Agriculturists for cultivation, consumption of zinc-enriched rice

NILPHAMARI, May 17, 2018 (BSS) - Agriculturists at a crop cutting ceremony have laid emphasis on expanding cultivation of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan74 rice and its consumption to meet nutritional demand of the people.

"Regular consumption of zinc-enriched rice prevents deficiency of zinc, iron and vitamin-A," said Agriculture Extension Officer the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for Nilphamari Sadar Agriculturist Tanvir Ahmed Sarker.

Sarker said this at the event held on exhibition plot of farmer Romana Begum at village Makortari under Sadar upazila of Nilphamari on Wednesday as the chief guest, said a press release today.

The DAE in association with Harvest Plus Bangladesh and RDRS Bangladesh organised the event followed by a discussion on farming technology of zinc- enriched BRRI dhan74 rice.

Sub-assistant Agriculture Officer of the DAE Shahin Ferdous and Agriculture Officer of RDRS Bangladesh Abdul Mazed Mian addressed the function as special guests with local elite Santosh Kumar Wrishi in the chair.

Senior Programme Manager (Micro Finance) of RDRS Bangladesh for Nilphamari Golam Mostafa said 1,025 farmers have cultivated zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 and BRRI dhan74 rice with their support in five upazilas of Nilphamari during this Boro season.

After harvesting BRRI dhan74 rice, farmer Romana Begum got 7.80 tonnes yield rate in terms of paddy per hectare.

Romana Begum said she faced no problem in cultivating the blast-disease resistant BRRI dhan74 rice.

Agriculture Officer Abdul Mazed Mian said cultivation of BRRI dhan74 rice is more profitable and requires less quantity of urea fertiliser with less pests' attacks than other rice varieties.

"The BRRI dhan74 rice is course, white in colour and long in length," Mazed added.

The chief guest stressed on enhancing cultivation of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan74 rice and its regular consumption to meet nutritional demand for normal physical and mental growths of the people of all ages.