Biotech Updates

Golden Rice Available in Bangladesh in Months Time

March 13, 2019

The vitamin A-enriched rice known as Golden Rice will soon be available in Bangladesh, according to Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzaque. He said this to news reporters after a meeting with the officials of the International Rice Research Institute.

According to the World Health Organization, one in every 5 pre-school children in Bangladesh is vitamin A-deficient, while 23.7 percent of pregnant women have vitamin-A deficiency.

"Golden rice is more important than other varieties as it will help fight Vitamin A deficiency. The rice variety has already got clearance in USA, Canada and Australia… A committee of the environment ministry will give clearance to the rice for production. We will be able to start cultivation in Bangladesh within two to three months upon getting the clearance," he said.

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