The current study focused on quantifying hazardous heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in soil-rice systems near the Buriganga River in Bangladesh to assess their impact on human health and the environment. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in soil exceeded FAO/WHO acceptable limits, and the metal pollution index (MPI) indicated that all soil samples collected from the rice fields were severely polluted (MPI˃30) than water and rice grain samples. According to the sum of pollution index (SPI) by studied metals, rice grains collected from Kamrangirchor (29.36), Dhakauddan (28.75), and Bosila (18.08) were severely polluted. Mean Bio-concentration factors (BCFs) and Transfer factors (TFgrain/soil) in rice grains were in the following order: Cd (6.034) > Zn (1.752) > Pb (0.697) ˃ Ni (0.666) > Cr (0.135) > As (0.037), and Cd (1.150) > Zn (0.421) > Ni (0.112) ˃ Pb (0.072) > Cr (0.015) > As (0.034) respectively indicating higher accumulation of Cd in rice grain than others toxic heavy metal. The potential ecological risk index (RI) showed that except for water in Kamrangirchar and Keraniganj rice fields, all other rice fields soil and water samples did not pose severe ecological pollution (RI˂110) by different toxic heavy metals. Health risk assessment showed that rice grains are unsafe for human consumption as the carcinogenic health risk (CHR˃10-3) and non-carcinogenic health risk (HI ˃1) quotients seem more than the safe level in all samples collected from rice fields surrounding the Buriganga River. Findings show that heavy metal concentrations are high in rice fields near the Buriganga River, endangering the environment and consumer health.

The present work is the first detailed study of sub-assistant agricultural officers (SAAOs), who are key players in delivering agriculture extension services in Bangladesh. We determined the status of information and communication technology (ICT) usage, knowledge gaps, approaches and tools for information delivery, barriers and obstacles to ICT usage, requirements for adoption, and possible solutions for efficient agriculture extension advisory services. We surveyed key respondents (SAAOs, n = 117) from nine sub-districts under the six administrative districts of Bangladesh with a semi-structured questionnaire. We found that 73.2% of all extension officers had basic knowledge of ICT. We observed that the most effective tool for information dissemination was field visits (90.90%, Moulvibazar district) and the most frequent extension approach was training and workshops (77.31%, Dhaka district). The best sources for information collection were broadcast media and social media. While delivering information, difficulty was found due to technical obstacles in Gazipur district, Rajshahi district, Sylhet district, and Dhaka district among 60% to 70% of SAAOs. However, farmers’ ignorance was reported in both Feni district and Moulvibazar district (36.36%). A shortage of computers in Gazipur district (56.25%) was an essential barrier to ICT usage for extension services. A major challenge in using ICT applications in Dhaka district was inadequate training support (64.51%). Mobile devices, internet connectivity, updated ICT applications, and a farmers’ database were the most important supports needed for the SAAO’s skilled advisory activities. In conclusion, our results and recommendations will help to redesign policies to improve infrastructure and allocate funding for capacity and skill development and ICT-based innovations in this sector to achieve sustainable extension and advisory services and attain food security in Bangladesh.

Residue levels of seven organophosphorus pesticides in two vegetables (eggplant and cauliflower) collected from major markets of Dhaka city, Bangladesh were analysed. The collected samples were analysed using a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction technique by Gas Chromatography coupled with Flame Thermionic Detector (GC-FTD). Among the 50 analysed samples of the eggplant 12% samples contained residues of chlorpyrifos (0.384~0.980 mg/kg), 6% samples contained residue of dimethoate (0.052~0.132 mg/kg) and 2% samples contained residue of diazinon (0.01 mg/kg). Whereas, among the 50 samples of cauliflower, 12% samples contained residues of chlorpyrifos (0.056~0.540 mg/kg), 8% samples contained residues of diazinon (0.033~0.42 mg/kg) and 2% samples contained residues of quinalphos (0.06 mg/kg). The chlorpyrifos was found as the most frequently detected organophosphorus pesticide. Among the 21 contaminated samples, 20 were above EU-MRL. Short and long-term health risk assessment based on ARfD and ADI indicates that the intake risks of eggplant and cauliflower were in the acceptable range. Nevertheless, establishing strong monitoring and traceability system together with controlling pre-harvest interval needed to ensure food safety, consumer confidence and promote vegetable export from Bangladesh.