scholarly journals The first GM crop in Bangladesh – Bt Eggplant

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-55
Author(s):  
AKM Quamruzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Solanum Melongena ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Technical Committee ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Gm Crop ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
National Technical ◽  
The Government ◽  
Crop Biotechnology

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) commonly called Brinjal is the most popular vegetable in Bangladesh. It is extensively cultivated around homesteads and in commercial fields throughout the year. It is estimated that nearly 67 percent of the eggplant crop yield in Bangladesh is lost due to the damage caused by Leucinodes orbonalis also known as eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB). EFSB is reportedly the most serious pest of eggplant. To overcome this EFSB problem Bt eggplant project has been initiated in 2004. The Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII) is a USAID-supported project that has funded the development of Bt eggplant in Bangladesh under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) received the Event EE-1 eggplant in Mahyco and backcrossed into nine popular eggplant varieties of Bangladesh selected based on the regional consumer preference. The efficacy of cry1Ac gene in providing effective resistance to the target pest was also assessed in terms of productively (fruit yield increase) which was studied in 9 Bt eggplant lines for a period of 7 years from 2008 to 2015. To launch the best 4 varieties, BARI applied to the National Technical Committee on Crop Biotechnology (NTCCB). For release of GM crop variety, first of all follow the recommendation of NTCCB, then submitted to the National Technical Committee on Crop Biotechnology (NTCCB) Core Committee and then to the National Committee on Biosafety (NCB). The Bangladesh government approved four varieties namely, BARI Bt Begun-1 (Uttara), BARI Bt Begun-2 (Kazla), BARI Bt Begun-3 (Nayantara) and BARI Bt Begun-4 (BARI Begun-6 or ISD006) on 30 October 2013 and these got momentum countrywide. On 22 January 2014, Bt seedlings were distributed among 20 farmers in four districts of Bangladesh as the first genetically modified (GM) crops. After the government of Bangladesh approved the cultivation of Bt eggplant in 2013, its popularity is increasing day by day and the socio-economic condition of the farmers is also improving. Bt eggplant started its journey in 2014 with only 20 farmers, in seven years it has grown to about 27012 farmers and from 8 acres to about 5,000 acres. This advancement of Bt eggplant has also faced opposition from different quarters at different times. Today, the progress of Bt eggplant continues by overcoming all obstacles. Field days, trainings, various publications, documentary making, use of mass and social media, observations, workshops, stewardship activities are acting as important regulators of this progress.

scholarly journals The Contract-Programs in Universities: Lessons from the International Comparison

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Ana M. García de Fanelli
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
External Assessment ◽  
Negotiation Processes ◽  
The Government ◽  
University Quality

In 2005, the Ministry of Education of Argentina launched a new policy to allocate public funds to national universities: the contractualization policy. Its purpose is to allocate funds to improve teaching quality based on an institutional plan defined by each university. It is expected that this plan addresses the main weaknesses detected during the external assessment coordinated by the National Committee of University Assessment and Accrediting (CONEAU). This paper presents the main findings of a research project carried out to help in the design of this contractualization policy. The two most important antecedents, the French and the Catalonian cases, are examined through the study of official documents, on-site observation of the French negotiation processes, and interviews with government and university key officials. The study concludes with the main lessons learned from these experiences and shows that this mechanism has clear advantages when aligning the strategic objectives that the government and universities have, in order to improve university quality.

The evaluation of economically important traits of promising genotypes of Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.)) in the south of Central Siberia

2021 ◽  
pp. 39-42
Author(s):  
В.Ф. Кадоркина ◽  
М.С. Шевцова
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Vegetative Reproduction ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Psathyrostachys Juncea ◽  
Russian Wildrye ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Green Mass Yield

