Shrimp farming is a fast-growing industry, considered one of the best export-carning products in the coastal communities of Bangladesh. In this study, we observed the seasonal variation of water quality parameters in shrimp farms, as well as assessed the uses and effectiveness of aqua medicines. Primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 42 shrimp farmers and 30 drug and chemical seller (he temperature varied from ~30 °C (during summer) to 15 °C (during winter), respectively. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels recorded ranged from 3.5 mg/L to 6.0 mg/L in the study period. The pH remained stable from autumn to the rainy season, within 6.5 to 8 in all sites. Ammonia and nitrite concentrations were higher during the winter season. However, these values were lower before and after the winter. Seven categories of aqua medicines from 38 pharmaceutical companies were found to be used by the farmers. The effectiveness of the drugs and chemicals used by farmers to prepare ponds for increased growth rate and as a disinfectant ranged from 60 to 80% on average. Farmers used these aqua drugs and chemicals haphazardly and appeared to have little knowledge, awareness, and concern about their proper use and effectiveness. To overcome these problems, an effective and functional regulatory framework is required to monitor shrimp farms from the existing government institutions or authorities.

Keywords: Water quality parameters, aqua medicines, effectiveness, coastal region, Bangladesh

The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of duck diseases in Sylhet region of Bangladesh. Total 2235 ducks were examined during 2 years (June i2016- May 2018). Among infectious diseases, highest prevalent was Mycoplasma Colibacillosis Complex (MC Complex) (17.72%) followed by Duck plague/duck virus enteritis (15.48%), Salmonellosis (13.83%), Tape worm infestation (11.90%), Tracheal fluke (5.77%), Mycotoxicosis (5.46%), Duck cholera (3.80%), Duck virus hepatitis (3.62%) and Coccidiosis (2.51%). Nutritional deficiency diseases encounter 19.91% prevalence. According to the age, highest prevalence was recorded in the age group of > 16 weeks old (52.13%) followed by 8-16 weeks (25.06%) and 0-8 weeks old age group (22.82%) of duck. The distribution and proportionate occurrence of diseases in duck of Sylhet indicated that, the diseases frequently occurred in winter season (67.11%) followed by rainy (17.45%) and summer season (15.12%).

Keywords: Disease prevalence, Duck, Bangladesh.

Beef cattle fattening is a potential income generating enterprise for the small scale farmers’ in haor areas. Thus, the experiment was conducted with the aim to observe the effect of urea molasses straw for fattening bull and contribution to the income generation for small scale farmers in haor areas. The experiment was conducted at the Noagaon village under South Sunamganj Upazila of Sunamganj district from January to April 2017. Ten farmers were selected for rearing and each farmer reared one bull (2-3 years old) for fattening. Two groups of animals, treatment group treated with Urea Molasses Straw (UMS) in diet and control group without UMS supplementation, were laid out with five replications in each group. Data on body weight gain and profitability data were collected and analyzed as Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Feeding of urea molasses straw with the dietary feed had shown a positive effect on weight gain. After the end of the experimental period, mean body weight gain (g day-1animal-1) for the treatment and control group were measured as 496.41 and 236.62 g, respectively. The body weight gains of these both feeding groups were insignificant during the first fifteenth days of the experimental period, however, the difference was significant (p<0.05) for the rest of the experimental period. Moreover, higher gross margin was found in the treatment group (Tk. 14,310) than the control group (Tk. 3,810). Therefore, a significant growth performance with a profitable income for the small scale farmers’ of haor areas might be promising from beef cattle fattening by dietary urea molasses straw treatment.

Keywords: Bangladesh, body weight, profitability, dietary, farmers