Zinc-enriched rice increases disease resistant capacity: Experts

RANGPUR: Experts have called upon the farmers for enhancing cultivation of zinc-enriched rice that increases disease resistant capacity of the people, prevent malnourishment and deficiency of vital micronutrients, reports BSS.
They made the call at a ceremony organised by RDRS Bangladesh, a reputed NGO, for distribution of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice seed among farmers at Garagram Union Federation Office under Kishoreganj upazila in Nilphamari district yesterday.
The NGO has been expanding farming technology of short duration variety zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice and BRRI dhan 64 rice in Nilphamari district since 2013 as a local implementing partner of The Harvest Plus Challenge Programme.
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture and International Food Policy Research Institute have been coordinating the technology dissemination process for ensuring seed production, processing and storing of the high zinc rice.
The NGO completed distribution of 3,735 kilogram BRRI dhan 62 and BRRI dhan 64 rice seed from June 14 to June 19 among 1,245 farmers for cultivation of the rice during this Aman season on 1,245 bigha lands in four upazilas of Nilphamari district.
Kishoreganj Upazila Agriculture Officer of the Department of Agriculture (DAE) Enamul Haque attended the seed distribution ceremony and distributed BRRI dhan62 rice seed among the farmers as chief guest yesterday.
Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid attended the ceremony as special guest with its Programme Coordinator for Nilphamari KM Rashedul Arefin in the chair.
Rashedul Arefin said the NGO has been assisting 1,245 farmers in cultivating zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 and BRRI dhan 64 rice varieties on 1,245 bigha lands with one bigha each in Nilphamari district during this Aman season.
The chief guest said farmers can cultivate potato or mustard and subsequently vegetables on the same land after harvesting of the short duration (100 days) BRRI dhan 62 rice during the Aman season to reap more profits.
He discussed about technologies and methods of preparing lands, drainage of additional water,
quantity of fertilisers and agronomical managements for farming BRRI dhan62 rice during Aman season.
“Optimum consumption of zinc-enriched rice is essential for increasing disease resistant capacity, normal growth and flourishing talents of children, reducing risks of diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia, maternal and neonatal deaths,” he said.
He said each kilogram of BRRI dhan62 rice contains 19.6 milligram zinc and suggested for expanded cultivation of the rice to overcome deficiency of micronutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin-A by the poorer section people.

Zinc-enriched rice increases disease resistant capacity: Experts

RANGPUR: Experts have called upon the farmers for enhancing cultivation of zinc-enriched rice that increases disease resistant capacity of the people, prevent malnourishment and deficiency of vital micronutrients, reports BSS. They made the call at a ceremony organised by RDRS Bangladesh, a reputed NGO, for distribution of zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice seed among farmers at Garagram Union Federation Office under Kishoreganj upazila in Nilphamari district yesterday. The NGO has been expanding farming technology of short duration variety zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice and BRRI dhan 64 rice in Nilphamari district since 2013 as a local implementing partner of The Harvest Plus Challenge Programme. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture and International Food Policy Research Institute have been coordinating the technology dissemination process for ensuring seed production, processing and storing of the high zinc rice. The NGO completed distribution of 3,735 kilogram BRRI dhan 62 and BRRI dhan 64 rice seed from June 14 to June 19 among 1,245 farmers for cultivation of the rice during this Aman season on 1,245 bigha lands in four upazilas of Nilphamari district. Kishoreganj Upazila Agriculture Officer of the Department of Agriculture (DAE) Enamul Haque attended the seed distribution ceremony and distributed BRRI dhan62 rice seed among the farmers as chief guest yesterday. Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid attended the ceremony as special guest with its Programme Coordinator for Nilphamari KM Rashedul Arefin in the chair. Rashedul Arefin said the NGO has been assisting 1,245 farmers in cultivating zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 and BRRI dhan 64 rice varieties on 1,245 bigha lands with one bigha each in Nilphamari district during this Aman season. The chief guest said farmers can cultivate potato or mustard and subsequently vegetables on the same land after harvesting of the short duration (100 days) BRRI dhan 62 rice during the Aman season to reap more profits. He discussed about technologies and methods of preparing lands, drainage of additional water, quantity of fertilisers and agronomical managements for farming BRRI dhan62 rice during Aman season. Optimum consumption of zinc-enriched rice is essential for increasing disease resistant capacity, normal growth and flourishing talents of children, reducing risks of diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia, maternal and neonatal deaths, he said. He said each kilogram of BRRI dhan62 rice contains 19.6 milligram zinc and suggested for expanded cultivation of the rice to overcome deficiency of micronutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin-A by the poorer section people.