বাংলাদেশের কৃষি এখন বদলে যাচ্ছে! শুধু ফসল ফলানো নয়, এখন সময় কৃষিকে ব্যবসায় রূপ দেওয়ার।
বেসরকারি বিনিয়োগ আসছে—জৈব সার, প্রক্রিয়াজাত কৃষিপণ্য, এগ্রো-টেক, কোল্ড স্টোরেজ, আর রপ্তানি বাজারে।Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Interdisciplinary Marine Science
Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within interdisciplinary marine science is critical for addressing the complex environmental and social challenges facing the world’s oceans and coastal systems. Marine science operates at the intersection of ecology, climate change, technology, policy, and community livelihoods — areas that demand multiple perspectives, knowledge systems, and equitable collaboration. This discussion examines the importance of DEI in interdisciplinary marine research, identifies current barriers, and explores actionable strategies to create more inclusive, equitable, and innovative marine science communities.
Diversity in marine science — in terms of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, geography, and disciplinary expertise — enriches both the scientific process and its outcomes. Diverse teams are more innovative and produce higher-impact research, as varied perspectives foster creativity in hypothesis generation, data interpretation, and problem-solving.
In interdisciplinary marine research, diversity extends beyond demographics to include epistemic diversity — the integration of natural sciences, social sciences, economics, and traditional ecological knowledge. For example, including coastal community knowledge or indigenous sea tenure systems provides contextually grounded insights that improve marine spatial planning, conservation design, and resource management outcomes.
Equity in marine science involves ensuring fair access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making power across gender, geographic, and institutional lines. Historically, global marine science has been dominated by institutions and researchers from the Global North, while scientists from developing coastal regions — such as South Asia, Africa, and the Pacific — often face structural barriers including limited research funding, language constraints, and data access restrictions.
Equitable collaboration requires redistributing benefits and recognition, for example by:
Ensuring co-authorship and data-sharing with local partners;
Building long-term institutional partnerships instead of extractive research relationships;
Supporting capacity development for early-career scientists from underrepresented regions.
Such equity-centered approaches help correct historical imbalances and make marine science more globally representative and just.
Inclusion ensures that diverse voices are not only present but actively valued and integrated in decision-making and research design. It means creating environments — in fieldwork, labs, conferences, and policy discussions — where all participants feel respected and safe to contribute.
For example, in interdisciplinary marine projects involving oceanography, fisheries, economics, and sociology, inclusion means:
Co-defining research questions with local fishers and community leaders;
Adapting communication tools (language, meeting style, cultural sensitivity);
Considering accessibility for participants with disabilities or limited digital access.
Inclusive marine science not only strengthens ethical integrity but also ensures that research outcomes are relevant, implementable, and socially legitimate.
Despite growing awareness, several barriers hinder DEI progress in marine science:
Institutional inertia: Many academic and research institutions lack DEI frameworks or measurable targets.
Funding inequities: Grants and international programs are concentrated in high-income countries, limiting access for researchers from developing coastal nations.
Cultural and language biases: English-dominated publication systems and Western epistemologies often marginalize local knowledge systems.
Gender disparities: Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles and field-based marine research due to structural, cultural, and safety-related challenges.
Limited mentorship and networks: Early-career scientists from marginalized backgrounds often lack mentorship and collaboration opportunities in interdisciplinary consortia.
To embed DEI principles into marine science, systemic changes are required at multiple levels — individual, institutional, and policy:
Establish DEI policies and accountability frameworks in marine research institutions.
Ensure transparent hiring and promotion practices that value diverse career paths (e.g., applied, community-based, or policy-oriented work).
Support family-friendly fieldwork logistics and gender-sensitive safety protocols for marine expeditions.
Co-design projects with local and indigenous communities, ensuring participatory governance and benefit-sharing.
Integrate social and cultural sciences into ocean research programs to capture human dimensions.
Foster interdisciplinary training programs and joint degrees that merge marine ecology, policy, and community development.
Create mentorship networks linking early-career researchers in developing regions with global experts.
Offer scholarships and training opportunities focused on underrepresented groups, especially from small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs).
Support open-access data initiatives and regional marine observatories to democratize information.
Promote multilingual science communication and community outreach to break linguistic barriers.
Recognize local champions and traditional custodians as co-researchers rather than data sources.
Develop educational campaigns highlighting diverse role models in marine science.
The emerging blue economy agenda provides a crucial opportunity to embed DEI in marine policy and innovation. As nations develop ocean-based industries (e.g., aquaculture, renewable energy, seaweed farming, coastal tourism), ensuring inclusive participation will determine both sustainability and social justice outcomes.
In Bangladesh, for instance, integrating women and coastal youth into seaweed and aquaculture value chains through inclusive capacity-building can link DEI principles with sustainable livelihood creation. Similarly, interdisciplinary collaboration among marine ecologists, economists, and community organizers can ensure that blue growth benefits are equitably distributed.
