ZCZC
BSS-36
ZINC-BRRI-DHAN
High zinc fortified ‘BRRI Dhan 100′ to be released soon
DHAKA, Feb 9, 2021 (BSS) – Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) is going to release a high-zinc fortified rice ‘BRRI Dhan 100’ which will fulfill nutritional and minerals demand of the people.
This particular rice variety will be released formally as soon as possible during the Mujib year, the decision was taken at the 104th meeting of the National Seed Board at the Agriculture Ministry conference room here today, according to an official release.
The demand for zinc is very important. Because of deficiency of zinc-rich food many fall prey to diarrhea and the BRRI invented the rice variety to meet the needs of the people.
BRRI Dhan-100, containing 25.70 milligram zinc in per kilogram rice, will be cultivated during the boro season with maximum yield of 7.69 tonnes in per hectare breaking all the previous records of the zinc fortified rice cultivated during the Aman season, said Agriculture Secretary M Meshbahul Islam, who also a president of the National Seed Board.
The new zinc fortified variety will help to fulfill the zinc deficiency as most of the nutrition include calorie, protein and minerals of the poor people comes from the rice, said the official during the meeting.
“Common symptoms of the zinc deficiency are increased rates of diarrhea. Zinc deficiency affects the skin and gastrointestinal tract; brain and central nervous system, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems,” according to the nutritional experts.
Terming the zinc fortified rice variety as the reflection of our long cherished expectation, the BRRI scientists said the duration of the variety is 148 days and yield is more compared to BRRI Dhan 29, adding that the variety is expected to be more popular among the farmers due to its exorbitant production and nutritional quality.
Additional secretary Kamlaranjan Das, additional secretary and Director general (Seed) Balai Krishna Hazra, BADC Chairman M Sayedul Islam, BRRI DG Dr M Shahjahan Kabir, BJRI DG Dr ASM Anwarul Haque, among others, among others, were present at the meeting.
BSS/PR/OG/MMA/2030HRS