Written by Paul Bettings.
Growing adequate crops using traditional farming practices had been an ever-present challenge for Bangladeshi rice farmer Sirajul and his community. But in 2016, he attended a meeting about a World Vision program called ENRICH. There he learned about zinc rice, which provides up to 60% of a person’s daily zinc serving, as well its health benefits, higher yield and resilience to disease. Through ENRICH, Sirajul received 3 kg of seeds and fertilizer along with training on their use.
Crop yield was subsequently plentiful. Sirajul, his wife Sokhnia and their 7-year-old son Shohanur, started eating zinc rice regularly. The family’s overall health improved. Moved to share his bounty, Sirajul gave some of his rice crop to pregnant women in the community. This helped put other expectant moms in a better position to raise healthy babies.
Sirajul holding up zinc rice from his field, which provides up to 60% of a person’s daily zinc serving. Photo: Paul Bettings
But that was only the beginning of Sirajul’s empowerment.
He has since become involved in other ENRICH initiatives. Nominated to be the community leader of his village, today he leads a MenCare group. The group facilitates dialogue between men in the community to challenge rigid gender norms, overcome cultural barriers and increase male involvement in the household. It’s Sirajul’s hope that this social development will give women increased decision-making power in their families and community.