Fostering DEI ultimately requires a cultural shift in how marine science defines excellence and success. Leadership plays a vital role in modeling inclusive behaviors — such as acknowledging diverse contributions, valuing community engagement, and addressing bias.
Creating safe spaces for dialogue, encouraging reflection on privilege and positionality, and embedding DEI in evaluation metrics are key to sustaining change. Marine science societies, journals, and conference organizers should implement DEI guidelines and codes of conduct to institutionalize inclusivity.
Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in interdisciplinary marine science is not merely a moral obligation — it is a scientific and societal necessity. Diverse and inclusive research teams generate more innovative, applicable, and just solutions to ocean challenges. By addressing structural barriers, embracing local and indigenous knowledge systems, and ensuring equitable partnerships, marine science can truly become global, participatory, and transformative.
Sustainable oceans depend not only on sound science but also on inclusive collaboration, where every voice — from coastal communities to global researchers — is heard, respected, and empowered.
This study evaluated the potential of locally available renewable seaweed wastes from Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin as feedstock for composted organic fertilizer. The results demonstrate that these seaweed wastes — when properly processed and composted with complementary bulking agents and microbial amendments — can produce a stable, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that improves soil chemical properties and offers clear agronomic, environmental, and socio-economic benefits. Below I synthesize key findings, explain mechanisms, contextualize them with broader literature and practice, discuss limitations, and outline practical recommendations and future research directions.
Nutrient enrichment: Composted seaweed wastes were enriched in macro-nutrients (notably N, P, K) and several micronutrients (e.g., Zn, Fe), compared to initial raw wastes and some baseline soil values. Nutrient concentrations varied by seaweed source and compost recipe but generally met ranges useful for organic fertilizers.
Improved stability and maturity: Controlled composting reduced phytotoxic compounds, lowered C:N ratio to agronomically acceptable levels, and produced stable organic matter with improved humification indices and reduced volatile solids.
Soil responses: Short-term pot/field trials (if included) showed improved soil moisture retention, increased available P and exchangeable K, modest pH moderation (buffering of acidic soils), and enhanced early plant growth and vigor relative to unamended controls.
Microbial and structural benefits: Compost addition increased microbial biomass/activity indicators and improved soil aggregate stability, suggesting improvements to biological and physical soil health beyond simple nutrient supply.
Feasibility & local value chain potential: Seaweed wastes are plentiful at coastal processing sites; composting can convert waste into value-added products, reduce coastal pollution, and provide livelihood opportunities if properly organized.
Nutrient source & mineral cycling: Seaweeds accumulate dissolved nutrients from seawater — P and K in particular — and contain bioavailable organic N and diverse micronutrients. During composting, mineralization and partial mineral release make these nutrients plant-available.
Organic matter and soil conditioning: Seaweed-derived polysaccharides, proteins, and recalcitrant compounds contribute to soil organic matter, enhancing water-holding capacity and aggregate formation. Humification during composting stabilizes labile components and reduces phytotoxicity.
Microbial stimulation: Seaweed substrates can stimulate heterotrophic microbial communities during composting and after soil application, accelerating nutrient cycling and improving soil enzymatic activity.
pH buffering & salinity considerations: Seaweed composts often contain salts and alkaline components (e.g., carbonates), which can slightly raise pH and supply Na/Cl. Proper dilution, blending with low-salt bulking agents (e.g., rice straw, sawdust), and adequate composting reduce salinity risk while retaining benefits.
Findings align with prior work indicating that seaweed-based composts are nutrient-rich and beneficial for soil fertility and plant growth. Studies from other coastal regions reported similar increases in soil P and K and improvements in soil structure and microbial activity after seaweed compost application. This study adds value by focusing on locally sourced wastes from Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin, showing local compositional variability and providing region-specific compost recipes and risk-management approaches (e.g., salinity control) relevant to Bangladeshi coastal conditions.
For farmers: Seaweed-compost can serve as a partial substitute for inorganic fertilizers, especially where P and K are limiting. It also improves soil health parameters that support long-term productivity, particularly on degraded, sandy coastal soils.
For coastal communities: Turning seaweed processing waste into compost reduces marine pollution and odor problems, creates an additional income stream, and supports circular bioeconomy goals.
For policymakers and extension services: Supporting small-scale composting units near landing/processing sites, offering training on recipe optimization (bulking agent ratios, aeration, moisture control), and quality-testing protocols would accelerate adoption.
Salinity and sodium accumulation: Untreated seaweed wastes can be high in salts. Long-term or excessive application could increase soil salinity, particularly in poorly drained soils. Mitigation: Leaching during composting, blending with low-salt organic matter, and application rate limits based on salt analyses.
Heavy metals and contaminants: Although many seaweeds are low in problematic heavy metals, localized contamination could pose risks. Mitigation: Regular testing for heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg) and sourcing seaweed from clean areas.
Pathogens and phytotoxic compounds: Raw seaweed may contain pathogens or phytotoxic compounds (e.g., high ammonia or phenolics). Proper composting (temperature control, turning schedule) reduces these risks.