Исследования проводились в сухостепной зоне Республики Хакасия в 2018–2020 годах с целью оценки и отбора перспективных селекционных образцов ломкоколосника ситникового по хозяйственно ценным признакам. Материалом исследований служили 16 образцов, высеянных семенами, и 8 сортообразцов вегетативного способа размножения, отобранных из питомника исходного материала 2015 года посева и в дальнейшем проанализированных в селекционных питомниках. В качестве стандарта взят сорт селекции Якутского НИИСХ Манчаары. В период вегетации проводились учёты и фенологические наблюдения за развитием растений. Работа проведена в соответствии с методическими указаниями по селекции кормовых культур. Исходя из биологических особенностей ломкоколосника ситникового, с целью увеличения урожайности семян для дальнейшей селекционной работы при вегетативном размножении их можно получить уже на второй год жизни. По основным показателям семенной продуктивности в селекционном питомнике вегетативного размножения отобраны образцы А 1, А 2, А 6 и А 12, также эти биотипы отмечены и по скороспелости: период от начала вегетации до созревания семян составил 88–94 дня. По кормовой продуктивности достоверная прибавка получена у А 1, А 2, А 6, А 10, А 12. В селекционном питомнике семенного размножения по основным показателям кормовой продуктивности выделены номера А 1, А 3, А 4.1, превышающие стандарт (сорт Манчаары) по продуктивности зелёной массы в 1,4–1,8 раза, по продуктивности сухой массы — в 1,2–1,6 раза. В этом питомнике образцы сформировали продуктивные стебли только на третий год жизни. The research was conducted in the dry steppe of the Republic of Khakassia in 2018–2020 to evaluate and select promising genotypes of Russian wildrye. The objects of this study were 16 genotypes grown from seeds and 8 genotypes of vegetative reproduction obtained from the nursery of parent material in 2015. Variety “Manchaary” from the Yakutian Agricultural Research Institute performed as the standard. Plant phenology was analyzed according to the recommended methods for forage crop breeding. To increase seed yield for plant breeding vegetative reproduction of Russian wildrye can be of great importance allowing seed production in the second year already. Genotypes A1, A2, A6, and A12 showed the highest seed productivity in the nursery of vegetative reproduction. They also were characterized by rapid maturation: the period from germination to maturation amounted to 88–94 days. A1, A2, A6, A10, and A12 had significant forage yield increase. Genotypes A1, A3, and A4.1 showed the best feed productivity in the nursery of seed reproduction. They exceeded the standard by 1.4–1.8 times in green mass yield and 1.2–1.6 times — in dry mass productivity. Genotypes formed productive stems only in the third year in the nursery.

Roles of Contractors in Implementing Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC) in Construction Projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (S1) ◽  
pp. 53-69
Author(s):  
Mohd Shazreen Seman ◽  
Mohd Reza Esa ◽  
Mohd Reeza Yusof
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Technical Committee ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Industry Standard ◽  
The Government ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

In recent decades, the construction industry has been widely criticized for its lack of efficiency and productivity, and it has been shown that the Malaysian construction industry records poor quality on its projects. To overcome this issue, the Technical Committee on Quality Assessment in Construction with the support of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has introduced Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC). QLASSIC is a scoring system that is used to assess and evaluate the performance of construction buildings. It is based on the Construction Industry Standard (CIS 7:2006). Unfortunately, this assessment system had poor implementation since its introduction in November 2006. QLASSIC was not extensively implemented and was taken lightly by the contractors and developers in Malaysia. There are still a huge number of contractors that are not aware of QLASSIC even the big construction companies. Thus, this research is aimed at investigating the contractor’s perspective towards the implementation of QLASSIC in the construction industry in Malaysia. Three objectives are developed to achieve the aim: (1) identification of the needs to implement QLASSIC; (2) investigation of issues and challenges to implement QLASSIC and (3) recommendation of strategies to implement QLASSIC. Structured questionnaire surveys were distributed to the G7 and G6 contractors in the Klang Valley area; which may have or may not have experience in implementing QLASSIC in their projects. The result revealed that majority of the respondents were aware and understand the needs of QLASSIC implementation, but there were still few who were unfamiliar with the QLASSIC. The current level of implementation of QLASSIC in Malaysia is still not satisfactory due to several issues and challenges acting as barriers to its implementation. Therefore, the initiatives from the government are important to promote QLASSIC implementation in the construction industry. By doing this, the contractors would be aware of the implementation of QLASSIC in the construction industry. The significance of this research is that it will assist contractors and other construction players in comprehending the implications and importance of QLASSIC implementation.

