Md. Wakilur Rahman

Child undernutrition remains a public health challenge in Bangladesh. This study examined associations among household water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions, climatic factors, socioeconomic characteristics, diarrhoeal disease, and child stunting. Pooled data from three rounds (2014, 2017, and 2022) of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), comprising 18,919 children under 5 years of age, were analysed. Survey-weighted logistic regression and multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with child stunting and diarrhoeal disease. Interaction effects between WASH conditions and climatic variables were assessed using predicted margins, while the Karlson–Holm–Breen method (KHB) was used to examine whether diarrhoeal disease mediated the association between WASH conditions and child stunting. 31.2% of children were stunted, while 5.2% experienced diarrhoea during the two weeks preceding the survey. After adjustment, WASH conditions were not independently associated with stunting or diarrhoeal disease. Household wealth, maternal education, and child age were the strongest factors associated with stunting. Interaction analyses indicated that associations between climatic factors and stunting varied across WASH conditions. These findings highlight the importance of socioeconomic conditions alongside climate adaptation and improved WASH services for addressing child stunting in Bangladesh.

Purpose: Ensuring global food security for a growing population has intensified the reliance on nitrogen (N) fertilizers to maintain high crop yields. However, dependency on N fertilizers has led to increased over-fertilization, declined N use efficiency (NUE), and exacerbated environmental and agronomic challenges. Methods: This review synthesised current fertilization practices, N-related policies, and empirical evidence regarding the consequences of excessive or unbalanced N application. Results: The environmental consequences of excessive or unbalanced N application included increased soil acidification, fertility decline, crop productivity decline, nitrate contamination and greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the implications for long-term agricultural sustainability. As a result, a set of integrated strategies was proposed to enhance NUE while safeguarding soil health and included precision agriculture implementation, cover cropping, microbial inoculation, conservation tillage and organic amendment application. Practical limitations and contextual barriers to adoption, particularly in smallholder-dominated systems, were also examined and actionable recommendations in policy, research and extension were outlined. Special emphasis was placed on the role of inclusive and farmer centric extension services where farmer voices are heard to address their need, data-driven decision-making systems, fertilizer innovation, circular N management and cross-sectoral collaboration. Conclusion: Collectively, this work offers a holistic framework for advancing sustainable N management and help to build resilient agricultural systems under intensifying environmental and climate pressures.

Corn silk is an underutilized agricultural byproduct rich in bioactive compounds, yet its application in functional beverages is limited by poor extractability, processing losses, and suboptimal sensory quality. This study investigated the combined effects of lactic acid fermentation, drying methods, and infusion conditions on the nutritional, phytochemical, structural, and sensory attributes of cornsilk‐based beverages. Corn silk was fermented using lactic acid bacteria and subsequently processed by sun drying, steamed vacuum drying, fermented sun drying, or fermented vacuum drying, followed by preparation of hot and cold infusions. Fermentation coupled with vacuum drying significantly enhanced protein, ash, and vitamin C contents while reducing moisture and fat. Microstructural (SEM) and FTIR analyses revealed matrix loosening and protein conformational changes that favored phytochemical release. Fermented vacuum‐dried samples, particularly cold infusions, exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents and strongest antioxidant activity. Sensory evaluation showed superior color, flavor, and overall acceptability for fermented vacuum‐dried infusions. Overall, fermentation combined with oxygen‐limited drying proved most effective for developing high‐quality functional corn silk beverages.

This study examines the drivers of crop diversification among farming communities in northern Bangladesh, where rice mono-cropping has long been prevailed. Using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews across six districts, it explores the shift toward more diverse cropping patterns that include cereals, vegetables, legumes, and spices. Findings reveal that diversification is motivated by both internal and external factors. Internal drivers comprise farmers’ knowledge, household consumption needs, risk perception, and profitability, while external influences include market access, peer learning, extension services, input availability, and institutional support. Adaptation to local environmental conditions and responses to climate variability shape farmers’ decision-making processes. A transition from subsistence-based to market-oriented agriculture, supported by both individual agency and community networks, is observed. Despite these positive incentives, farmers continue to face challenges such as pest outbreaks, climate shocks, limited extension services, and insufficient soil testing facilities. To address these obstacles, farmers often rely on agricultural officers and input dealers for guidance and support. This study underscores the need for targeted, integrated interventions by government and local stakeholders to expand diversified farming systems, and promote sustainable production and consumption practices in alignment with national goals and Sustainable Development Goal 12.

