RANGPUR, Nov 08, 2017 (BSS) – Agriculture experts at a farmers’ field day programme on Tuesday called for popularising cultivation of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan72 rice to meet nutritional demand of the common people.
“Regular consumption of zinc-enriched rice prevents deficiency of zinc, iron and vitamin-A of the population side by side with increasing rice production to attain food security,” said Pirganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Samir Chandra Ghosh.
Ghosh expressed the opinion in the programme styled “Zinc Rice Varieties and Benefit of Zinc” held at village Jahangirabad under Pirganj upazila on Tuesday afternoon as chief guest, a press release said here today.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in association with HarvestPlus Bangladesh, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and RDRS Bangladesh organised the programme for harvesting BRRI dhan72 rice.
Principal Scientific Officer of the On-farm Research Wing of BARI Dr Mozaharul Anwar, Coordinator of Sustainable and Resilient Farming Systems Intensification Project Rashedul Islam, addressed the field day as special guests.
Farmers Mehedur Rahman and Abdul Karim narrated their experiences about cultivation of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan72 rice in the programme participated by 200 male and female farmers.
Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid discussed on cultivation technologies, agronomical managements and benefits of zinc-enriched rice.
“A total of 3,050 farmers have set up exhibition plots of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan72 rice and BRRI dhan62 rice on one bigha land each with assistance of HarvestPlus Bangladesh Programme during this Aman season in the district,” he said.
Dr Mazharul Anwar said around 44 percent children and 60 percent women in Bangladesh are at risk of zinc deficiency and they require supplementation of these essential micro-nutrients for normal growth and healthier life.
The chief guest called upon the farmers for enhancing cultivation of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan72 rice for supplementation of zinc deficiency of the children, pregnant women and common people of all ages for building healthier nation.