Farming families in Bangladesh have been enjoying the benefits of zinc rice since 2013. This biofortified variety of the country’s most popular staple food can provide up to 60 percent of daily zinc needs. In addition to better nutrition, farmers can expect other benefits. Each of the four zinc rice varieties released to date boasts unique qualities, including early maturation, high yields and strong agronomic performance. More than a million Bangladeshi farmers have adopted the crop.
Thanks to DFID funding, HarvestPlus works with the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), the International Rice Institute (IRRI), and the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) to develop more zinc rice varieties. DFID support also allows us to build and strengthen partnerships to promote wider adoption and consumption of zinc rice in the country.
Watch the clip below featuring zinc rice in the field.