GAIBANDHA, June 10, 2024 (BSS) - Speakers at a function here today underscored the need for farming zinc enriched rice at a larger scale in farmers' level to overcome the deficiency of zinc in a bid to build a healthy nation.
 
"Zinc is a mineral that is essential for the human body's normal functions and systems, including the immune system, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function and the senses of taste and smell. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during the pregnancy, childhood and adolescence", they also said.
 
They made the comments while addressing a district level coordination workshop and promotional activities on Bio fortified zinc rice procurement in Boro season at the conference room of deputy director (DD) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) at Khamarbari of the town here this noon.
 
The Food Department and The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) jointly arranged the function in association with DAE.
 
Additional DD of the DAE Rostam Ali addressed the function as the chief guest and Project Manager of GAIN Ahmed Shihab Zaman spoke at the event as the special guest while Assistant Controller of Food Shakib Rezwan presided over.
 
Sadullapur upazila agriculture officer Matiul Alam, Saghata upazila agriculture officer Md. Sadequzzaman, Journalist Sarker Mohammad Shahiduzzaman, Zinc paddy grower Younus Ali Sarder, , miller Abdul Bari addressed the meeting, among others, while Saghata upazila food controller Mamunur Rashid moderated it.
 
The speakers said as the zinc rice has nutritional value, they emphasized for motivating the farmers to cultivate zinc rice in the seasons to help them earn economic profit and to build a healthy nation through the consumption of zinc rice.
 
Consultant of GAIN Dr. Munir Uddin as a resource person made a powerpoint presentation and said the farmers could farm different varieties of Zinc paddy like BRRI Dhan 72, BRRI Dhan 74, BRRI Dhan 84, Bangabandhu Dhan 100 and Bangabandhu Dhan 102 in Boro season.
 
Assistant controller of food Shakib Rezwan said a total of 13, 800 tonnes of rice would be procured through 12 purchasing centers of the department at the rate of Taka 1280 per maund (40-Kg) during the current Boro season.
Of them, 690 tonnes of zinc rice would be purchased from the farmers through the centers, he added.
 
He also sought wholehearted cooperation of all the concerned to make the zinc rice procurement drive a grand success during the current season.
 
Around 50 farmers, millers, food staff, sub assistant agriculture officers, journalists and upazila agriculture officers took part in the meeting.