Project Management
Research Projects & Project Management
Throughout my academic career, I have led and managed several research projects funded by national and international organizations. These projects focused on crop production improvement, intercropping systems, climate-resilient agriculture, coastal ecosystem management, maize development, pulse production, and sustainable intensification of cropping systems. The projects involved field experimentation, technology development, farmer training, and dissemination of improved agricultural practices.
1. Intercropping Legumes with Sunflower and Fodder Maize
Funding Organization: Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Research System
Duration: 2008–2009
Status: Completed and reported
Objectives
The project aimed to develop suitable intercropping technologies involving legumes with sunflower and maize for increasing productivity, resource utilization, and economic return.
Major Experiments and Findings
Experiment 1: Effect of intercropping chickpea with sunflower under different row and spacing arrangements
A field experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, using sunflower variety DS-1 (Kironi) and chickpea variety BARI Chola-5.
The study evaluated different row arrangements and spacing combinations to identify the most productive intercropping system.
Major findings:
- Two rows of chickpea planted at 40 cm spacing in a 70 cm gap between paired sunflower rows (30 cm apart) produced the best performance.
- The treatment resulted in higher land equivalent ratio (LER 1.76).
- Sunflower equivalent yield, chickpea equivalent yield, and combined productivity were significantly higher than sole cropping systems.
Experiment 2: Performance of maize–mungbean intercropping under different planting geometries
The experiment evaluated maize and summer mungbean intercropping systems under different row arrangements.
Major findings:
- Suitable maize paired-row arrangements with mungbean integration improved productivity and economic return.
- The best treatment produced higher maize equivalent yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), and benefit-cost ratio (BCR).
- The highest recorded net return was Tk. 69,615 with maize equivalent yield of 7,307.67 kg ha⁻¹ and BCR of 2.74.
2. Effect of Natural and Synthetic Growth Regulators on Germination and Vigour of Different Pulse Seeds
Funding Organization: Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC)
Duration: 2010–2011
Status: Completed and reported
Objectives
The project evaluated the effects of natural and synthetic growth regulators on seed germination and vigour of major pulse crops.
Major Findings
- Nine growth regulators, including gibberellin, NAA, kinetin, ascorbic acid, folic acid, and natural plant extracts, were evaluated.
- Growth regulators improved seed germination and seedling vigour in several pulse crops.
- Effective treatments were identified for lentil, chickpea, grasspea, cowpea, mungbean, and blackgram.
3. Evaluation of Allelopathic Potential of Mikania (Mikania micrantha) on Weed Growth
Funding Organization: Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Research System
Duration: 2012–2013
Status: Completed (report under preparation)
Objectives
The study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha on weed suppression under kharif and rabi conditions.
Major Findings
- Different rates of Mikania biomass incorporation were tested for their effects on weed emergence and growth.
- Mikania showed potential allelopathic effects against several weed species.
- Application of higher rates reduced weed population, indicating possibilities for biological weed management.
4. Development of Intensive Cropping System in Two Coastal Districts for Increasing Production
Funding Organization: World Bank / Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (WB/KGF)
Duration: 2011–2014
Status: Completed and reported
Implementing Organizations
Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) and Agrarian Research Foundation (ARF)
Objectives
The project aimed to increase agricultural productivity in the tidal floodplain ecosystems of southern Bangladesh through improved rice production technologies and introduction of suitable upland crops.
Major Activities
- Conducted on-farm varietal trials and agronomic studies in coastal districts.
- Developed improved production technologies for local T. Aman rice varieties.
- Introduced maize, chickpea, and sesame into existing cropping systems.
Major Findings
- Local rice varieties such as Sadamota, Lalmota, and Moulata performed well in tidal floodplain conditions.
- Improved management practices increased yield of local T. Aman rice by more than 25%.
- Chickpea (BARI Chola-5) successfully produced 750–1009 kg ha⁻¹ after T. Aman rice harvest.
- Maize varieties MS-888 and Profit produced 4.99–5.30 t ha⁻¹ when sown before mid-January.
- Relay cropping of maize and chickpea with T. Aman reduced fallow period and increased cropping intensity.
5. Increasing Production by Adopting Improved Production Practices in Tidal Floodplain
Funding Organization: World Bank / Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (WB/KGF)
Duration: January–September 2014
Status: Completed and reported
Objectives
The project aimed to scale up improved production technologies developed for tidal floodplain agriculture and increase cropping intensity through improved rice, maize, and chickpea production.
Major Activities
- Implemented technology dissemination programmes in Jhalakathi and Pirojpur districts.
- Selected and trained farmers on improved T. Aman rice and maize production technologies.
- Conducted demonstrations, farmer training, and field days.
Major Achievements
- A total of 2,238 farmers received training on modern rice and maize production technologies.
- Maize cultivation was expanded to 81 bighas involving 128 farmers.
- Maize yields ranged from 1.115 to 8.280 t ha⁻¹ depending on location and variety.
- Promising maize varieties produced more than 5 t ha⁻¹ in several locations.
- Improved local T. Aman rice technology was adopted over approximately 700 bighas of farmland.
- The project contributed to increasing crop productivity and cropping intensity in coastal floodplain areas of Bangladesh.
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