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The use of quality seeds is crucial to improve rice yield, food security, and farmers' livelihoods. The large informal seed system, limited access to quality seeds, and low seed replacement rate challenge increasing rice yield. Despite robust government initiatives to support the seed system, progress has been slow. Besides, the need for farmers' behavioural change, enhanced coordination, and communication at the local level has not received adequate attention. We investigate rice farmers' preferences for quality seed, packet sizes, types, and sources, and assess the impact of utilizing good quality seed. We collected quantitative data from 1196 rice farmers in northern Bangladesh in 2019. To identify major factors influencing farmers' preferences regarding quality seed, packet sizes, packet types, and seed sources, we employed ordered logit and multinomial logit models. Additionally, we used the propensity score matching procedure to assess the impact of good quality and formal seed sources on the rice yield. The findings revealed that farmers strongly prefer using seeds from formal sources despite limited accessibility. Of the total farmers, 34% use public source seeds, 33% use private source seeds, and the rest rely on their own saved seeds. The use of good quality seeds increased rice yields from the base yield by 0.07–0.28 t/ha. We found about a 48% gap in accessing good-quality seeds, indicating significant potential for scaling up the seed systems. Farmers using formal seed sources yielded 0.03–0.15 t/ha more than informal seed users. Farmers strongly prefer 5 kg packets due to their cost-effectiveness, easy storage, and handling convenience. Additionally, farmers prefer polycoated jute sacks for their versatility, multi-purpose applications, and resistance to pests. The econometric model results showed that farmers' preferences were significantly influenced by gender, farm type, crop yield, seed price, market distance, various stakeholders' advice, and seed supply systems' constraints. The government should implement policies and programs to strengthen a well-connected seed network in rural areas, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing rice productivity. Besides, farmers' needs and preferences should be considered in designing and implementing seed-related initiatives to foster sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyzed the effects of the partial quantity rationing of credit on the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers in the Pabna district of Bangladesh. Before conducting the field survey, we designed a theoretical framework and identified farm households affected by the partial quantity rationing of credit. Data were collected from 174 Boro rice growers and analyzed in two stages, where the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers was assessed using stochastic frontier analysis, and the inefficiency effects model was then applied to evaluate determinants of the technical efficiency. The mean technical efficiency of Boro rice growers was 78%, which indicates that their technical efficiency was 22% beyond the production frontier curve. The variables comprising the household head’s age, education level, seed quality, formal training, access to the market, farm labor, tillage cost, fertilizer cost, irrigation cost, and price of seedlings significantly affected the technical efficiency of rice growers. The variables of interest comprising the rate and partial quantity rationing of credit had significant negative effects on the technical efficiency of rice growers. The findings obtained in this study will help to enhance the actual production level using the available resources and improve the food security situation in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt was made to investigate appropriate two‐stage drying techniques for quality of paddy seeds. In this research, two options of two‐stage drying were conducted for three varieties of paddy (BR‐11, BRRI Dhan‐51, and Guti Swarna). In both options, first stage drying was carried out by a fluidized bed dryer using three temperatures (50, 55, and 60°C) at constant bed thickness of 15 cm. After tempered, in the first option, samples were further dried in second stage by sun drying (28–32°C). In the second option, samples were further dried in second stage in same fluidized bed dryer using three temperatures (35, 40, and 45°C). Comparison of germination percentage in the first option, it revealed that higher germination percentage was obtained than sun‐drying method while dried at 50°C in the first stage followed by sun‐drying method at 30 ± 2°C in the second stage except in case of Guti Swarna. In the second option, it revealed that higher germination percentage was obtained than sun‐drying method while dried in fluidized bed dryer at 50°C in the first stage followed by 35°C in second stage except in case of variety Guti Swarna. Therefore, drying at optimum air temperature for both options can be applied for paddy seed drying in Bangladesh. Practical Application: Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important food crops in all over the world. