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An investigation was undertaken to study the varying proportion of WMP to SMP (25:75, 50:50 and 75:25) for formulation of Phirni mix powder (PMP). The sensory quality of experimental Phirni increased consistently with the increase in the levels of WMP upto 50:50, thereafter, decreased significantly (p<0.01). The maximum sensory scores were obtained with a proportion of 50:50 for all sensory attributes. The textural characteristics were found significant (p<0.01) with the increase in the proportion of WMP. Further, the formulation was reconstitute by dispersing the PMP with varying levels of water (50 : 30, 50 : 40 and 50 : 50) and followed by cooked at 85±5°C for different cooking time (5,10 and 15 min). The results obtained among the reconstituted water on the sensory and textural attributes were found significant (p<0.01). The maximum sensory scores were observed at 10 min cooking time with 50: 40 proportion of PMP to water.

The study was undertaken to assess the production and marketing system of different flower cultivated in Jashore district. Different flowers were cultivated and planted seed/seedling in different months, but their target was same as they sold it in a specific occasion. Gladiolus, rose, marigold, chrysanthemum, tuberose, gerbera, jasmine, gipsy etc. flowerwere cultivated commercially inJashore. Flower was used in different national, occasional and cultural day such as happy new year, valentines day, pohelafalgun, shaheed dibos, 17th march, independence day, pohelaboishakh, 15th August, victory day and many more. People buy flower for celebration of national day, marriage day, birth day and so on. Among the cultivated flower gladiolus, rose, tuberose, gerbera and marigold were 57%, 41%, 69%, 17% and 71% farmer respectively.Benefit cost ratio on the total cost basis was highest in gerbera cultivation (2.67) followed by tuberose (1.88), rose (1.81), gladiolus (1.78) and marigold (1.56) respectively. Farmer, farmer cum trader, paiker, arathdar cum paiker, retailer, consumer etc. were the main market actors of flower. Flower cultivation was profitable as its BCR was more than one. But some flower required huge amount of investment. People used flower as its esthetic value and share his feeling with others, so that the consumption of flower was increased day by day. Insect pest infestation was the main problem of flower. Transportation and storage were the main problem of flower marketing as it was perishable products. Training, supply of sapling, market linkage should by developed for proper cultivation, quick transportation, proper storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and damage of flower.

The study assessed the value chain analysis of lentil in some selected areas of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 96 randomly selected lentil farmer, local trader, arathder, retailer and dal miller from Jashore, Jhenaidah and Kushtia district. The results indicated that most of the farmer of the study areas were cultivated BARI masur-8, BARI masur-7 and BARI masur-6 which were popular and prominent variety release from BARI. On an average, total production cost of lentil was Tk. 66373.83/ha, whereas variable cost was Tk. 35404.16/ha and fixed cost was Tk. 30969.68/ha. Average yield of lentil was 1.632 ton/ha in the study areas. Gross return was Tk. 115863.29/ha and net return was Tk. 49489.46/ha. Benefit cost ratio was 1.75 that means the lentil cultivation was profitable. Milling of 1 MT lentil at dal mill then it get 725 kg pulse (lentil) and 200 kg was husk (bran). Marketing cost of faria, bepari, wholesaler and retailer was Tk. 855/mt, Tk. 750/mt, Tk.5295/mt and Tk. 1580/mt respectfully. Retailer net margin was highest (Tk. 4945/mt) but they sold daily average 9.28 kg lentil only. Retailer was the highest value added Tk.6525/mt (44.85%) followed by wholesaler Tk.5525/mt (37.97%), faria (10.31%) and bepari Tk. 1000/mt (6.87%) respectfully. Total value added at different actors was Tk. 14550/mt. Bad weather and disease infestation were the major problems in the lentil cultivation.Contribution/Originality: This study is one of very few studies which have investigated on the value chain, value addition and intermediaries involved in lentil value chain system of Bangladesh. This study also document about which variety of lentil was cultivated and profitability of lentil cultivation in Bangladesh.

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