George Douglas Hutton Bell. 18 October 1905 – 27 June 1993

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
Ralph Riley ◽  
John Enderby
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Wheat Variety ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Wheat Breeding ◽  
Malting Quality ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Plant Breeding Institute ◽  
The Government

Douglas Bell was the doyen of British plant breeders. He worked to turn what was previously a craft that made some use of science into a science–based technology.Having taken a first–class honours degree at the University College of Wales (Bangor), Bell went to the Cambridge University Plant Breeding Institute in 1928. There he worked under the supervision of F. L. (later Sir Frank) Engledow (FRS 1946). His PhD research concerned genetic variability in barley varieties, and barley remained his principal interest henceforth. At the height of his powers Bell was able rapidly to assess the agricultural potential of wide arrays of genetically distinct lines. This was based on keen observation and the ability to discriminate among many characteristics simultaneously. It often seemed like intuition. At the same time he was a keen judge of the malting quality of barley grain and was often called on to exercise his skill in competitions.After completing the PhD requirements, Bell continued to work with Engledow in the Cambridge School of Agriculture, first as a demonstrator and then as a lecturer. Generations of students praised the clarity of his lectures. From Engledow he inherited an interest in the components of yield in cereals. Starting with the number of ears per plant, spikelets per ear, grains per spikelet and grain weight he became interested in the physiology of yield. This subsequently led him to promote attempts to use physiological characteristics to predict yielding ability in the selection of new varieties. Also during this period Bell assisted Engledow in wheat breeding, work that resulted in the development of the breadmaking winter–wheat variety Holdfast.Bell's leadership in plant breeding came to its full realization when he became Director of the Plant Breeding Institute (PBI), Cambridge, in 1947. The government had decided in the immediate postwar period to expand agricultural research in the UK. Numbers of free–standing research establishments were created with the general responsibility for them vested in the Agricultural Research Council. Under these arrangements the PBI was separated from Cambridge University. As Director, Bell together with the governing body set a policy for the institute. It was then his responsibility to choose a site (Trumpington, Cambridge), recruit a staff and plan the buildings and facilities including the farm.

Environmental Protection and Regulations in India: Role of the Central Pollution Control Board

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prakash Chand
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Control Board ◽  
Central Pollution Control Board ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Control

Since independence, Indian policymakers have attempted to address environmental problems by passing a number of rules and regulations as per the vision of the constitution and in response to the requirement of time. However, due to the prevalent poverty and the developmental compulsions of the nation, environment and its protection was not a priority of the government till the end of the 1960s. But, the 1972 Stockholm Conference on Human Environment brought a marked shift in India’s approach to environmental issues. The conference proved to be a turning point in India’s perception on environment and facilitated the creation of the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Co-ordination (NCEPC) in 1972. The NCEPC triggered a rise in environmental legislation, beginning with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, which provided for the creation of Pollution Control Boards for the control of water pollution at national and state levels and empowered them to enforce the law. The boards were later empowered to deal with air pollution by Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 and acted as regulatory mechanisms to environmental protection. This article primarily deals with the role of the Central Pollution Control Board as a regulatory authority to environmental protection and regulations in India.

Planting Seeds for the Revolution: The Rise of Russian Agricultural Science, 1860–1920

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Elina
Keyword(s):  
Russian Agricultural Science ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Agricultural Science ◽  
University Professors ◽  
Grain Markets ◽  
Science In Russia ◽  
The Government ◽  
Institutional Network ◽  
Role Of The Government

ArgumentState patronage and the modernizing role of the government have been considered crucial for the development of science in Russia during both Imperial and Soviet periods. This paper argues, on the contrary, that the start of Russian agricultural science had predominantly local and non-governmental sources of support. Amateur experiments by nobles aspiring to become “cultured” landlords, university professors applying their scientific knowledge to their own estates, and the efforts by local community administrations, zemstvo, to compete for grain markets all contributed, by 1900, to the establishment of various stations for agricultural research. The Imperial government became involved in this process rather belatedly, with an effort to further stimulate and coordinate the institutional network of agricultural science. By 1917, this network included more than 300 breeding and experimental stations. Despite revolutionary violence and the loss of former patrons, most of these stations managed to maintain their functions throughout the Civil War and formed the basis of Soviet agricultural science.