Seasonal supply variability & logistics: Seaweed availability is seasonal and often concentrated at specific coastal hubs; organizing collection, transport, and decentralized composting is necessary for reliable supply chains.
Temporal scale: If experiments were short-term (single season), long-term effects on soil sodium balance, nutrient release dynamics over multiple cropping seasons, and sustained yield impacts remain uncertain.
Spatial scale & replication: Site-specific results (soil type, crop, local seaweed species) may limit direct extrapolation. Wider spatial replication would strengthen generalizability.
Compositional variability: Seaweed species and their chemical composition vary by season and location; more systematic sampling across time would help refine standard compost formulations.
Economic analysis: While qualitative socio-economic benefits were discussed, a detailed cost–benefit analysis (inputs, labor, transport, market price of compost) would better inform commercialization potential.
Standardize compost recipes: Adopt locally optimized ratios (seaweed : bulking agent : moisture : inoculant) that minimize salts while maximizing nutrient availability and stability.
Quality-control protocols: Simple on-site tests for salinity, C:N ratio, and maturity (e.g., seed germination tests) alongside periodic lab analysis for heavy metals and pathogens.
Field trials over multiple seasons: Evaluate yield responses, cumulative soil chemistry changes, and crop quality across different crops and soil types.
Integration with fortified amendments: Explore fortification (dolomite for Ca/Mg, Trichoderma and Bacillus subtilis for biological enhancement) — both to address specific soil nutrient imbalances and to add value to the compost product.
Economic & social pilots: Run community-level pilot programs that include training, cost modelling, and market linkages to test viability as a livelihood activity.
Policy support: Encourage local authorities to support composting hubs, provide subsidies for testing, and incentivize reduction of coastal waste.
Long-term monitoring of soil salinity and sodium adsorption ratio following repeated applications.
Species-specific assessments: compare composts derived from predominant local seaweed species to identify best feedstocks.
Interactions with biochar and phosphorus-use efficiency studies — given the user’s broader interest in phosphorus and biochar, testing seaweed compost combined with biochar for P retention and plant availability would be especially valuable.
Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and full economic analysis to measure environmental benefits (reduced marine pollution, greenhouse gas implications) and financial viability.
Locally available seaweed wastes from Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin present a promising, locally relevant resource for producing composted organic fertilizer. When converted through controlled composting and applied following appropriate guidelines, seaweed compost can enhance soil fertility, support crop growth, reduce coastal waste burdens, and create socioeconomic opportunities. Careful management of salinity, testing for contaminants, and multi-season trials will be necessary to ensure safe, scalable, and sustainable adoption.
বিশ্ব খাদ্য দিবস ২০২৫ (World Food Day 2025)
📅 তারিখ: ১৬ অক্টোবর ২০২৫, বৃহস্পতিবার
🌾 প্রধান থিম (Theme):
👉 FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) এখনো ২০২৫ সালের অফিসিয়াল থিম ঘোষণা করেনি। সাধারণত FAO মে–জুন মাসে প্রতি বছরের থিম ঘোষণা করে। তবে পূর্বের থিমগুলোর ধারাবাহিকতায় ২০২৫ সালের থিমটিও টেকসই খাদ্য ব্যবস্থা, জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন, কৃষক কল্যাণ এবং বৈশ্বিক খাদ্য নিরাপত্তার ওপর গুরুত্ব দেবে বলে ধারণা করা হচ্ছে।
📘 পটভূমি:
বিশ্ব খাদ্য দিবস প্রতি বছর ১৬ অক্টোবর পালিত হয়—১৯৪৫ সালে FAO প্রতিষ্ঠার স্মরণে।
লক্ষ্য হলো—
ক্ষুধামুক্ত পৃথিবী গড়া,
টেকসই কৃষি ও খাদ্য ব্যবস্থা গঠন,
পুষ্টিকর খাদ্যের সমান প্রাপ্যতা নিশ্চিত করা,
খাদ্য অপচয় ও অপুষ্টি হ্রাস করা।
🌍 মূল বার্তা:
"Zero Hunger" অর্জনে সবার অংশগ্রহণ।
কৃষক, মৎস্যজীবী ও ক্ষুদ্র খাদ্য উৎপাদকদের সম্মান ও সহায়তা।
জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনের প্রভাব মোকাবিলা করে খাদ্য উৎপাদনে টেকসই পদ্ধতির ব্যবহার।
🍚 বাংলাদেশে তাৎপর্য:
বাংলাদেশে এ দিবসটি কৃষি মন্ত্রণালয়, কৃষি সম্প্রসারণ অধিদপ্তর (DAE), খাদ্য মন্ত্রণালয়, বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ও বিভিন্ন এনজিওর উদ্যোগে পালিত হয়।
এদিন নানা কর্মসূচি থাকে যেমন—
র্যালি ও সেমিনার
কৃষক সম্মাননা
প্রদর্শনী ও খাদ্য নিরাপত্তা বিষয়ক আলোচনা
টেকসই কৃষি উদ্ভাবন প্রদর্শনী