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (Yearbook of Agriculture Statistics, 2018) about 3.6 million tons of paddy produced in Bangladesh. The most important input for any agricultural production is seed than other inputs. In Bangladesh used only 15% of the total paddy seed is quality seed. Drying is an energy‐intensive and most important postharvest operation for the production of quality seed. The outcomes of the proposed research can play an important role in the improvement of the socioeconomic status of paddy seed growers and product processors of Bangladesh. It will be helpful for seed company who produces a huge amount of seed and also helpful in the rainy season when sun drying is not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper drying is needed for producing quality paddy seed. Open sun drying is often produced seed with foreign materials. Solar dryer produced by science for society (S4S), India might be suitable for country like Bangladesh. Therefore, the dryer was evaluated with six trials in Boro season 2017 and with three trials in Aman season, 2017 at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Paddy seed samples were also dried by open sun drying in Aman season to compare the performance of the dryer. Depending on paddy variety the capacity of the dryer was 42.4 to 55.0 kg batch-1. Dryer performance and seed quality were evaluated using standard formula and methods. Results revealed that temperature distribution at different locations inside the dryer was fluctuated within a narrow band. Drying time was 13.5 to 29 hours and 6.5 to 8 hours in Boro and Aman seasons, respectively depending on sufficient sunshine hours and initial moisture content of paddy whereas the drying time was within 7.5 to 8 hours in Aman season in case of sun drying. Drying rate was 0.67% to 0.7% MC hr-1. The average drying loss measured in S4S solar grain dryer (0.41%±0.55%) was lower than sun drying (2.12%±1.24%) in Aman season. The germination and vigor index of S4S solar grain dryer dried paddy seeds were satisfactory ranged 82% to 97% and 1638 to 2232 compared to sun drying ranged 79% to 80% and 1738 to 1973, respectively. Thus, paddy seeds can be dried in S4S solar grain dryer without impairing germination and vigor of seed. Farmers can get better quality seed when using S4S solar grain dryer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of quality seed and technical knowhow are considered major constraints to improving aquaculture productivity and profitability in Bangladesh. This paper assesses the outcomes of investments in improving carp seed quality and farmer training, targeting poor and women fish farmers, on the productivity and profitability of homestead aquaculture systems in Southwest Bangladesh. The paper also assesses the effect of factors such as stocking density, use of fertilizer and feed, farmers’ characteristics and location on fish yields and determines the major driving factors influencing adoption of improved practices. The results show that farmers who used improved carp seed and received training had higher yield and profit from homestead aquaculture than farmers who received training but did not use improved seed. Both of these farmer categories had higher homestead pond yields and profit than those who did not receive training but used improved seed and all three categories were found to have higher yield and profit than the control group. These results suggest that using improved seed without technical advice is unlikely to have a significant impact on aquaculture productivity and profitability while training without using improved quality seed is likely to have a positive impact on these outcomes. These results are supported by a multiple regression model which shows that, when controlling for other factors, farmers who had been trained and used improved seed were 52% more productive than the control group, while those who had been trained and did not use improved seed were 15% more productive. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in productivity between farmers who had not received training but used improved quality seed and the control group. Location, stocking density, pond water area and experience were also found to significantly influence homestead pond productivity. The additional net return generated by farmers as a result of investments in improved seed and training is estimated to be approximately US$ 470,000 and US$ 210,000 for training alone, representing a return on investment (ROI) of 285% and 394% respectively. Despite the high ROI, the modest absolute increases in income and production estimated for participating households, due mostly to the low base from which growth is taking place, suggests the need for future investments to bring about relatively higher rates of productivity increases if they are to have meaningful impacts on household production and income. Overall, these results suggest that it is not enough for aquaculture development interventions to focus only on the technical fix of improved seed, rather capacity building of farmers is also crucial if aquaculture productivity and profitability are to be successfully improved. Statement of relevance All authors have approved the final version of the article and agreed to submit in the journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A higher ozone concentration in rural agricultural region poses threat to food production in developing countries. The present study was conducted to evaluate the growth, biomass accumulation and allocation pattern, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of