2 August 2023: Sylhet Division has seen considerable improvement in nutritional index over the past few years, but lags far behind in milk production. While in country perspective, lots of interventions have been made by the government and private sectors to increase public awareness about protein, still there are misconceptions and superstitions among a good number of people. School teachers and imams involved in this campaign can make a difference said participants of a seminar held today in Sylhet, titled Right to Protein, jointly organized by the Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).
Sylhet Divisional Director of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Dr. Md. Maruf Hasan said that the nutrition index has improved significantly in Sylhet Division in the past few years. At present, 138.43 crore eggs are being produced against the demand of 114.76 crores annually, which means there is a surplus of about 23.66 crore pieces.On the other hand, 5.25 lakh metric tons of meat is being produced against the demand of 4.83 lakh metric tons. But milk production is still not promising. Against the demand of 10.06 lakh metric ton, milk is being produced only at 7.05 lakh metric tons, i.e. the shortfall is about 3.01 lakh metric tons.
Dr. SnigdhaTalukder, Medical Officer, Sylhet Civil Surgeon Office said, many ethnic groups live in Sylhet. His Office is working with private organizations to fulfill the desired goals of the government to reduce malnutrition. Dr. Swapnil said that the government has announced the right to nutrition as basic human rights. The present government has formulated the “National Food and Nutrition Security Policy 2020” to ensure nutrition security for all and to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Seventh Five Year Plan has given special importance to reducing malnutrition among children below 5 years of age, adolescents and disadvantaged groups of childbearing, pregnant and lactating women.Emphasis is also placed on expanding nutritional activities during the first 1,000 days of life.
Keynote presenter Shamsun Naher Nahid Mohua, Chief Nutritionist, Department of Nutrition, BIRDEM Hospitalsaid that undernutrition causes stunting and wasting among children under 5 years of age. The death risk of mother and child increases, various physical and mental complications occur in the growing age of adolescents.
The worst thing is that the effects of malnutrition are transmitted from one generation to the next. Therefore, to build a developed nation, we must get rid of the curse of malnutrition. Mohua said eggs, broiler chickens and pangasius fish are still the cheapest animal protein in the market. Mohua said important information about protein is missing from the school curriculum. She said, people are suffering from various diseases due to protein deficiency. In recent times, infertility rate is increasing alarmingly regardless among male and female.Mohua said, Bangladesh is losing productivity worth BDT 1072 thousand crore every year due to nutritional deficiency.
BPICC president Shamsul Arefin Khaled said- the role of imams in increasing public awareness during the corona epidemic, vaccination, diabetes and tuberculosis campaign is highly commendable.Talking about protein and nutrition during the Jumma sermon will benefit the society.It will also make easier for the government to ensure nutritional security. Khaled also said that the modern society has reached its present position due to the outstanding contribution of teachers. They are the only ones who can give proper education to the students about nutrition and protein.
He said, by 2030, the population of our country will exceed 186 million. Food and nutrition must be ensured for all if the target is to be reached. He said, development was once meant only economic development, but now it means nutrition sensitive economic growth.Therefore, not only economic development, but also improvement in nutrition indicators is essential.
Deeba Giannoulis, Head of U.S. Soy Sustainability & Marketing, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA), said in a video message that the SDGs emphasize on ending hunger. However, we also have to ensure quality and safe protein. She said that the United States is producing the best quality soybeans in the world and exporting to different countries. These soybeans are being consumed by humans as vegetable protein which is also being converted into animal protein. Deeba said, there is misconceptions about protein among Bangladeshi people. USSEC and BPICC are working together to address the issues.
USSEC Bangladesh Team Lead, Khabibur Rahman (Kanchan) said that his organization is working to increase protein production, using less land& time and causing minimum damage to the environment. “We are supplying soybeans and soybean meal to fish and animal feed manufacturers.We have introduced IPRS technology in Bangladesh aimingto increase fish production. Not only that, USSEC is also coming up with effective solutions for cattle and dairy projects shortly.”
The World's Poultry Science Association-Bangladesh Branch (WAPSA-BB) General Secretary, Md. Mahabub Hassan said, the life expectancy of the people of Bangladesh has increased due to the increase in protein consumption. The present generation is getting taller. Students of Bangladesh are also showing success in various international competitions including Math Olympiad.
Dean of Veterinary, Animal and Biochemical Sciences of Sylhet Agricultural University, Prof. Dr. M. Rashed Hasnath moderated the session. Sylhet Divisional Director of Islamic Foundation Md. Mohiuddin; Superintendent of Sylhet Primary Teachers Training Institute (PTI) A K M Saiful Hasan, District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Alamgir Kabir, and Communication & Media Advisor of BPICC Md. Sazzad Hossain spoke among others. About 150 school teachers and imams participated in the seminar.