DHAKA: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) have developed 'Golden Rice', the world's first-ever vitamin A-rich rice.

“The golden-colored rice is waiting for approval of the Environment Ministry,” said Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque while talking to reporters at secretariat after a meeting with the delegation to IRRI on Thursday (Jan 31).

In the meantime, the United States, Canada and Australia have approved this rice modified through biotechnology engineering.

“It's GI (glycemic index) rice. IRRI discovered it to meet the needs of poor people. It’s the improved verity of rice; not hybrid one. So, it is possible to keep conservation of seeds like other common varieties. It is easy to cultivate like other species”, says the agriculture minister.

“Our poor people are dependent on rice. They can not buy nutritious vegetables or fruits. It has been done by a gene development to meet their nutritional deficiencies. Hopefully the Ministry of the Environment will approve within three months. The Ministry of Environment is testing cautiously as it is a GI verity”.

In the meeting, IRRI has made the request so that the rice get approval of Ministry of Environment quickly. They have played a role to help the country to achieve self-sufficiency in food and always providing support to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), said Minister Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque.

They discussed that the new variety of rice will be helpful for our coastal area's saline conditions, he added.

BDST: 1400 HRS, JAN 31, 2019
RS/SMS