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This study compared preferred rice varieties by millers and farmers in Bangladesh, hypothesizing that public breeders would focus on public goods like disease resistance, whereas private breeders would focus on profits in the entire chain. Primary data were collected from 99 farmers and 68 millers, who are among the key stakeholders in the rice production system. A four-point rating scale was designed to assess the level of preference for different traits of the selected rice varieties. It was found that farmers who prioritize disease resistance prefer the public over privately bred Aman rice varieties. In general, they prefer rice varieties that are high yielding, have high market value and are of short duration while millers prefer rice verities considering the size and shape, color, and milling performance of the grains. Most significantly, millers prefer privately bred rice varieties if compared to farmers. It can be concluded that public rice breeders should take efforts to also consider the needs of intermediaries in the chain.

The major focus of the study was to explore the safety perception of consumers towards vegetables in the urban markets of Mymensingh city in Bangladesh. The study was carried out through survey of randomly selected sixty vegetable consumers. Data were collected through face-to-face interview method using pre-tested interview schedule. Chi-square (χ√) test was employed to assess the association between socio-economic characteristics and perception towards safety of vegetables. Respondents of the study area showed remarkable individual differences in their selected socio-economic characteristics. Majority of the respondents were middle aged, having higher secondary level of education, small family size, self-employed and earns medium level annual income. Findings revealed that potato, cauliflower, ash gourd, tomato and okra were the most preferred vegetables in the study area. Majority of the respondents perceived those vegetables sold in the retail market is produced with excessive chemicals, mishandling and possess health risk. Irrespective of demographic differences, majority of the respondents agreed that vegetables in the market are not so safe for consumption. Having perceived the unsafe vegetables, majority of the respondents (78.0%) still wish to purchase vegetables from the market. Of course, safety perception of respondents influenced their decision as 22.0 percent of them denied to purchase from market in future. Hence, application of organic fertilizer with limited or no use of pesticides can be a solution to ensure safe vegetables in the market as suggested by the respondents.

The field experiment was conducted in the Charlands of Bangladesh during November 2021 to March 2022 to find the crop production and soil properties status. A randomized complete block design was followed with six treatments and three replications. The organic amendments were quick compost, standard organic fertilizers, poultry manure and biochar @ 3t/ha. A positive change was found for the application of manures compared to control plot with the crop production and soil fertility status from our experimental findings. The yield per plant of pumpkin was ranged from 27.24 to 85.61 kg and BCR 1.06 to 3.40. The fresh tuber yield of sweet potato was varied from 39.29 to 94.00 t/ha and BCR 1.20 to 3.54. Soil pH was varying from 6.74 to 7.36, OC from 0.69 to 1.82%, total N from 0.074 to 0.145%, available P from 7.49 to 17.66mg/kg, available S from 9.55 to 17.81mg/kg and Zn from 0.536 to 1.134mg/kg. Biochar treated plot showed the best result compered to others. Organic amendments should be recommended in the farmer’s field for better crop production and soil fertility status.

This study focused on farmers’ crop management practices in selected rural riverine islands (Char lands) of Sariakandi Upazila, Bogura district, Bangladesh. Disproportionate stratified sampling was adopted to select the respondents. The data were elicited using an interview schedule and analyzed via Statistics 10 software. Results revealed that, on average, there was moderate knowledge on crop management practices, and the attitude towards the practices was favorable. But, in deviance from what is habitually obtained on mainland Bangladesh where rice cultivation dominates, jute (35.84%) and chili (28.4%) covered the majority in Char Ghagua and Char Shaluka, respectively. In Char Tengrakura, rice and chili covered a little above half (52.7%) of the crops cultivated by the respondents. In terms of the management practices, the lion’s share (81.7%, 74.7%, and 77.0%) of soil management practices was covered by chemical fertilizers in all the Char lands. Similarly, the use of chemicals dominated when handling pests and diseases. Triple cropping was foremost across the Char lands and had high mean coverage in Char Tengrakura (63.6%). The mean coverage of irrigation water management practices was virtually shallow tube well in the Char lands. Generally, there was moderate knowledge and a positive attitude towards crop management practices. That crop management practices (use synthetic materials and underground water) employed in the Char lands are unsustainable, tending to induce degradation of land and water resources.