Consumer preference and demand for traceable food attributes

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (9) ◽  
pp. 2140-2156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiao Lu ◽  
Linhai Wu ◽  
Shuxian Wang ◽  
Lingling Xu
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Multinomial Logit Model ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Traceability ◽  
Traceability System ◽  
Chinese Consumer ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper with pork as a case is to analyze Chinese consumer preference and demand for traceable food attributes, in order to provide a useful reference for Chinese Government in developing the safe food market and preventing food safety risks. Design/methodology/approach This research surveyed 1,380 consumers in seven pilot cities that designated by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce for the construction of a meat and vegetable circulation traceability system. A choice-based conjoint analysis and multinomial logit model were used to study consumer preferences and demand for traceable pork attributes. Findings The results demonstrated that certification of traceable information was the most important characteristic, followed by appearance and traceable information. Significant heterogeneity was obtained in consumer preferences for the attributes of traceable pork. Also, consumers’ preferences for traceable attributes were memorably influenced by age, education level, and income level. Social implications Based on these results, the government should encourage and support the production of traceable food with different certification types and different traceability levels. Meanwhile, the development of food traceability systems should be combined with a quality certification labeling system. Originality/value This study extends the applicability of the setting of traceable food attributes and levels in China, and it will improve Chinese food traceability systems through multilateral cooperation.

scholarly journals AGRICULTURAL SEED FINANCING: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRODUCTIVITY AND EXPORT EARNINGS FOR NIGERIA ECONOMY

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 228-245
Author(s):  
ZUBERU ◽  
ILIYA ◽  
YUSUF ◽  
SALIHU
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Exchange ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Agricultural Export ◽  
The Government ◽  
Production Output

Since the discovery of oil, there has been a drastic decline in agricultural exports as percentage of total exports declined from about 43% to slightly over 7% between 1970 and 1974, as a result of the oil price shocks of 1973 – 1974 which resulted in large receipts of foreign exchange earnings by Nigeria and the neglect of agriculture. There have been series of declines in agricultural export since the mid-1970s at an average annual decline rate of 17 percent and by 1996, agricultural export accounted for only 2 percent of total exports, hence, making Nigeria net importer of basic food stuff. With this continual decline, the agricultural sector no longer earns enough foreign exchange through exports. Hence, this study investigates implications of agricultural seed financing on increased productivity output and export earnings in Nigeria. The choice of research design employed in this study is the archival and documentary research strategy, associated with the deductive approach, which involved secondary data collection. The population comprised 16 years data on total annual financial expenditure on agricultural seed improvement, agricultural productivity output and export earnings from 2000 to 2015 (16 years). Secondary data on cumulative annual expenditure on seed financing (SIF), Agricultural productivity (AP) indicator and export earnings (EE) were employed. The findings revealed that, findings revealed that Seed improvement financing has a significant impact on increased Agricultural production output and that there is a significant relationship between Agricultural production output and increased export earnings in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended that, there is need for the government to increase funding for agricultural research and also access international grants, as this will help increase variety of high yield seeds and subsequently increase agricultural production output, which will increase agro related export earnings in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Enhancement of the Productivity of Groundnut in Malawi through the Combined Use of Inoculants and Foliar Application of Nutrients

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-28
Author(s):  
Austin T. Phiri ◽  
Pacsu Simwaka ◽  
Daniel Kausiwa
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Significant Difference

Low productivity characterizes the production of groundnut among smallholder farmers in Malawi. There is a need to explore options capable of increasing the productivity of the crop sustainably more especially under the changing climate. Against this background, experiments were conducted during the 2016/17 cropping season to investigate the potential to enhance the productivity of groundnut in Malawi through the combined use of inoculants (Graph-Ex and Histick-BASF) and foliar application of nutrients using Allwin fertilizer (legumes). The experiments were established at Bvumbwe and Chitala Agricultural research Stations and were laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated four times. Data collected were analyzed in Genstat Discovery Edition 4 and were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 95% level of confidence. Means were separated by the least significant difference (LSD0.05). In general, foliar application of Allwin fertilizer alone particularly when conducted twice at two and four weeks after emergence produced a positive significant (p<0.05) groundnut grain yield response (97.8-170.8%) above the control. The yield increase is attributable to enhanced growth and development of the groundnut through the foliar supply of nutrients. In general, under the changing climate and amidst other constraints foliar feeding of nutrients using Allwin fertilizer alone particularly when conducted twice can increase significantly groundnut productivity in Malawi.

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