significantly by renting in more land than they rented out. This is possibly the reflection of the less exploitative terms of share renting in the cooperative farming areas compared to other areas. In the long-term content, however, the objective of equity in income distribution will be blurred by the parallel existence of share renting within the co-operative farms since it will provide a source of income transfer from tenant members to land-owner members.
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of livelihood diversification on tribal farmers’ decision to adopt modern agricultural practices, while also examining the profitability of various agricultural practices and identifying key challenges and policy recommendations for enhancing the sustainability of tribal farming livelihoods in Bangladesh. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire during the month of February 2021 from 115 tribal farmers, followed by a simple random sampling technique. In the study area, only 9.57% of farmers were involved in crop cultivation. The study calculated that human labor cost was the highest in rice production (about 37%). The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of rice production, livestock rearing, and homestead gardening was estimated at 1.46, 1.41, and 1.09, respectively. Among all agricultural components practiced by the tribal farmers, rice production was more efficient than others. The binary logistic regression findings showed that livelihood diversification, age of the farmers, access to information, household income, and farming experience had a significant influence on the adoption decision of modern agricultural practices. Therefore, promoting livelihood diversification among tribal farmers is crucial for enhancing their resilience and income sustainability. This could include providing training, access to markets, and financial support for activities such as poultry and livestock rearing and non-farm enterprises like homestead gardening.
'/%3e%3c/defs%3e%3cpath fill='%23012169' d='M0 0h10080v5040H0z'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='.6' d='m0 0 6 3m0-3L0 3' clip-path='url(%23b)' transform='scale(840)'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23e4002b' stroke-width='.4' d='m0 0 6 3m0-3L0 3' clip-path='url(%23c)' transform='scale(840)'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='840' d='M2520 0v2520M0 1260h5040'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23e4002b' stroke-width='504' d='M2520 0v2520M0 1260h5040'/%3e%3cg fill='%23fff'%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23d' x='2520' y='3780'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' x='7560' y='4200'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' x='6300' y='2205'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' x='7560' y='840'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' x='8680' y='1869'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23e' x='8064' y='2730'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