The experiment was conducted at the farmer’s fields of three Charlands in Bangladesh during November 2019 to July 2020 for establishing new technologies for enhancement of productivity through innovative soil management practices. The experiments were established in a randomized complete block design using six treatments and three replications. Treatments of the experiments were T1 = FP (Farmers’ Practice) (Control), T2 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Vermicompost (3t/ha), T3 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Quick Compost (3t/ha), T4 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Standard Organic Fertilizers (3t/ha), T5 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Poultry Manure (3t/ha) and T6 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Biochar (3t/ha). The soil status in all selected Charlands were very low to optimum. Results of the experiment showed that application of organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers produced significant (p

The study was conducted to investigate the socio-economic characteristics of the agar farmers, the extent of constraints in agar wood cultivation; and the factors allied with constraints in agar tree farming. Despite the enormous potential of agar (Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb.) production in Bangladesh, it has yet to gain traction due to socioeconomic, technical, and marketing challenges. The cultivation of agar trees is largely centered in the Sylhet region, where a large number of agar farmers engage. This research was carried out in Maulvibazar district's Barlekha upazila (sub-district) to better understand and assess the restrictions and factors that affect agar tree cultivation. A survey was conducted with 120 households during September 2018 to March 2019. Descriptive statistics, rank order, coefficient of correlation, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the data. Out of 12 constraints, the most significant barrier was a lack of funds to engage in agar farming (2.81), which was followed by a lack of technical guidance (2.71). The lack of labor was the least important constraint faced by the farmers (1.43). It was revealed that education, household size, farm size, number of trees per farmer, annual income, experience in agar farming, agar wood cultivation under trees and knowledge of agar cultivation of the farmers were shown to be realized to agar plantation constraints. However, education, farm size, annual revenue, and agar growing experience were identified as major drivers of the degree of agar farming constraints. The study identified various policymakers' potential to address the influencing variables (education, farm size, annual revenue, and agar farming experience) in establishing agar farming. Furthermore, finance facilities, adequate agar farming instruction, and forest department introspection could all help to reduce agar farming obstacles.

The study was conducted to investigate the adoption of IPSA seem and BU pepe1 crop variety by the farmers in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh and Meherpur Sadar upazila of Meherpur districts, respectively in Bangladesh. In-person interviews with 80 respondents and two focus group discussions were carried out to collect data. According to study findings, the highest portion of the respondents were young aged, literate, had medium farm size, low farming experience, and organizational participation and their average annual income were Tk. 192850 and Tk. 200500 for IPSA seem and BU pepe1 growers, respectively. Extent of adoption was above fifty percent in both cases of IPSA seem and BU pepe1 whereas the extent of BU pepe1 adoption was higher than IPSA seem. Performance of IPSA seem and BU pepe1 was satisfactory to the farmers in terms of ease of handling, better marketability and adaptation to the environment, vigor, and better physical appearance. Majority of the IPSA seem and BU pepe1 respondents experienced a medium increase in crop yield while medium to high-income increase by cultivating those varieties. Majority of them had a low to moderate knowledge gap in cultivating IPSA seem and BU pepe1. The major problems faced by the farmers were pod borer infestation, common mosaic virus for IPSA seem while low germination percentage, common mosaic virus for BU pepe1. The study results showed that respondents with small farm sizes were more interested in adopting IPSA seem than others. So, engaging small farmers in cultivating IPSA seem would make this technology more available and popular among the farmers.

Aims: The main objective of the study was to explore the influences of socio-demographic factors of lemon cultivators on accepting pest management practices. Study Design: A total of 120 lemon growers of the Tangail district were selected as samples following the proportionate random sampling technique. Primary data were collected from sampled respondents using a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire by face-to-face interview. Results and Discussion: Findings indicate that majority of the respondents were middle-aged (69.2%), having a secondary level of education (47.5%), small farm size (73.3%), medium family size (57.5%), and medium use of information sources (74.2%). Farmers use chemical, mechanical, and cultural pest management practices, with the majority of respondents had a moderate degree of adoption. Education, annual family income, contact with the source of information, and organizational participation of the respondents showed positive significant relationships with their adoption of pest management practices. High input price, low market price of the product, disease, and pest attack was identified as the major problems faced by the lemon growers. Conclusion: Adoption of pest management practices significantly influenced by socio-economic factors of lemon growers. Hence, agricultural extension agents should step forward to work with different groups of farmers for raising their knowledge of integrated pest control and improve expertise in lemon cultivation. Furthermore, the government should take the requisite steps to address issues such as high production costs, low commodity prices, and disease and pest infestation.

