Zinc-enriched rice and other biofortified crops should be included in government social protection and school feeding programmes to secure nutrition as well as food, an advocacy workshop in Pabna urged on Monday (26 October). It was held in the conference room of the Pabna deputy commissioner's office under the Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Improved Nutrition (MAIN) project, organised by HarvestPlus Solutions with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Pabna.
HarvestPlus Solutions programme manager Md Mojibar Rahman said 800 farmers in Pabna have received seed of the zinc-enriched variety BINA dhan-20 under the project, and four demonstration plots have been set up, alongside training for farmers and extension staff. Farmers in four upazilas received seed and training this aman season; for the coming boro season the plan is to reach more farmers and set up 24 demonstration plots.
Chief guest Md Aminul Islam, the Pabna deputy commissioner, said zinc deficiency can stunt children's growth and cause other health problems. Iodine deficiency was once a major problem, he said, and adding iodine to salt largely tackled it. Since rice is the staple food, ensuring zinc in rice matters, but output must be matched by processing, marketing and delivery to consumers.
Mojibar Rahman said adding biofortified rice to running government programmes such as social protection and school feeding could play an effective part in nutrition security, and he called on the authorities concerned to do so.
Presiding, DAE Pabna deputy director Md Jahangir Alam Pramanik said the department would continue to support the production and spread of biofortified crops in Pabna. Additional deputy commissioner (general) Moniruzzaman was special guest.
In an open discussion moderated by district training officer Md Saiful Islam, representatives of agriculture, food, health, education and research bodies discussed raising output of biofortified crops, building markets, inclusion in government programmes and public awareness. Atgharia upazila agriculture officer Mahmuda Motmainna conducted the workshop.
Information: desk report by Agricare24.
Photo: Paddy harvest in a haor, Sunamganj (illustrative), Balaram Mahalder / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Agricare24
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