Md. Mahfuz Ur Rahman

Rice grain is the main food for more than half of the world’s population and grows in more than 100 countries. Rice is a cereal which commercially cultivated for food consumption and biological process advantages in varied elements of the planet. Because of its biological activities, the rice is turning into more and more identified and deserves attention for its edible grain that contains helpful substances with inhibitor, cancer preventive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory functions. A research laboratory experiment was conducted during the period June-July 2017 on four rice cultivars to determine the biochemical and mineral constituents of different rice varieties grown in Dinajpur district. The study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional properties of four varieties (Kalizira, Chinigura, Shampakatari and Sumon Swarna) of rice. The study characterization of biochemical attributes of rice was conducted to judge rice cultivars for investigating the nutritive value, especially the starch, ash, protein, beta carotene and vitamin-A & mineral attributes of rice was conducted to determine rice cultivars to assess the mineral (Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, K and P) content. Rice variety Shampakatari had the best starch (51.18 %), and iron (2.30 mg/100g) amongst the variety Kalizira had the smallest amount of starch (46.61 %) & Chinighura had the smallest amount of iron (1.80 mg/100g) content. However amongst the variety had observed the best ash 6.88 % (Kalizira), protein 7.88 % (Chinighura), β-carotene 0.09 mg/g (Kalizira), vitamin-A 0.15 mg/g (Kalizira), calcium 0.40 g/100g (Kalizira), magnesium 0.49 g/100g (Kalizira), zinc 1.31 g/100g (Kalizira) and phosphorus 0.29 g/100g (Chinighura) and smallest amount of ash 5.18 % (Sumon Swarna), protein 7.18 % (Sumon Swarna & Kalizira), β-carotene 0.05 mg/g (Shampakatari), vitamin-A 0.08 mg/g (Shampakatari), calcium 0.24 g/100g (Chinighura), magnesium 0.19 g/100g (Sumon Swarna), zinc 0.52 g/100g (Sumon Swarna) and phosphorus 0.07 g/100g (Shampakatari). The sodium content 0.03 g/100g and the Potassium 0.02 g/100g were observed same from all the rice varieties.

The study identified agronomic practices, analyzed relative profitability, and resource use efficiency of tuberose cultivation in Bangladesh(Jessore) during January 2010. Primary data were collected from 100 randomly selected farmers from Jessore and Chuadanga districts. The results revealed that the per hectare costs of tuberose cultivation were estimated at Tk. 2,00,761 and Tk. 1,29,283 over full cost and variable cost, respectively. The major share of total cost was for human labour (30%) followed by land use (23%), and fertilizer (17%). The total cost was 26% and 12% higher than its competitive crops banana and papaya, respectively.

The yield of tuberose was 4,54,425 sticks per hectare. The gross margin and net return were Tk. 5,52,354 and Tk.4,80,876 per hectare, respectively. This net return was 65% higher than banana and 71% higher than papaya cultivation.

The BCRs (benefit cost ratio) were 5.27 and 3.39 over variable cost and full cost basis, respectively. Production function revealed that human labour, seedling and irrigation had positive effect on tuberose cultivation. The lack of scientific knowledge, high yielding variety and efficient transport facility were reported to be major problems in tuberose cultivation.