Mobile phone helps in communication and thus, lead to accessing information is gaining popularity in Bangladesh along with many developing countries.In the remote rural areas where mobile network is not up to the expectation yet and scarcity of information is a stark, rural farm women entrepreneur trying to seek information through mobile phone. The focus of the study was to determine the extent and types of information seeking through mobile phones by the rural farm women and explore the contribution of selected characteristics of the rural farm women on the extent of information seeking through mobile phones. The study was conducted in two geographic locations, in the Northern part of Bangladesh Doholpara, and Dakkhinkharibari village under DimlaUpazila, and in the Southern part Borokupot village of ShyamnagarUpazila. A multi-stage sampling technique was followed in conducting the study. The present study was conducted on 150 sampled rural farm women which comprised of 50 from each farm enterprise's crop, fisheries, and livestock. Data were collected by a pre-tested interview schedule that was prepared with simple and direct questions with different appropriate scales from September to December 2020. Along with descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression analysis were also performed. The major findings revealed that the majority of the rural farm women of each three farm enterprises (crop, fisheries, and livestock) in the study area were found in a category of those who seek agricultural information through mobile phone at a medium to a higher level. Findings also revealed that in all three agricultural farm enterprises, rural farm women mostly seek market information i.e. calling market centers, traders, and dealers for checking market price followed by collecting weather forecast and contact with experts during an emergency like information regarding diseases of fish, selection fish fries and contact with the veterinary surgeon or quack doctor regarding domestics animal. Among profile characteristics, family size, experience in managing the farm, attitude towards the mobile phone, and organizational participation were identified as the important contributing factors of the rural farm women in seeking information through mobile phone.

The study aimed at assessing the pest risk and management practices of lemon production and its profitability in Tangail district of Bangladesh. Household survey was conducted by an interview schedule from 120 lemon growers who were selected as sample respondents following a proportionate random sampling technique. Lemon butterfly and dieback disease were identified as important problems in lemon cultivation. Lemon butterfly was found with the highest infestation in Elachi lemon (70.0%) and Kagozi lemon (57.0%). Dieback disease was found with the highest infestation rate of 49.3% in Elachi lemon, 38.0% in Kagozi lemon, and 33.3% in Sakara-2 variety. Almost 82.5 percent of the respondents had medium to high adoption of pest management practices. The adoption of pest management practices was positively related to the profitability of lemon cultivation. However, there is further scope to make pest management practices sustainable by enhancing the adoption of biological, cultural, and mechanical approaches.

The present study was conducted at Ishurdi Upazila under Pabna district, Bangladesh during 2018 to investigate the homestead vegetable production and its impact on calorie supplement as rural farm family nutrition. A total of 90 farm household heads were randomly selected as respondent for the present study from randomly selected three villages of the Upazila. Data were collected through pre-tested interview schedule. More than half of household heads were middle aged group having moderate extension contact and medium annual income categories. More than two-third of them had primary to secondary level of education. Female household heads spent 6.3% time for homestead vegetable cultivation in case of small farm family followed by medium farm family (5.0%) and large farm family (2.1%). Medium farm family intake was about 3.2%, calorie from homestead vegetable garden whereas the small farm family intake was 2.2% and large farm family intake was 1.7% of the same. Marginal and large farm families spent minimum time for homestead vegetable gardening and consume flesher calories from their homestead garden. Lack of quality seeds and capital with high input cost were the most vibrant problems faced by the farm households. Key words: Calorie, food security, homestead, nutrition, production, vegetable gardening.

Tea is a regular export item for Bangladesh, but due to slow growth in production, the country's tea exports have declined. However, organic tea has a great future in this regard. Understanding the status and underlying factors of organic tea farming adoption has great potential to further enhance organic tea production and contribute to sustainable development. Therefore, our main objective was to identify factors influencing tea growers’ attitude, perception and adoption of organic tea farming in the Panchagarh district of Bangladesh. Factors affecting the farmers' belief in the adoption of organic farming were measured based on control factors (marketing factors and cost and benefit factors), attitude towards organic farming and social factors (extension factors) through a binary logistic regression model. This study showed that attitudes towards organic farming and perceptions on different dimensions are the major factors that bring about the adoption of organic farming. We also observed that organic growers had more favorable perception and it was significantly difference than non-organic growers reading various factors on organic farming. Our results demonstrated Education and knowledge greatly influence the farmers to form a highly favorable attitude towards organic tea farming. Moreover, attitudes towards organic farming and cost and benefit factors were indicated as the significant contributors to the adoption of organic tea farming practices. Finally, we suggested a participatory extension program by the Bangladesh Tea Board to change the attitudes and knowledge of the growers towards organic tea farming.

