Cost Estimations of Water Pollution for the Adoption of Suitable Water Treatment Technology

This study analyzed the cost implications of using suitable technologies and the cost of inaction when addressing water pollution. This was achieved by developing three main models for the costs (model one) and benefits (model two and model three). The first model accounts for the operational costs of adopting suitable technologies, namely the use of diatomaceous earth for textile wastewater treatment. The second model analyzed the cost of inaction through analyzing the cost of treatment for water pollution-related diseases for the affected population. The occurrence and cost of treatment for three diseases, namely diarrhea, amoebiasis and bacterial infection, were used as indicators of water pollution in the area. The third model included the contingent valuation method (CVM) data on the willingness to pay for environmental restoration of the surveyed population. The benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of the resulting data from the three models were used to highlight the economic viability of the proposed project. A BCR of (0.67) for the cost of the proposed project versus the benefits of the project on human health using data from one hospital was obtained. There is a high possibility that the real BCR would increase if more data from other hospitals or other diseases were included. The results imply that the use of D.E can be considered a good candidate for treating wastewater. To thoroughly discuss the BCR of treating wastewater from one factory, the BCR of the proposed restoration project along River Sosiani, and the value of using DE as suitable technology, more studies are needed to evaluate the unaccounted costs and benefits for accurate economic estimations of the proposed project. The outcome of the study is a framework of numbers and figures that can be presented to decision makers and policy makers as critical information when making decisions.

Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars to Variable Rate of Nitrogen under Wet Direct Seeding in Temperate Ecology

Transplanting rice appears to pose many problems, including depletion of freshwater reservoirs and competition for labor. Conversely, direct seeding allows us to overcome shortcomings associated with conventional transplanting. Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient needed for plant growth and yield. Therefore, this study was executed to analyze the influence of nitrogen on the performance of rice genotypes grown by direct seeding in wet soil. The experiment comprised various rice cultivars, i.e., Shalimar Rice-1, Shalimar Rice-3, Shalimar Rice-4, and Jhelum, and nitrogen (N) levels, i.e., 0, 90, 120, and 150 kg/ha. Shalimar Rice-4 produced a maximum grain yield (6.39 t/ha), followed by Shalimar Rice-3 and Jhelum). The application of 150 kg N/ha showed maximum values for growth parameters, yield attributing traits, and grain yield (6.68 t/ha); however, it remained at par with 120 kg N/ha. Crop water productivity was highest in Shalimar Rice-4 (0.49 kg/m3), and the same showed a consistent increase with increasing N levels from 0–150 kg/ha, with a comparable value of 0.49 to 0.51 recorded at 120 and 150 kg N/ha. Moreover, the Shalimar Rice-1 variety required the maximum in growing degree days (GDD) and helio-thermal units (HTU) to attain different phenological stages till physiological maturity (131 days). However, the cultivar Shalimar rice-4 (SR-4) performed better by registering significantly higher heat use efficiency (HUE) (4.44 kg/ha °C/day). Additionally, the highest net return and the benefit-cost ratio were registered by Shalimar Rice-4. B:C ratio of 1.75 was realized from application of 150 kg N/ha, which remained very close to that achieved with 120 kg N/ha. In conclusion, the rice cultivar Shalimar Rice-4 with the application of 120 kg N/ha could boost rice production under DSR in water-scarce regions of temperate northern India.

Analysis of alternative selection for vertical clearance design under Tabalong Bridge of PT Adaro Indonesia

PT Adaro Indonesia is trying to adjust a vertical clearance under Tabalong Bridge 1 (unloaded) and Tabalong Bridge 2 (loaded) because the existing conditions still apply a minimum vertical clearance of 4 m. I t should be in accordance with latest Regulation of the Minister of Public Works No. 19/PRT/M/2011 that for vertical clearance above national road at least 5.1 m. This specification has not been met by the national road under the Tabalong 1 & 2 Bridges bec ause both bridges were built in the 90s. Therefore we need an engineering technique to overcome this. There are 2 alternative designs, namely lowering the elevation of the national road and increasing the elevation of the bridge's upper structure to mitiga te oversized vehicles so as not to hit the lower structure of the Tabalong bridge. In determining the selection of the best alternative designs in this research is based on two (2) things, non financial criteria with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and financial criteria with Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)/Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) method. This study uses a survey method by distributing questionnaires and interviews as a means of collecting primary data. In addition, previous research and consultant DED documents were used as a means of collecting secondary data. The AHP method is used to process primary data to produce a decision from a non financial aspect. While the LCC/BCR method is used to process secondary data to produce a decision from the financi al aspect . The results of the AHP analysis obtained that the synthesis value of the decision the option of lowering national roads was 85% and the bridge lifting option was 15% and the consistency ratio (CR) was 0.05 < 0.1. The consistency ratio below 0.1 shows that the questionnaire data from the respondents are consistent. The results of the analysis of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) obtained the option of lowering national roads where the LCC value is Rp. 44,877,651,669.27 more economical than the bridge lifting option. Then the results of the Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) analysis obtained the option of lowering national roads with a BCR value of 2.33 > 1 and NPV = Rp. 43,442,264,804.34 > 1 means that the option lowering national roads is feasible. While the bridge li fting option is obtained by analyzing the value of BCR = 0.98 < 1 and NPV = option is not feasible to implement.

