Day- long ToT held in Sirajganj
A day-long Training of Trainers (ToT) for extension personnel of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) was held in Sirajganj on Wednesday under the Multisectoral Alliance for Improved Nutrition (MAIN) project, which aims to contribute to improved mother and child nutrition through nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
The training was held at Training room of Deputy Director’s office, DAE where a total of 48 Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAOs) from 5 upazilas of Sirajganj district participated. The main focus of the ToT was zinc biofortified rice production technology, nutrition, biofortification, the importance of zinc biofortified rice, and the promotion of biofortified crops at the farmer level.
The Deputy Director, DAE, Sirajganj, A. K. M. Monjure Maula, attended the programme as the Chief Guest and inaugurated the ToT through his opening remarks. In his speech, he highlighted the important role of SAAOs in transferring improved agricultural technologies to farmers.
He also emphasized the importance of DAE’s active support in promoting zinc biofortified rice and encouraged all concerned to work together to increase the production and consumption of nutritious crops at the household level.
The training was presided over by the Additional Deputy Director, Plant Protection, DAE, Sirajganj, Md. Anower Shadat. He emphasized the importance of proper implementation of seed distribution, farmers’ training, and field-level extension activities.
The Country Manager of HarvestPlus Solutions, Md. Wahidul Amin, attended the event as the Guest of Honor. In his speech, he highlighted the journey of HarvestPlus, HarvestPlus Solutions, and Nutritious AgriFuture Bangladesh Ltd. (NAF-BD). He mentioned the generous support of HarvestPlus and HarvestPlus Solutions in the development, release, and promotion of zinc biofortified rice in Bangladesh.
The Program Manager of HarvestPlus Solutions, Mozibar Rahman, attended the programme as a Special Guest. He highlighted the objectives of the ToT and emphasized the role of SAAOs in promoting zinc biofortified rice at the field level. He mentioned that the knowledge gained from the ToT would help the SAAOs support farmers in adopting zinc rice production technology and understanding the nutritional importance of biofortified crops.
Dr. Hirendra Nath Barmon, Scientist officer from the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). He covered zinc biofortified rice production technology, including seedling raising, transplanting, water management, disease and pest management, and other important crop management practices following Good Agricultural Practice (GAP).
The Research Manager of HarvestPlus Solutions, Md. Zakiul Hasan trained on nutrition, biofortification, zinc biofortified rice, and the activities of the MAIN project.
The trainees mentioned that through this training, they received necessary guidance on the benefits, production technology, technical knowledge, and extension of zinc biofortified rice.
They also expressed that they would take necessary steps to disseminate the knowledge gained from the training at the field level, which would support the promotion and expansion of zinc biofortified rice among farmers.
Under the MAIN project, HarvestPlus Solutions will distribute seed of Binadhan-20 among 800 farmers in Aman season in five upazilas of Sirajganj district.
Speakers at the event emphasized that coordinated efforts among DAE, research institutions, and development partners are essential for expanding zinc biofortified rice at the farmer level. The trained SAAOs are expected to disseminate the knowledge and technical information gained from the ToT to farmers in their respective working areas.
The training was organized by Nutritious AgriFuture Bangladesh (NAF-BD) Ltd. in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension,
