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This study was done to evaluate the effect of edible coatings based on Aloe Vera (AV) in combination with ascorbic acid and lactic acid on the postharvest life and quality of tomato. Several coatings based on different natural components such as gum Arabic, carnauba, mineral oil, etc. have shown an increase in the shelf life with better retention in postharvest quality. Two edible coatings of natural Aloe vera gel (10%) along with Ascorbic Acid (AA; 1%) and Lactic Acid (LA; 1%) were applied to mature tomatoes as an edible coating and stored at room temperature (25-29°C) and 82-84% Relative Humidity (RH) for 30 days. After application, weight loss, total Titratable Acidity (TA), Soluble Solids Content (SSC), ascorbic acid content, pH value, total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, and decay percentage were measured at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days. Compared with untreated tomato, coated ones exhibited a significant (P≤ 0.05) delay in weight loss and higher retention of SSC, vitamin C, and titratable acidity. Between the two coatings applied to tomato, AV+1% AA+1% LA coating was found to be the most effective in delayed ripening and maintaining the postharvest losses. Results obtained in this study support using AV and AA+LA edible coating as an effective alternative to preserving tomato, delay ripening processes, and extend shelf life.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the mediation role of motivation in the relationships between awareness, accessibility, perceived organizational support, and adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The data was obtained using the multi-stage cluster sampling method with questionnaires administered to 254 respondents. While structural equation modelling was used for the analysis, Constructivism Theory, Digital Divide Theory, as well as Vroom's Expectancy Theory were adopted in the study. The majority of the respondents were males, married, and in their middle age with long years of work experience who had also obtained either high school diploma or Bachelor degree. The direct relationship paths showed that the exogenous construct [awareness, accessibility, Perceived Organizational Support (POS)] had a direct positive effect on the endogenous construct (ICT adoption) with an R² value of .23 (23%). The final model has an R² of 0.47 (47%) of the variation in ICT adoption explained by the model with a substantial increase in the direct model, which explains 23% of the variation. The mediation effect of motivation in the relationships between awareness, accessibility, POS, and ICT adoption was also established indicating partial mediation. The study recommends that extension organizations should be mindful of the motivation levels of their employee to facilitate the adoption of ICT in extension work, which will facilitate timely delivery of messages, cover the manpower shortages, reduce cost, as well as a total transformation of agricultural development in the area.

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This study investigated adoption and determinants of adopting the bed planter developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and the impacts on productivity and farm income in the Rajshahi and Faridpur districts of Bangladesh. Primary data were collected during 2019 from 41 adopters and 80 non-adopters using a multi-stage random sampling technique. On average, the adoption rate of the BARI bed planter was 15%. Socio-economic characteristics such as farm size, farming experience, training, and extension contacts significantly differed between adopters and non-adopters. A probit model showed that farmer experience, extension contacts, and farmers’ club membership were key variables influencing the likelihood of BARI bed planter adoption. Policy recommendations based on these results include modifying current extension approaches and increasing investment in farm machinery.