Bangladesh is losing productivity worth Tk 1,072 thousand crore every year due to nutritional deficiency.
BIRDEM Hospital Department of Nutrition’s Chief Nutritionist Shamsun Naher Nahid Mohua made the remark on Thursday at a seminar in Sylhet titled “Right to Protein,” jointly organised by the Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and US Soybean Export Council (USSEC).
Presenting a keynote, Mohua further said, “Under-nutrition causes stunting and wasting among children less than five years of age. The death risk of mother and child increases, and 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. Eggs, broiler chickens and pangasius fish are still the cheapest animal protein in the market.”
Important information about protein is missing from the school curriculum. People are suffering from various diseases due to protein deficiency. In recent times, the infertility rate is increasing alarmingly among both males and females, she pointed out.
Participants at the seminar said Sylhet Division has seen considerable improvement in nutritional index over the past few years, but lags far behind in milk production, read a press release.
While in the country's perspective, lots of interventions have been made by the government and private sectors to increase public awareness about protein, there are still misconceptions and superstitions among a good number of people.
School teachers and imams involved in this campaign can make a difference.
Sylhet Divisional Director of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Dr Md Maruf Hasan said, “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 tonnes of meat is being produced against the demand of 4.83 lakh tonnes. But milk production is still not promising. Against the demand of 10.06 lakh tonnes, milk is being produced only at 7.05 lakh tonnes, the shortfall is about 3.01 lakh tonnes.”
Medical Officer at Sylhet Civil Surgeon Office Dr Snigdha Talukder said, “Many ethnic groups live in Sylhet. My office is working with private organisations to fulfill the desired goals of the government to reduce malnutrition.”
Meanwhile, Dr Swapnil said, “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.”
Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (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.
“Discussing protein and nutrition during the Jumma sermon will benefit the society. It will also make it easier for the government to ensure nutritional security. 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 added, “The population of our country will exceed 186 million by 2030. Food and nutrition must be ensured for all if the target is to be reached. 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 US Soy Sustainability & Marketing, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA), said in a video message, “The SDGs emphasise on ending hunger. However, we also have to ensure quality and safe protein.
“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. There are misconceptions about protein among Bangladeshi people. The USSEC and BPICC are working together to address the issues.”
USSEC Bangladesh Team Lead Khabibur Rahman (Kanchan) said, “My organisation is working to increase protein production, using less land and 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 aiming to 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 RashedHasnath moderated the session.
Sylhet Divisional Director of Islamic Foundation Md Mohiuddin, Superintendent of Sylhet Primary Teachers Training Institute (PTI) AKM Saiful Hasan, District Livestock Officer Dr Md Alamgir Kabir, and BPICC Communication & Media Advisor Md Sazzad Hossain spoke among others.
About 150 school teachers and imams participated in the seminar as well.
