Free Distribution of Nutrient-Rich Zinc Rice Seeds Among Farmers in Thakurgaon

Thakurgaon District Correspondent:

Nutrient-rich Zinc rice seeds have been distributed free of cost among 100 farmers in Thakurgaon. Alongside the distribution, a training session was organized for lead farmers to promote the expansion of Zinc rice cultivation.

On Wednesday afternoon (December 17), the training and seed distribution program took place at the Sikdar Hat High School grounds in Auliapur Union, Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila.

The event was organized by the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) and implemented under the REACTS-IN project of the HarvestPlus program by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Presided over by the Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer, Agriculturist Md. Abu Abdullah Al Mujahid, the event featured speeches from the Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of Auliapur Union, ESDO REACTS-IN Project Focal Agriculturist Md. Ashraful Alam, and Project Officer Md. Abu Talha Shishir, among other ESDO officials and media personalities.

The session included detailed discussions on the benefits of Zinc for the human body, symptoms of deficiency, and ways to overcome Zinc shortages. Detailed production technologies for various varieties of Zinc-rich rice and wheat were also shared. Participants engaged spontaneously and expressed their commitment to increasing production and raising public awareness to make Zinc-rich grains accessible to everyone.

Following the training, 400 kg of high-quality BRRI Dhan-102 Zinc variety seeds (4 kg per farmer) were distributed among 100 farmers.

Agriculturist Md. Ashraful Alam, Project Focal for the ESDO REACTS-IN Project, stated:

> "The REACTS-IN project is funded by the Government of Canada and is being implemented in Thakurgaon district, Bangladesh, through a consortium including World Vision, HarvestPlus, Nutrition International, and McGill University. The HarvestPlus activities are being executed in three Upazilas of Thakurgaon through ESDO."

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He further added that HarvestPlus works to improve nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops rich in vitamins and minerals. In Bangladesh, HarvestPlus is focusing on the adaptation and expansion of Zinc rice, Zinc wheat, and Zinc & Iron-fortified lentils.

Currently, varieties such as BRRI Dhan-72 and BINA Dhan-20 are being widely cultivated during the Aman season, while BRRI Dhan-74, 84, 100, and 102 are popular during the Boro season in Bangladesh.