Field experiment was conducted at the farmers' field of Amratoli, Barura multi location testing site of Cumilla during 2014-15 and 2015-16 to increase cropping intensity and productivity by inclusion of T. Aus in existing cropping pattern. Thus experiment variables were F: Existing cropping pattern (Potato -Boro-Fallow-T. Aman) and FA: Alternate cropping pattern (Potato-Boro-T. Aus-T.Aman). Research result indicated that rice equivalent yield (REY) in alternate cropping pattern was 43.46 t ha -1 , which is 25.90% higher over existing pattern (34.52 t ha -1 ). Higher gross return (Tk. 651900 ha -1 ), gross margin (Tk. 416520 ha -1 ) and higher marginal benefit cost ratio (2.77) obtained from alternate cropping pattern messaged that this pattern may be recommended to other extrapolation areas of Cumilla region.

Soil fertility decline coupled with the failure to conduct soil analysis by the farmers while generating fertilizer recommendations is among the factors that led to low yield especially in the Dry Savanna of Nigeria which is characterized by a dramatic increase in population. In this study, the performance of the soils at Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State that was under irrigation farming was estimated using the NUTMON model. This was part of the strategies for boosting agricultural production and to have adequate and sustainable rural development. The experimental findings of this study showed obviously that most of the farms in the research area received a sufficient amount of fertilizer during the growing season despite the lower fertility status of the soils. Even with the continuous productivity within crop-based cropping unit, highly positive balance was obtained for N and slightly for P and K. The result as obtained from the data processing module of the NUTMON model revealed positive partial balances in kg/ha as 220.7, 26.3 and 47.8 for farms 1, 2, and 3 respectively, with the highest balance at farm 2 and the lowest at farm 3, despite the higher quantity of fertilizer (IN 1) that was applied to farm 1 of about 342 kg of Nitrogen. However, the N, P, and K were exported to the farm through the harvested grains and crop residues (OUT 1) and crop residues (OUT 2) considering partial balance. On the other hand, Phosphorus partial balance was also positive as a result revealed 55.0, 13.6 and 16.9kg/ha of Phosphorus for farms 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The K balances for farms 1, 2 and 3 in kg/ha as 68.8, 13.6 and 23.7 respectively which means farm 1 has the highest balance and farm 3 has the lowest. The result showed that the NUTMON model was a valuable tool for estimating nutrient balance and maintaining soil fertility in the study area. Reviewing fertilizer recommendation and its adherence by the farmers was recommended to have an appreciable yield in the study area.

A field experiment was conducted at MLT site, Chandina under on-farm research division (OFRD), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Cumilla during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to study an economically profitable vegetable based cropping pattern in Cumilla region for increasing cropping intensity and productivity as well as to meet the vegetable demand for farm family as well as the country. The studied vegetable based cropping patterns were CP1: Red amaranth-Potato-Coriander-Indian Spinach-Ladies finger-Cauliflower and CP2: Red amaranth-Potato-Indian spinach-Ladies finger-Coriander-Red amaranth, respectively. The results showed that six vegetable crops could be grown successfully one after another in a sequence in the farmer’s field instead of two or three crops based pattern in a piece of land. From the research results it was revealed that the highest Potato equivalent yield (PEY) 226.66 t ha-1 was obtained from cropping pattern CP1: Red amaranth-Potato-Coriander-Indian Spinach-Ladies finger-Cauliflower where the lower PEY (171.38 t ha-1) in CP2: Red amaranth-Potato-Indian spinach-Ladies finger-Coriander-Red amaranth cropping pattern. From the economic analysis, it was observed that the highest gross return Tk. 22,66,600 ha-1 was obtained from cropping pattern CP1: Red amaranth-Potato-Coriander-Indian Spinach-Ladies finger-Cauliflower which leads to the highest gross margin (Tk. 18,94,542 ha-1) as well as the highest BCR (6.09) from that cropping pattern compared to CP2. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2019, 22(1): 7-13

Background Chronic disease burden is increasing globally. In Arab Gulf Countries, the burden has increased exponentially over the past five decades due to rapid economic growth and urbanization. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), chronic diseases are the leading cause of mortality and economic burden, hence, there is need to explore their patterns for targeted interventions. Studies among university students in Europe and the United States show chronic diseases prevalence ranging from 16.5% to 30.0%, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the Gulf region to assess multiple chronic diseases among university students. Our study describes the prevalence and patterns of multiple chronic diseases among UAE University (UAEU) students. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among UAEU students ≥18years from July to October 2021. Online questionnaire was used to collect data. Self-reported chronic diseases were described and compared between male and female students using chi-square and t tests. Other students’ characteristics were also explored. All analyses were conducted using STATA statistical software. Results 902 students participated in the study with mean age of 21.9±5.2yrs. 79.8% were females. 80.7% were undergraduates. The prevalence of self-reported chronic diseases was 23.0%. Obesity, Diabetes and Asthma/Allergies were the commonest (12.5%, 4.2% & 3.2%, respectively). 34.8% of the students were either overweight or obese. Overall chronic disease prevalence was similar between males and females [27.5% vs 21.8%, 0.104] though it was significantly higher among postgraduates, students who are older, married and have family history of diabetes. 4.7% of the students reported 2 or more chronic diseases. Conclusions Our study showed that more than 1 in 5 of the students reported at least one chronic disease. This shows the need for proactive chronic disease screening and prevention programs to meet the health needs of the students. Key messages • Prevalence of chronic diseases (Diabetes, Prediabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Asthma/Allergies, Lipid disorders, Thyroid disorders, GI disorders, and CVDs) was high among the university students. • Universities should commit to researching students’ health and creating targeted health policies and interventions, as chronic diseases have direct and indirect negative impact on students’ education.

A field experiment was conducted at multi-location testing (MLT) site, Barura under On-Farm Research Division (OFRD), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Cumilla during 2014-16 to determine the productivity and profitability of cropping patterns, viz. Boro (var. BRRI dhan28)-T.Aus (var. BRRI dhan48)- T. Aman (var. BRRI dhan49)-Fallow (existing cropping pattern) and Boro (var. BRRI dhan28)-T. Aus (var. BRRI dhan48)-T. Aman (var. Binadhan-11)-Mustard (var. BARI Sarisha-14) as  improved cropping pattern. The results showed that improved cropping pattern provided higher amount of grain and by-product yield. The highest mean REY (18.08 t ha-1), PE (54.61 kg ha-1 day-1), LUE (90.68 %) and SYI (77.12%) was obtained from improved cropping pattern Boro-T.Aus-T. Aman-Mustard and the lowest (14.30 t ha-1 in 2014-15 and 13.98 t ha-1 in 2015-16) from farmers existing cropping pattern. The highest gross return (Tk. 274800 ha-1 in 2014-15 and Tk. 276600 ha-1 in 2015-16), gross margin (Tk. 113950 ha-1 in 2014-15 and Tk. 106750 ha-1 in 2015-16) and BCR (1.70 in 2014-15 and 1.66 in 2015-16) were obtained from improved four crops based cropping pattern (Boro-T. Aus-T. Aman-Mustard). Two years results showed that four crops could be grown one after another in a sequence in the farmers field of Cumilla region for achieving higher system productivity and economic return. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(1): 101-108