Personal protection equipment (PPE) is used by farmers when dealing with crop protection products. Owing to its relevance, this survey assessed the status of PPE use by the farmers. The survey focused on two districts (Jeshore and Rajshahi) of Bangladesh. Descriptive research design was used to achieve the survey objective including both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 39.5 years with an average annual income of BDT 194,540.0 (USD 2,434.8), having very poor training exposure, but expressed positive perception on PPE use. Upon exposure to any crop protection product, the farmers wash it off immediately, and mostly clean with soap and water within one hour of spray completion. Frequently experienced difficulty was skin burn, and whenever contamination or poisoning occurs local domestic first aid methods were adopted or contact was made to village quacks. Qualitative findings revealed similar information, however, in addition, farmers especially, youth were found to have adopted “traditional PPE,” which involves wearing of trousers, long sleeve shirts, polythene in place of hand gloves and cotton napkin to cover their faces. It was suggested that organized campaigns and effective information dissemination would encourage adequate and proper application of PPE. Use of PPE becomes inevitable for farmers’ safety with advancement in science and technology and its consequential effects. It is, therefore, obvious that the all stakeholders in agriculture and agri-allied industries take awareness creation and training on PPE use as part of their core agenda to avert hazard and ensure safety.

The study was carried out in Charlands of Bangladesh to evaluate the livelihood strategies and crop production status of Charlands dwellers. Total 150 beneficiaries were selected randomly as sample of the study. Socioeconomic data were collected during May to June 2019 using a predetermined interview schedule. People in Charlands of Bangladesh mainly live at the mercy of limited social services, poor income, insecure shelter and illiteracy. Cropping intensity of the Charlands was found very low (145 to 162%) due to limited cultivability of land for long time inundation. Rice, maize, jute, vegetable were the major crops cultivated in the Charlands based on the area coverage. Crop production is less due to unfertile Charlands. Majority of the Charland farmers possessed moderate knowledge on crop management practice having favorable attitude towards the same. Soil management practices were mainly performed using chemical fertilizers ignoring use of organic manures.

Adaptation to climate change impacts in agriculture sector is a particular challenge in the coming decades. Erratic rainfall causes prolonged drought period in the north-western part of Bangladesh which hampers crop production and creates uncertainty of food security. Adoption of drought-tolerant crop variety could be an effective strategy to overcome the challenges of food insecurity. This study examines the adoption quotient of BUdhan1 rice variety and its effect on food insecurity status of the beneficiary farmers in Gaibandha district through a questionnaire survey of 60 sampled respondents. The results reveal that respondent farmers are slowly adopting BUdhan1 rice variety although they provided positive feedback regarding its profitability and attributive characteristics. The farm holding size, knowledge, access to information sources and annual household income was positively related to changes in the adoption of BUdhan1 rice variety. However, the productivity and economic returns from BUdhan1 influenced farmers' decision to continue or discontinue of the rice variety in the future. Notably, the study found a very significant impact of BUdhan1 adoption in eradicating food insecurity from the study area. This study highlighted some other strengths and weaknesses of BUdhan1 rice variety that can be included in the further development, multiplication and dissemination process of this rice variety to make it more climate-smart innovation.

Agribusiness plays a key role in the sustainable economic development of rural poor by fulfilling daily needs. In South Asia, all the countries have a similar pattern of societies, resources, climates, practices, and people located close to each other. Crop cultivation, dairy production, fishery, and forestry are the main agribusiness sectors for trading agricultural produce in markets. In contrast, factors (i.e., global warming due to climate change, natural calamity, environmental pollution, unsafe foodstuff, labor unavailability, marketing limitations, and financial crisis) are responsible for a serious fatal to agribusiness activities. Unless we uproot challenges, agribusiness cannot contribute effectively to the economy of developing nations in South Asia. Thus, future strategies may be standing on contemporary scientific research approaches on crop science, restoring resources, controlling food quality, introducing modern types of machinery, best marketing practices, and inclusive financing.

