BSS, Rangpur :
Enhanced cultivation and consumption of zinc-enriched rice can prevent deficiency of vital micronutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin-A of the children to ensure their normal growth and increase disease resistant capacity.
Experts said this Monday at a farmers’ field day organised by RDRS Bangladesh for visiting the ripe zinc-enriched rice field of farmer Mina Rani in village Nittyanandi of Nilphamari to observe and assess farming technology of zinc-enriched rice.
RDRS Bangladesh has been expanding the technology for farming, seed production, processing and storing of high zinc-enriched rice in Sadar and Jaldhaka upazilas of Nilphamari as a local implementing partner of The HarvestPlus Challenge Programme.
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have been coordinating the technology dissemination process for enshrining seed production, processing and storing of high zinc rice.
Over 400 male and female farmers participated in the field day for enriching their practical knowledge and expertise on cultivation and production of high zinc-enriched rice seed, its processing and storing technologies.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for Nilphamari SM Sirajul Islam was the chief guest with chairman of Tupamari union Mochhirot Ali Shah Fakir in the chair.
Country Manager of The HarvestPlus Challenge Programme Dr Md Khairul Basher and Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Keramat Ali were present as special guests while Programme Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh for Nilphamari Rashedul Arefin delivered welcome speech.
Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid spoke on the goals of the field day and said 50 farmers have cultivated high zinc-enriched rice on 50 bigha land in Nilphamari with the assistances of the NGO during this Boro season.
Post Doctoral Fellow of The HarvestPlus Challenge Programme and Senior Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Dr Md Alamgir Hossain delivered keynote speech on cultivation and importance of high zinc-enriched rice.
He said many people in developing countries like Bangladesh depend on rice for meeting majority of their vitamin and mineral requirements. But, rice does not contain enough micronutrients required for leading healthy productive life.
Terming zinc, iron and vitamin-A as the three most vital micronutrients, he said deficiency of these micronutrients seriously hampers natural growth of the children and decrease their disease prevention capacity.
“In Bangladesh, over 40 percent children of the under five year age group are malnourished and stunted while an estimated 44 percent children of the same age group are remaining at risk of zinc deficiency,” he said.
Dr Hossain suggested expansion of cultivation and consumption of high zinc-enriched rice to overcome zinc deficiency of the children in building a healthier nation.