Appraisal of Cluster Front Line Demonstration on Rapeseed and Mustard in Biharand Jharkhand

Performance of ten varieties of rapeseed and mustard were assessed through cluster frontline demonstration (CFLD) under different agro-climatic condition of Bihar and Jharkhandcontinuously for four years (2017-18 to 2020-21) by the KVKs of Bihar and Jharkhand.Among the agro-climatic zones of Bihar, highest yield was recorded in the demonstratedplot from zone III (B) i.e. South-West alluvial plain in case of variety RH 0749 (15.29 q/ha) and in Jharkhand state from zone I (Central and North astern plateau) with varietyNRCHB 101 (13.31 q/ha). Lowest technology index was observed for variety RajendraSufalam in all the zone (-4.96, 5.53, 7.18 and 22.92 % in zone I, III (B), III (A) & II) ofBihar and NRCHB 101 (23.15% in zone I) in Jharkhand. The range of extension gapwas1.38 to 4.37 and 1.13 to 4.86 q/ha under the agro-climatic zone of Bihar and Jharkhand,respectively. Pooled data shows that in Bihar, maximum net return (Rs. 46986 /ha) wasobtained in variety Rajendra Sufalam in agro-climatic zone III A of Bihar with benefit costratio 3.85:1 whereas under agro-climatic condition of Jharkhand maximum net return (Rs.39598 /ha) was recoded from variety NRCHB 101 with benefit cost ratio 2.80:1

​Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Productivity and Economics of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.), Chickpea (Cicer aeritinum L.) and Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Old Alluvial Zone of Malda, West Bengal, India

Background: There are significant gaps in yields of pulses among potential, demonstration and farmers’ plots in West Bengal. This is mostly due to adoption of traditional local varieties and poor cultivation practices. Methods: The yield, technology and extension gaps were studied on improved varieties of lentil, chickpea and field pea during rabi seasons of 2017/18-2020/21 in 80 hectare area of Malda, West Bengal with 205 farmers. Result: The highest and lowest magnitude of technology index (TI) was observed in field pea var. IPFD-10-12 (44.5%) during 2018/19 and in lentil var. KL-320 (30.1%) during 2020/21. Among lentil varieties, the highest benefit cost ratio was obtained from KL-320 (2.87) whereas in case of chickpea, it was obtained from NBEG-49 (2.90). For field pea var. IPFD-10-12 the benefit cost ratio was 2.70. Maximum and minimum extension yield gaps were observed in field pea var. IPFD-10-12 (451 kg ha-1) during 2018/19 and in lentil var. IPL-406 (145 kg ha-1) during 2018/19. Overall assessment reflects lentil var. KL-320, chickpea variety NBEG-49 and field pea variety IPFD-10-12 have good potentiality and most suitable for this region. So, it is hypothesized that improved farm technology has enormous potential to scale up pulse productivity through cluster front line demonstration (CFLD).

Performance of High Yielding Promising Sugarcane Variety for Western Zone of Tamilnadu

Sugarcane is an important commercial crop cultivated in over 23,000 ha in Erode district of TamilNadu state. Attempts were made by researchers and extension workers to improve the productivity of sugarcane by adopting high yielding varieties and improved production technologies. The on-farm trials were conducted during Kharif 2017 and 2018 in five farmers’ field to assess the performance of high yielding promising sugarcane varieties suitable for Western Zone of TamilNadu. The varieties selected for trial were Co 86032 and Co 0212. The study revealed that Co 0212 recorded more number of productive tillers per plant (10.4), intermodal length (14.51 cm), stem girth (11.22) and individual cane weight (1.511 kg) which was superiorly higher than the existing variety Co 86032. Similarly Co 0212 recorded the yield of 127.5 ton / ha during 2017 which was 17.24 per cent higher yield than the existing variety and 138.86 ton / ha recorded and 30.68 per cent yield advantage was noticed in the ratoon crop. The highest benefit cost ratio of 2.44 was recorded in Co 0212 in ratoon crop and 2.05 in first crop where as 1.73 and 1.86 BCR observed in Co 86032 in first and ratoon crop respectively. Considering the above facts, Co 0212 would be identified as a better alternate variety suitable for the Western Zone of TamilNadu

Economics of Small Tea Farming System (STFS): An in-depth Study of North Bengal,India

