Call to procure zinc rice directly from farmers
Tuesday, 6 June 2023
GAIBANDHA, June 05 (BSS): Speakers at a function here on Monday underscored the need for procuring of zinc rice from the farmers directly to help them to earn economic profit and to inspire them to cultivate zinc rice varieties at larger scale in the coming seasons.
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 these comments while addressing a district level coordination meeting 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 this noon.
Department of Food, DAE and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) jointly arranged the function in association with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
DD of the DAE Krishibid Khorshed Alam Sarker attended the function and addressed it as the chief guest and DD of the BADC Rangpur Masud Sultan spoke at the event as the special guest while District Controller of Food Al- Waziur Rahman presided over the meeting.
Consultant of GAIN Dr. Munir Uddin as a resource person showed power point presentation on the theme and said the farmers could farm seven varieties of Zinc paddy in two seasons. Of them, BRRI Dhan 62, 72 and BINA Dhan 20 could be farmed during the Aman season and BRRI Dhan 74, 84 and Bangabandhu Dhan 100 and 102 during the Boro season.
The speakers in their speeches said as the zinc rice has the nutrition value more, they emphasized for motivating the farmers to cultivate zinc rice in the seasons to come to help them to earn economic profit and to build healthy nation through the consumption of zinc rice.
District Controller of Food Al Waziur Rahman said a total of 10,651 tonnes of rice would be procured through 12 purchasing centers of the department at the rate of Tk 1200 per maund (40 kgs) during the current Boro season.