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Consumption of zinc-enriched rice meets nutrition: Agriculturists

PANCHAGARH, May 21, 2018 (BSS) - Agriculturists at a crop cutting ceremony have laid emphasis on enhancing cultivation and regular consumption of zinc- enriched rice to meet nutrition and increase disease resistant capacities of common people.

"Each kilogram of BRRI dhan74 rice contains 24.2 milligram zinc and 8.3 percent protein, consumption of which meets micro-nutritional demand of common people," said Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Agriculturist Md Shamsul Haque.

Haque was addressing the ceremony arranged on demonstration plot of BRRI dhan74 rice of farmer Asir Uddin at village Sarderpara under Sadar upazila on Sunday afternoon as the chief guest, a press release said today.

The DAE in association with HarvestPlus Bangladesh and RDRS Bangladesh organised the function to demonstrate farming technology of BRRI dhan74 rice and harvest the crop, a press release said today.

Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Md Abdul Matin attended the function as special guest with Programme Manager (Field Coordination) of RDRS Bangladesh Hasina Pervin in the chair.

Agricultural Research and Development Officer of HarvestPlus Bangladesh Agriculturist Ruhul Amin Mandal and Agriculture Officer Nure Alma Siddik spoke.

Agriculturist Ruhul Amin Mandal discussed on cultivation technologies, benefits and necessity for consumption of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan74 rice to meet nourishment of the common people.

"Regular consumption of zinc-enriched rice increases disease resistant capacity reducing risks of water borne diseases, malaria and pneumonia to ensure normal growth and flourishing talent of children," he said.

Agriculturist Abdul Matin called upon the farmers for enhancing cultivation and optimum consumption of the zinc-enriched BRRI dhan74 that yields up to 7.1 tonnes of paddy per hectare.

The chief guest said 40 percent of the under-five children are stunted while 44 percent of the same age group children and 60 percent women in Bangladesh are at risk of zinc deficiency and they require supplementation of these micro-nutrients.

He suggested the farmers for enhancing cultivation of BRRI dhan74 rice to supplement zinc deficiency of the common people for building healthier nation side by side with increasing rice production to attain food security.