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.
Organophosphorus pesticides are one of the most commonly used pesticide classes in
agriculture in the management of insect pests due to their high efficacy. The extensive use
of organophosphorus pesticides can contaminate both the atmosphere and food, which
may lead to health problems. In this study, the residue level of organophosphorus
pesticides, and their health risk assessment was evaluated on country bean and bitter
gourd. Out of forty analysed samples of the country bean, two samples contained
multiple residues, seven samples contained single residue. On the other hand, out of forty
samples of bitter gourd, one sample contained multiple residues and three samples
contained single residue. Among the organophosphorus pesticides, diazinon was the most
frequently detected organophosphorus pesticide in country bean and bitter gourd. The
highest short-term risks or acute risk (aHI) was below 1.83%, and the highest long-term
risk or chronic risk (HQs) was below 10.46% for the country bean and bitter gourd,
respectively. Short- and long-term risk assessment results showed that the intake risks of
country bean and bitter gourd were acceptable. The health hazard results showed that
country bean and bitter gourd consumption in Cumilla, Bangladesh does not pose an acute
or chronic risk to human health. However, a routine monitoring system must be
established to control the contamination of vegetables with pesticides.
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.
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