Background: Castration is a practice with significant implications for the meat production industry. It influences carcass composition, enhancing meat quality traits such as tenderness, flavor, color, juiciness. Additionally, it aids in managing animal behavior, reduces stress and meets market demands, leading to economic benefits. Methods: Lambs from the Jamuna basin area were divided into two groups: T1 (uncastrated) and T2 (castrated). Each group was made up of ten lambs. The data were subjected to analysis using an independent t-test, in conjunction with the GLM procedure of the SAS statistical software. The parameters that were examined in this study included carcass characteristics, proximate components such as dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and ash, physicochemical properties including ultimate pH, cooked pH, cooking loss, drip loss and water holding capacity, sensory analysis factors such as color, flavor, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability, as well as lightness (L), redness (r) and yellowness (b) through instrumental color values represented by the International Commission on Illumination (Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage) or CIE. Result: The uncastrated group exhibited significantly higher values (p less than 0.05) for hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, blood, skin, limb, half carcass, pluck and neck compared to the castrated group. The ether extract (EE) in the castrated group exhibited a significant increase (p less than 0.05) compared to the uncastrated group. The group that underwent castration exhibited a statistically significant reduction in drip loss (p less than 0.01), cooking loss (p less than 0.05) and a notable increase in ultimate pH (p less than 0.01). The CIE L*, a* and b* values of uncastrated lambs did not exhibit a statistically significant increase (p less than 0.05). The study of carcass traits, proximate components, physicochemical properties, sensory evaluation and instrumental color values suggests that 12-month-old lambs that had not been castrated had better reproductive performance and carcass traits. On the other hand, castrated lambs displayed enhanced meat quality attributes.

Aims: This paper puts forth the idea of MaizeConnect—a business model centred on information and communication technology (ICT) to improve a lot of rural maize farmers in Bangladesh when it comes to accessing markets. Methodology: The research was conducted in the char areas of Jamalpur District, where the Making Markets Work for the Chars (M4C) project is being implemented. The research undertakes a mixed-methods approach of desk reviews, stakeholder consultations, and SWOT analysis to understand the model's viability and impact. A situation analysis was conducted in the selected research sites to understand the current marketing practices, identify gaps, and determine the specific needs of marginal farmers. Results: An innovative e-marketing model has been developed for ensuring better access to smallholders in Bangladesh. This model not only seeks to give farmers direct access to buyers but also aims to tackle the problem of postharvest maize losses. The rural farmers are mostly poor, producing maize on a small scale. They don't have much power to negotiate, which makes their situation look pretty grim. MaizeConnect focuses on transforming the maize sector by providing easy-to-use technology, with three main benefits: price stabilization, market connectivity, and payment system inclusion. The model relies on collaboration between government, NGOs, and the private sector, with continuous support essential for sustained impact. Conclusion: There is a unique opportunity to transform the rural agricultural landscape in Bangladesh through ICT integration in the maize value chain—specifically in improving market access and storage solutions. The MaizeConnect model can overcome key challenges including post-harvest losses, market inefficiencies, and the integration of smallholder farmers into a more profitable value chain.

Socially ascribed gender norms are a significant barrier for women of the fishing communities in coastal Bangladesh. These norms limit women’s income autonomy, access to productive resources, decision making capacity and mobility, which negatively affects their economic empowerment and overall well-being. The article delves into the topic of women’s empowerment in these communities. The study employed a mixed method approach to collect data from ECOFISH II project intervention villages. Pro-WEFI, which is a modified and refined version of the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) was utilized for fishing community to determine women’s empowerment and disempowerment status across three domains of empowerment (3DE): intrinsic, instrumental, and collective agency. The findings revealed that men experienced fewer inadequacies than women, with a weighted average 3DE score of 0.75 for men and 0.57 for women, and only 14% of women and 37% of men were found to be empowered. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) score was 0.79 and households with gender parity made up 31% of the total. This study developed a comprehensive set of Pro-WEFI indicators applicable for assessing and comparing women’s empowerment across cultures in fisheries-related projects. Utilizing the disaggregated scores of each Pro-WEFI indicator, it is possible to identify areas of disempowerment for both genders and prioritize project interventions accordingly. Furthermore, employing the Pro-WEFI tool in a longitudinal panel design can capture the changes in women’s empowerment over time in any fisheries project.