Zinc-enriched rice increases disease resistant capacity: Experts

RANGPUR: Agriculture experts yesterday called upon the farmers for enhancing cultivation and consumption of zinc-enriched rice to increase 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 402 kilogram zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice seed among 134 flood-hit farmers at Khuniagachh Union Federation Office under Sadar upazila in Lalmonirhat.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for Lalmonirhat Bidhu Bhushan Roy attended the ceremony as the chief guest with Chairman of Khuniagachh Union Federation Mohammad Ali in the chair.
District Training Officer of DAE Dr Sarwarul Haque, Programme Manager (field coordination) of RDRS Bangladesh for Lalmonirhat Maidul Islam, Agriculture Officer Saiful Islam and union parishad member Anwarul Islam addressed as special guests.
Maidul Islam said the NGO has been assisting 134 flood-hit farmers with 3 kilogram zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice seed in cultivating the short duration rice on 134 bigha lands with one bigha each in Lalmonirhat district during the current Aman season.
“After harvesting BRRI dhan62 rice in only 100 days from seed to seed during the current Aman season, the flood-hit farmers can cultivate potato or mustard and subsequently vegetables on the same land to reap more profits,” he added.
The chief guest called upon the flood-hit farmers to properly prepare seedbeds for timely transplantation of the BRRI dhan62 rice seedling in their flood-affected lands to get maximum output for recouping crop losses they incurred during recent floods.
“Each kilogram of BRRI dhan62 rice contains 19.6 milligram zinc,” he said and suggested the farmers for expanded cultivation of the rice to overcome deficiency of micronutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin-A by the poorer section people.
Talking to BSS, Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said the NGO today completed distribution of 2,100 kilogram BRRI dhan62 rice seed among 700 flood-hit farmers in nine upazilas of Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Nilphamari districts.

 

Zinc-enriched rice increases disease resistant capacity: Experts

RANGPUR: Agriculture experts yesterday called upon the farmers for enhancing cultivation and consumption of zinc-enriched rice to increase 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 402 kilogram zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice seed among 134 flood-hit farmers at Khuniagachh Union Federation Office under Sadar upazila in Lalmonirhat. Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for Lalmonirhat Bidhu Bhushan Roy attended the ceremony as the chief guest with Chairman of Khuniagachh Union Federation Mohammad Ali in the chair. District Training Officer of DAE Dr Sarwarul Haque, Programme Manager (field coordination) of RDRS Bangladesh for Lalmonirhat Maidul Islam, Agriculture Officer Saiful Islam and union parishad member Anwarul Islam addressed as special guests. Maidul Islam said the NGO has been assisting 134 flood-hit farmers with 3 kilogram zinc-enriched BRRI dhan62 rice seed in cultivating the short duration rice on 134 bigha lands with one bigha each in Lalmonirhat district during the current Aman season. After harvesting BRRI dhan62 rice in only 100 days from seed to seed during the current Aman season, the flood-hit farmers can cultivate potato or mustard and subsequently vegetables on the same land to reap more profits, he added. The chief guest called upon the flood-hit farmers to properly prepare seedbeds for timely transplantation of the BRRI dhan62 rice seedling in their flood-affected lands to get maximum output for recouping crop losses they incurred during recent floods. Each kilogram of BRRI dhan62 rice contains 19.6 milligram zinc, he said and suggested the farmers for expanded cultivation of the rice to overcome deficiency of micronutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin-A by the poorer section people. Talking to BSS, Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said the NGO today completed distribution of 2,100 kilogram BRRI dhan62 rice seed among 700 flood-hit farmers in nine upazilas of Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Nilphamari districts.