COMPLETION REPORT
Role of Japan in Soci-Economic Development of Bangladeshu Through Arsenic Detoxification in RiceDr. MD Saiful Islam
Asociate Professor
Department of Soil Science Patuakhali Science and Technology University
Subject of research project: Role of Japan in socio-economic development of Bangladesh through arsenic
detoxification in rice
In the study, the arsenic contamination in three rice cultivars (BRRI dhan47, BRRI dhan61 and BRRI dhan67) in
Bangladesh was assessed. A survey was conducted at the farmer’s levels from the study area in Bangladesh throughpre-test questionnaire for the socioeconomic condition related to the arsenic exposure from rice consumption. Four
district towns namely Patuakhali, Vhola, Barisal and Bogra of Bangladesh were considered as study areas. The datafrom the questionnaire survey and arsenic level in rice with respective consumption of rice confirms that the local
people at the study area exposed to arsenic from arsenic contaminated rice and arsenic toxicity is the obstacle to theirsocioeconomic development. In the present study, new analytical techniques and materials provided fromYokohama National University, Japan was used to assess different chemical forms of arsenic in rice. As a molecularmechanism, the defense strategies of rice against arsenic was also identified.
Arsenic contamination in rice is at alarming level as majority of rice growing regions are arsenic contaminated suchas South East Asia especially in Bangladesh. Restricting the arsenic in aerial parts of rice plant may be an effective
strategy to reduce arsenic contamination in food chain. In the study, the role of sulphur (S) was investigated tomitigate arsenic toxicity in rice under different S regimes. The study showed that high S (5 mM) treatment enhanced
root arsenic accumulation as well as prevented its entry in to shoot tissue. The results indicate that arsenic wascomplexed in plant roots through enhanced synthesis of phytochelatins (thiol metabolism). The study also showedthat high S treatment reduced the expression of OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 (the potent transporters of arsenic in rice) andenhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and mitigated the arsenic induced oxidative stress in rice.
Following points should be considered for socioeconomic development of Bangladesh:
i.Government of Bangladesh should provide arsenic free groundwater supply for rice cultivation at the study area of
Bangladesh;
ii.Government of Bangladesh should establish some modern laboratory facilities for molecular assessment anddetoxification mechanism of arsenic in rice;
iii.Government of Bangladesh should establish some modern genetic and molecular techniques by the help of Japan
Government for the development of arsenic resistant rice cultivars suitable for the study area;
iv.A long-term risk assessment strategies should carried out on the leach ability and migration potential of arsenic in
the contaminated sites of Bangladesh;v.The Department of Public Health, Government of Bangladesh should focused on the levels of arsenic in humanbeings (blood and urine) and animals of the study area to accomplish a complete scenario of risk assessment andsocioeconomic development of Bangladesh.

Publication of the Results of Research Project:
Verbal Presentation (Date, Venue, Name of Conference, Title of Presentation, Presenter, etc.)
July 2nd, 2018, Research Progress presentation, Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology
University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh.
Role of Japan for socio-economic development of Bangladesh through arsenic detoxification in rice
Presenter: Dr. Md. Saiful Islam
Thesis (Name of Journal and its Date, Title and Author of Thesis, etc.)
MS Thesis: Socio-economic development of Bangladesh through arsenic detoxification in different cultivars ofrice.
Book (Publisher and Date of the Book, Title and Author of the Book, etc.)