The study was conducted to find out the pattern of labour engagement (both family andhired labour), price realization of different type of small tea growers and economic analysisof the small tea growing system. Small tea growers of Jalpaiguri and Uttar Dinajpur districtof West Bengal were selected purposively. The present study mainly considered primarydata for analysis and a small amount of secondary data was also collected from records ofConfederation of Indian Small Tea Growers’ Association (CISTA) and Self-Help Group(SHG) registers. It has been found that there is a variation in price of green leaves in bothdistricts and higher rates are observed in the month of March. SHGs with own processingunits were found to fetch higher prices compared to other units because of their collectivebargaining power, absence of middlemen and owing co-operative processing units. Numberof such SHGs, with processing units were found in Jalpaiguri district whereas, UttarDinajpur district recorded no SHG with own processing units. The economic analysis alsopresented a clear picture about fixed and operational cost, gross return with or withoutdividend and benefit cost ratio.

Pengaruh Pemberian Temulawak (Curcuma xhanthorrhiza) terhadap Pertambahan Bobot Badan Kambing di Desa Sukaresik, Kecamatan Sindangkasih, Kabupaten Ciamis

Populasi kambing di Desa Sindangkasih pada tahun 2020 adalah 1135 ekor. Jumlah tersebut sangat potensial untuk ditingkatkan kembali dengan cara memanipulasi pakan. Salah satu teknik manipulasi pakan yang dapat dilakukan adalah dengan pemberian tepung temulawak. Penelitian bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh pemberian tepung temulawak terhadap pertambahan bobot badan ternak kambing dan menganalisis usaha penggemukan ternak kambing yang diberi tepung temulawak. Materi yang digunakan adalah kambing lokal dengan rataan bobot badan awal 20,5 kg. Metode penelitian menggunakan kaji terap 2 perlakuan yaitu P0=kontrol dan P1 = kontrol + tepung temulawak 12 gr/ekor + 40 ml air. Peubah yang diukur dalam kaji terap adalah pertambahan bobot badan harian (PBBH). Peubah analisis usaha yang dihitung diantaranya pendapatan, B/C ratio, R/C ratio, BEP harga, BEP Produksi dan Marginal Benefit Cost Ratio (MBCR). Data dianalisis menggunakan Independent t-test. Data analisis usaha dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil kaji terap yang dilakukan pada ternak kambing menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan yang nyata dengan pemberian tepung temulawak terhadap PBBH. Hasil analisis usaha pada kedua perlakuan menunjukkan untuk perlakuan P1 lebih menguntungkan peternak dengan pendapatan Rp 1.329.145. Nilai R/C ratio dan B/C ratio paling tinggi pada P1 dan nilai MBCR sebesar 23,132. Secara finansial pendapatan paling tinggi yaitu pada P1 dengan pemberian tepung temulawak 12 gr + 40 ml air, artinya pemberian tepung temulawak mampu memeningkatkan bobot badan kambing dan pendapatan peternak di Desa Sukaresik.

Energy Efficiency and Econometric Analysis of Organic Kiwifruit (Actinidia Deliciosa A. Chev.) Production

The energy exchange ratio of cultivation and different parameter values of input affecting the organic production of kiwifruit in the mid-hill Himalayan region of India during 2017 and 2018 was determined. The experimental trial was divided into 7 organic treatment i.e. T1 to T3 was sole application on equivalence 100 per cent Dairy manure (DM), Vermicompost (VC) and Poultry manure, T4 to T7 was a compound application of 50: 50 DM: PM, DM: VC and VC: PM and T7 in which DM = PM = VC applied on N equivalence. Five foliar sprays of organic formulation were applied in each of the treatment. The Energy efficiency and econometric analysis of organic kiwifruit production were examined. The highest energy inputs unit per hectare was utilized by T1 out of which over 86 per cent were from organic manure inputs and provided 26401.02 MJ/ha. The highest yield per hectare, as well as the output energy were observed in the treatment T5. Whereas the highest energy ratio, energy productivity, and specific energy were recorded under T2. Likewise, the highest productivity ratio and benefit-cost ratio were recorded under T7 which was followed by T2. From a farming point of view, the T2 gave the superior result because it has provided optimum amount output along with maximum returns. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1051-1057, 2021 (December)

Effects of Foliar Applications of Some Macro and Micro Nutrients on Yield, Quality Attributes of Guava (Psidium Guajava L.)

Effects of foliar applied macro (NPK) and micro nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B) at different time on yield, quality and benefit: cost ratio of rainy and winter season guava were evaluated in north western Haryana, India. The two season’s data depicted that physico- chemical characters with respect to fruit set, fruit retention, fruit size, average fruit weight and yield were significantly increased with foliar application of macro and micro nutrients at vegetative, flowering and fruiting stage (T7). The shoot C: N ratio was also found highest with T7 foliar treatment which was followed by T5 in both the seasons. The T7 foliar spray resulted in maximum benefit: cost ratio in both the seasons. Proper fertilization strategies can help fruit growers to get good yield and quality fruits. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1159-1164, 2021 (December)