PRESENT STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION: A STUDY ON THREE UPAZILAS OF PANCHAGARH DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

Nowadays in Bangladesh, farm mechanization is one of the major cause of change in agricultural sector. Due to labor shortage and high wage rate of labor, farmers are compelled to accept farm mechanization. The purpose of the study was to assess the modern agricultural technologies used in Panchagarh district and develop statistical information. The study period was from August 2019 to October 2019. For this study, three places such as Panchagarh Sadar, Boda and Debiganj were selected. Present status was analyzed based on irrigation management system, tillage practices, insect control practices, harvesting and post-harvesting operation, drying and storage facilities for rice production. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information’s of machinery used in selected places. The study revealed that irrigation, land preparation and crop protection was almost mechanized, but mechanization is still lacking in harvesting operation. There were no transplanter, seed drill and fertilizer applicator found in the study areas used by farmers. Crops were still dried through sun drying storage was done by the traditional storage technologies. It is a fact that mechanization is in progress in these areas but need more extension work with modern machineries. The government should develop proper planning by investigating present status of mechanization and improve the present condition by increasing machinery utilization. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2021.v08i9.00

An overview of progress towards implementation of Solid Waste Management policies in Dhaka, Bangladesh

OBJECTIVES: Considering the increased solid waste generation and its management, this paper aims at reviewing and identifying the gaps and challenges in implementing the existing solid waste management relevant policies, strategies and action plans in Bangladesh for providing further strategic recommendations to establish a sustainable waste management system. METHODS: This study adopted a multi-method approach by reviewing 24 policy/strategy documents; implementation gap analysis with extensive desk review and data obtained from the qualitative approach and co-production workshop. It allowed this study to capture the multidimensional and comprehensive scenario of waste management in Dhaka city. RESULTS: Bangladesh has undergone reforms in solid waste management since 1983 with the adoption of the Dhaka City Corporation Ordinance and the enactment of the National 3R Strategy in 2010. With few exceptions, the overall waste management system cannot be defined as an effective comprehensive waste reduction, recycling and disposal mechanism based on global standards. Study found that several action plans have been introduced yet not all of those have proper implementation like adhering the waste segregation and recycling practices from households to landfill level. Lack of monitoring and coordination among the existing policy implementing agencies have emerged as significant concerns in Bangladesh. CONCLUSION: Challenges in the implementation of pragmatic and improved policies and strategies should be addressed