Self-assessment is a vital mechanism for identifying strong and weak points of an educational institute and a pivotal prerequisite for accreditation. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess the quality of BS(Agriculture) program of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) in respect of its curriculum, teachers and staffs, teaching-learning assessment system, institutional structure and facilities, knowledge and skill development, recruitment system, and student support and counseling. Data were collected from relevant stakeholders such as teachers, students, supporting staff, alumni, and employers using a semi-structured interview schedule. The findings of the study revealed that BS(Agriculture) program of BSMRAU is running smoothly maintaining good quality standards in most of the considering parameters. However, it lacks an internship program and ICT facilities to the students. Besides, there is a scope for further improvement of the transport, health care, and extracurricular facilities for the students.

Background To expand the biotechnology market, the opinions of professionals toward biotechnological products are highly valuable for the industry personnel, government policy-makers, and others for taking appropriate decision. Bangladesh is considered as a highly potential country for marketing biotechnological products. It is indispensable to know the present status and future potentiality of biotechnological products to develop a demand-driven market in Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess attitude and consumption of professionals working in public and private organizations in Bangladesh toward biotechnological products. Methods The data were collected by simple random sampling model, while structured questionnaire provided by the researchers. Collected data were analysed by using Chi-square and logistic regression tests. Results Findings reveal that Bangladeshi professionals have an optimistic viewpoint about biotechnology and its products. However, age and education of the respondents had a significant effect on their attitude towards biotechnological products. The most common biotechnological products used by respondents were genetically modified (GM) soybean oil, antibiotics, skin care cream, stress-resistant hybrid rice and vaccine in Bangladesh. Most of the respondents demonstrated a pessimistic consumption level of biotechnological products that showed a menace toward the progress of biotechnology in Bangladesh. However, none of the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents had a significant effect on the consumption of biotechnological products, but private-sector respondents had a more sanguine stance to consume biotechnological products compared to public-sector respondents. Conclusion The favourable attitude and marginal consumption of professional toward biotechnological products reveal that it is important to expand the application of biotechnology to ensure food and nutritional security of Bangladesh. This study includes a limited number of professionals from public and private sectors who have been involved in biotechnological products in Bangladesh. The findings and suggestions for this study might be useful for food producers, industry and food policy makers involved in biotechnological production in Bangladesh.

The primary purpose of the study was to assess the extent of knowledge and perception of extension workers towards ICT utilization and to determine the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and knowledge and perception of extension workers towards ICT utilization in extension service delivery. The study was conducted in Gazipur district and comprised proportionate random sample of 90 extension workers from five upazila of Gazipur district. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents. To measure the knowledge on ICT utilization 35 statements were selected regarding 7 ICT with five possible answer of each tools and a score of one was given to the right answer and zero to the wrong answer alternatively to measure the perception of the respondents rated each of 10 statements ICT utilization in agriculture on a 5-point Likert type scale and the total of these ratings formed perception index. The result of the study showed that out of seven ICT tools the knowledge of extension workers was highest in case of MS Word this was followed by internet/ web service and the lowest knowledge was found in case of Geographical Information System. It is observed that an overwhelming majority (88.9%) of agricultural extension workers in the study area had low to medium knowledge towards ICT utilization. Findings reveal that the respondents had top most perception on the ICT utilization in respect of ‘Extension work can be greatly enhanced by ICT’ followed by on ‘The benefits of ICT use outweigh the financial burden involved’. The result also indicated that more than fourth-fifth (84.4%) of the respondents had medium to high perception towards ICT utilization. There were significant relationship between service experience and use of the information sources of the respondents with their knowledge towards ICT utilization conversely innovativeness, cosmopoliteness and job satisfaction of the respondents showed positive significant relationship with their perception towards ICT utilization. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22647 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 46-52, December, 2014

