On Fast and Robust Information Spreading in the Vertex-Congest Model

This paper initiates the study of the impact of failures on the fundamental problem of \emph{information spreading} in the Vertex-Congest model, in which in every round, each of the $n$ nodes sends the same $O(\log{n})$-bit message to all of its neighbors. Our contribution to coping with failures is twofold. First, we prove that the randomized algorithm which chooses uniformly at random the next message to forward is slow, requiring $\Omega(n/\sqrt{k})$ rounds on some graphs, which we denote by $G_{n,k}$, where $k$ is the vertex-connectivity. Second, we design a randomized algorithm that makes dynamic message choices, with probabilities that change over the execution. We prove that for $G_{n,k}$ it requires only a near-optimal number of $O(n\log^3{n}/k)$ rounds, despite a rate of $q=O(k/n\log^3{n})$ failures per round. Our technique of choosing probabilities that change according to the execution is of independent interest.Comment: Appears in SIROCCO 2015 conferenc

Synthesis of 1-p-methoxyphenyl- and 1-(p-methoxyphenyl)-4- methylbicyclo(2.2.1)heptan-7-one. The oxidation of 7-hydroxy-1-(p- methoxyphenyl)-4-methylbicyclo(2.2.1)heptane-7-carboxylic acid with lead tetraacetate

A simple synthetic route to 1-p-methoxyphenyl and 1-p-methoxyphenyl-4-methylbicyclo [2.2.1]heptan-7-one 6b,a has been developed through benzilic acid rearrangement of the bicyclo[2.2.1]octandiones 2b,a. The oxidation of 7-hydroxy-1-p-methoxyphenyl-4-methylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-carboxylic acid 3a with lead tetraacetate gives the carbolactone 7a which is also formed by the reaction of the ketone 6a with m-chloroperbenzoic acid

Agricultural Transformation in Bangladesh:Extent, Drivers and Implications

Bangladesh agriculture has made remarkable progress in terms of production and diversification towards high value crops and non-crop agriculture over time. All sub-sectors (crop, forestry, animal farming and fisheries) of agriculture have registered substantial growth. Agricultural GDP has increased by 5.6 times since independence. On the other hand, Total GDP has increased by 20.8 times. Per capita income (GNI) has increased by 6.2 times, from 211 dollars to 1,314 dollars. Bangladesh has achieved lower middle income country status in 2015 by the World Bank..

Groundnut Production Performance in Bangladesh: A District Level Analysis

This study analyzes the performance of groundnut production in Bangladesh in the 1990s and 2000s, both at the district and national level. Production performance was measured in terms of growth and variability. Annual compound rate of growth was estimated to know the growth performance. Cuddy-Della Valle index was used to estimate variability. Analysis showed that both area and production of groundnut at the national level declined in the 1990s but production increased afterwards. In the late 2000s, groundnut production increased by 31% although area under groundnut was same as in the late 1990s. Increase in groundnut yield (by 373 kg/ha or 32%) contributed towards increase in groundnut production in the late 2000s. In the late 2000s (TE2009/10), top five groundnut producing districts (Noakhali, Dhaka, Faridpur, Kishoreganj and Pabna) accounted for 59 percent of area and 55 percent of production. In the 2000s, Bangladesh achieved high annual growth (5.0% or more) in groundnut production at the national level and in nine districts (Faridpur, Tangail, Barisal, Jessore, Kushtia, Dinajpur, Pabna, Rangpur and Chittagong H.T.). On the other hand, variability in groundnut production in the 2000s increased insignificantly at the national level while three districts (Sylhet, Mymensingh and Tangail) experienced statistically significant increase in variability in groundnut production. Increase in variability in groundnut production was mainly due to the increased variability in area under groundnut indicating that the crop was expanded to less suitable areas. The study concludes that groundnut breeders should focus more on yield increase rather than on reduction in variability in yield. Increase in yield potential through research is expected to have higher production and profit to the farmers and thereby, encourage farmers to allocate more area under groundnut cultivation

Rural non-farm economy in Bangladesh: nature, extent, trends and determinants

Recent literatures suggest increased importance of non-farm economic activities as a source of rural livelihoods in many Asian countries. This study examines the recent trends in rural non-farm (RNF) economic activities in Bangladesh. Relative importance of the non-farm sector for rural livelihoods and their linkages with farming actives are investigated. Rural non-farm activities are of many different types. This study has documented all different types of RNF activities, the level of diversity in RNF activities and their determinants. We have also tried to understand the participation behaviours of household members in non-farm employment and factors which enables or retard them to engage in RNF activities. The study is based on household level panel data collected under the Village Dynamics Studies in South Asia (VDSA) project from 500 household for three years (2010 to 2012). Sample households are located in 12 villages spanning over 11 districts in Bangladesh. . The 12 study villages and sample households come from a number of agro-ecological zones and represent varied infrastructure and socio-economic conditions in Bangladesh. Both descriptive and econometric analyses are carried out to examine the above mentioned issues. Role of land ownership, education level of household head, family size, sex of head, asset ownership, and access to credit etc. in the process of participation and intensity of participation in RNF activities was examined using Probit and Tobit model, respectively. The study revealed significant increase in RNF activities over time. However, the extent and growth in RNF activities varied across villages. Households have increasingly been using RNF activities as multi-occupation strategy for sustaining their livelihood

Rainfall insurance in India: does it deal with risks in dryland farming?