grains for two tropical rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L. cv NDR 97 and Saurabh 950) at ambient O3 concentrations at a rural site in the Indo Gangetic plains of India. Percent inhibition in number of leaves was higher for NDR 97, but in leaf area for Saurabh 950 grown in non filtered chambers (NFCs) compared to filtered chambers (FCs). Higher inhibition in root biomass was recorded in Saurabh 950 and in leaf and standing dead biomass for NDR 97. During vegetative phase, relative growth rate showed more percent inhibition in Saurabh 950, but at reproductive phase in NDR 97. Net assimilation rate showed higher values for Saurabh 950 than NDR 97 in NFCs but percent inhibition in leaf area ratio was higher for former than latter cultivar in NFCs. The ozone resistance was higher in NDR 97 during vegetative phase, but in Saurabh 950 at reproductive phase. Number of grains was higher in NDR 97 than Saurabh 950, but test weight and weight of grains m−2 showed reverse trends. Concentrations of starch, protein, P, N, Ca, Mg and K decreased, while reducing and total soluble sugar increased in grains of both the cultivars in NFCs compared to FCs. The study concluded that under ambient condition of O3 exposure, the two cultivars responded differently. Saurabh 950 favoured biomass translocation priority towards ear in reproductive phase and hence showed higher resistivity due to maintenance of higher test weight. NDR 97, however, showed better growth during vegetative period, but could not allocate efficiently to developing ears, hence higher number of unfilled grains in NFCs led lower test weight. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Well-functioning fish seed systems are crucial for human nutrition and improved livelihoods. Yet fish seed systems have received considerably little attention in the diffusion process for genetically improved strains. This study examined how seed systems of genetically improved fish strains function, assessed constraints faced, and explored entry-points to increased diffusion. To address these objectives, the study combined the seed systems performance assessment framework with innovation systems thinking. Data came from participatory multi-stakeholder workshops and interviews with tilapia hatchery operators and grow-out farmers in Bangladesh. We found that tilapia seed production and dissemination was profitable and cost-effective indicating a business case for supply chain actors. However, there were several binding constraints including low adoption of elite broodstock, vulnerability to weather shocks and diseases, poor quality of complementary inputs, intermittent electricity supply, hidden costs of seed transportation, and limited market access. These constraints and their causes interacted, creating systemic lock-ins through blocking mechanisms related to incomplete enforcement of regulatory frameworks to control hatchery practices and quality of inputs; limited knowledge about broodstock management, quality seed production, and disease management; weak adaptive capacity to weather shocks; and limited access to credit. Projects, programs, and policies targeted at accelerating adoption of good quality fish seed should focus on the following important aspects. First, strengthening institutional capacity to monitor and enforce quality control. Second, increasing advocacy and knowledge transfer about benefits and sources of elite broodstock. Third, promoting adoption of better management practices by hatcheries and farmers including adaptation to weather shocks. Fourth, leveraging partnerships with local service providers as intermediaries. Fifth, using social networks for information diffusion among farmers. Unlabelled Image • Seed systems are central to the delivery of good quality seeds to farmers. • Performance of seed systems will be sub-optimal if binding constraints are not addressed. • We applied a systematic approach to evaluate performance of fish seed systems. • Fish seed production is profitable and cost-effective, but faces several constraints. • Constraints in seed systems interact creating systemic lock-ins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical investigation was conducted to find out the effect of neck blast disease on yield-contributing characters, and seed quality traits of aromatic rice in Bangladesh. Both healthy and neck-blast-infected panicles of three aromatic rice cultivars (high-yielding and local) were collected and investigated at Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur, Bangladesh. All of the tested varieties were highly susceptible to neck blast disease under natural conditions, though no leaf blast symptoms appear on leaves. Neck blast disease increased grain sterility percentages, reduced grain size, yield and quality traits of seeds. The degrees of yield and seed quality reduction depended on disease severity and variety's genetic make-up. Unfilled grains were the main source of seed-borne pathogen, especially for blast in the seed lot. Transmission of blast pathogen from neck (panicle base) to seed was very poor. These findings are important, especially concerning the seed certification programme in which seed lots are certified on the basis of field inspection. Finally, controlled experiments are needed to draw more critical conclusions., (Copyright © 2014 Académie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)