The main focus of the study was to determine the food security status of the women involved in food for work program in terms of access to food (meals/day/person) and intake of energy (kilo calorie) and to explore the relationship between some selected characteristics of the beneficiaries with the changes in food security. The study was conducted in Kapasia upazila of Gazipur district during July 2013 to September 2013. Data were collected through pre-tested interview schedule. One hundred and ten women were selected following simple random sampling method. All of the family members of the respondents used to take three-meals/day when Food for Work Program (FFW) program was ongoing. More than four-fifth (84.55%) of the household members received optimum to above optimum kcal/day when FFW was running, but only three-fifth (60.90%) of the respondents’ family members took optimum to above optimum kcal/day when FFW program did not run. “Optimum level” and “above optimum level” calorie in taking family members increased by 12.73 percent and 10.91 percent, respectively when FFW program was running. The difference between per capita calorie intake by the respondents and their family members when FFW program was and was not running was found significant. Correlation analyses showed that annual income and credit facility had positive and significant relationship with contribution of FFW program on changes in food security status of the beneficiaries. The Agriculturists 2014; 12(2) 83-90

The present study was carried out to assess the existing status of compost usage on vegetable production and determine the overall effect of household waste compost (HWC) on growth and yield of vegetables and enhancement of soil fertility in the monga areas of Bangladesh. A field survey was conducted on 152 sampled farmers during 2010 to 2011. Questionnaire containing both closed and open-ended questions were used to assess existing production practices of vegetables using compost in both homestead and field conditions. Three field trials at Badargonj and Kawnia upazilas of Rangpur district were conducted taking four treatments i.e. control, recommended doses (RD) of fertilizers, HWC at the rate of 10 tha -1 , and HWC 10 t ha -1 plus RD as IPNS based with Lal shak, Palong shak, Pui shak and Tomato. Base line survey results indicated inadequate knowledge of the farmers on use and preparation of the household waste compost. Yield data of all vegetables i.e. Tomato, Lal shak, Palong shak and Pui shak indicated that the combined application of nutrients using organic and inorganic sources were significantly better than that of solitary application of inorganic fertilizers. The potential of household waste compost applied @ 10 t ha -1 along with inorganic fertilizers applied was found highly satisfactory in producing Tomato, where yield was recorded 75 t ha -1 in the study area. The fresh yield of Palong shak was found 16 t ha -1 when recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers were applied, but it was about 19 t ha -1 under combined application of HWC @ 10 t ha -1 and inorganic fertilizers following IPNS concept. The fresh yield of Pui shak was found about 49 t ha -1 under combined application of organic and inorganic nutrients. Considering the availability and costs of different composts, it is evinced that HWC contained good amount of NPK which indicates its potentiality to be used as a soil amendment, improving soil fertility and crop productivity. It can be an alternative to chemical fertilizer to increase soil microbial populations and enzyme activities and to promote the soil nutrient for horticultural crops in the unfertile areas especially in the monga areas of Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22640 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 22-28, December, 2014

Social media are contemporary digital communication means comprising various tools that allow interaction among people and information exchange worldwide. Its active users have reached around 3 billion globally as at April, 2017. Since agricultural extension service delivery is primarily a communication process, proper integration of social media is necessary. However, owing to the conducted researches so far the present paper was centred on making an overview of the current perspective of social media and agricultural extension service delivery. Evidences obtained revealed that there are many social media platforms being used in agricultural extension service delivery worldwide with Facebook having highest popularity (64.7%). Most of the agricultural stakeholders using social media are versatile users (33.5%) who usually visit only to find information (75.7%). Many challenges are currently faced in using social media for agricultural extension service delivery; viz. illiteracy, shortage of infrastructure, limited participation, non-institutionalisation, lack of quality control, lack of adequate yardstick for measuring impact and need for gender sensitive approach. In general, social media is gradually appreciated in agricultural extension service delivery, but faced with challenges. Thus, the necessity to put structures in place and required efforts by all stakeholders to ensure good use of its benefits.

The main purpose of this study was to determine women’s participation in rice mills of Sherpur sadar upazila of Bangladesh. Ninety respondents were selected using cluster random sampling method. The researchers personally collected data from August to September 2012. Aimed at explaining the assessment of the present status of women worker of rice mills and explored the relationship between their selected characteristics and extent of participation. Majority of the respondents had long experience in working in the rice mill and almost everybody had participation around the year. Women were mostly involved in drying and on an average spent time for helping in husking machine operating (3.02 hours) followed by final drying of paddy (2.05 hours), drying the paddy before boiling (1.25 hours), piling the paddy (1.12 hours), cleaning the threshing floor (1.05 hours), packing the rice (1.02 hours) per day. They worked about 8-10 hours per day. Results show that the women worker’s performance decreased with the increase of their age. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i1.21089 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (1): 36-39, June, 2014