Rainfall continues to be a major risk confronted by the dryland farmers in semi-arid tropics of India. Through the years, dryland farmers experience an increasingly erratic rainfall and frequent occurrence of droughts. Crop yield and farm income are highly correlated with quantum and distribution of rainfall thereby livelihoods of resource poor farmer are at risk. Rainfall insurance, a type of Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS), was introduced as a risk covering mechanism to extreme rainfall events and to reduce hassles in operationalization of other crop insurance schemes. This study documents rainfall insurance scheme and its operational modalities such as eligibility criteria, payment of premium, benefit structure and payouts, and technical hassles. It examined the hypothesis that low spread of rainfall insurance was linked with the situation where prospective buyers were unable to relate the product to their regular exposure. This study also underlines incongruity comparing the variation in longitudinal actual village data and reference weather data (mandal level3 ) that were used to calculate strike, exit and payouts to the farmers across six villages of semi-arid tropics (SAT) region. It identified several challenges on the ground in its capacity to cover risk among the farmers. The challenges include lack of proper awareness among farmers, absence of reliable weather datasets, misinformation on insurance contract and processes, exclusion of high risky crops from the rainfall insurance coverage. Real time calculation of risk benefits with existing policy found that existing design cannot appropriate to meet the loss, if incurred during the climate extremes. Hence, there is a need to relook at the insurance policy design in terms of efficiency. The study also argued that with continuous government support and by drawing on both quasi government and private players into the process for greater transparency and design to improve effectiveness of this initiativ

Dynamics of rural livelihoods in Bangladesh and India: Insights from village dynamics studies villages

This study focuses on the recent changes in rural livelihoods systems in Bangladesh and India. It has used household survey data collected under the Village Dynamics Studies in south Asia (VDSA) project from 1831 households located in 42 villages in Bangladesh and India for the period 2010/11 to 2012/13. The villages are comprised of 18 villages from six states (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtraand and Telangana) of semi-arid tropics (SAT) in India, 12 villages from three states (Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha) in eastern India and 12 villages from 11 districts in Bangladesh. The study villages and sample households come from a number of agro-ecological zones and represent varied infrastructure and socio-economic conditions in Bangladesh and India. The study has quantified household income by sources and their determinants. Role of various factors such as access to irrigation facilities, adoption of modern technology, better road connectivity and market linkages, access to education, diversity in economic activities and livelihood opportunities on per capita income are examined. Contribution of different sources (farm and nonfarm) to the total income of the households is analyzed. We have also analyzed the extent of income inequality among households in the three study reguins. The study observed substantial rise in per capita real income and increased importance of nonfarm income sources for livelihoods of rural household

Rural Non-farm Economy in SAT INDIA: Nature, Extent and Determinants

Increased importance of rural non-farm economy (RNFE) to the livelihoods of rural population has been reported in recent studies. The RNFE includes all income generating activities (either as a paid work or as self-employment) that are not agricultural but provide income to the rural households. The RNFE is of great importance to the rural economy for its productive and employment effects as well as for creating demands for agricultural commodities. This paper has documented the occupational patterns among rural households in semi-arid tropics (SAT) of India. It has identified various types of rural non-farm (RNF) activities and quantified the contribution of various RNF activities to employment and household income. We have studied participation behaviours of household members in non-farm employment and factors affecting the RNF activities. The study is based on household level panel data collected by ICRISAT under the Village Dynamics Studies in south Asia (VDSA) project. A total of 864 panel households covering 18 villages across six states in India (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra and Telangana) are studied for four years (2009-10 to 2012-13). The study villages and sample households come from different rainfall zones representing varied infrastructural and socio-economic conditions. Descriptive analyses are carried out for understanding the occupational pattern and contribution of RNF activities to employment and income. The Tobit model was used to know the contribution of various factors such as land ownership and tenancy, age of household head, number of household workers, dependency ratio, average education of working family members, asset ownership, etc. which are affecting the intensity of participation in RNF activities. The study has revealed significant contribution of RNF activities as a source of primary and secondary occupations, and increased importance for employment and household income. However, the extent and contribution of RNF activities varied across villages and states