To Build a Hunger-Free Bangladesh, We Must Change Our Food Habits: JUST Vice-Chancellor

ছবিঃ সিএনআই

Jamalpur Correspondent: To build a hunger-free Bangladesh, food habits must be changed, remarked Professor Dr. Mohammad Rukunuzzaman of Jamalpur University of Science and Technology (JUST).

On Wednesday (May 14) afternoon, he made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting titled “What Should Be Done for Easy Access to Nutrition Services” held at the training center of Jamalpur Unnayan Sangha, DTRC.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Rukunuzzaman said that eating food without knowing its quality, nutrition, quantity, and measurement is completely unhealthy. Most people do not understand the amount of calories needed in their daily diet and often consume more than necessary. Many others do not even consume the required calorie amount.

He further stated that to achieve the second goal of sustainable development — building a hunger-free Bangladesh — food habits and perspectives must change. With regret, he mentioned that people in Bangladesh rarely think about the nutritional value of their food; instead, many consume inedible or unsafe food every day. From milk and rice to all kinds of food, people are consuming items mixed with chemicals and pesticides, which is causing various diseases. To overcome this situation, it is essential to strengthen the nutrition service activities of Gain’s Cholomaar program and to follow the government’s nutrition policy.

In Jamalpur, a discussion was organized by the Directorate of Labor with technical support from GAIN, aimed at providing guidance on how various industrial entrepreneurs can receive support from the Workforce Nutrition Alliance to improve the nutritional status of workers in their workplaces and benefit from using the Food Systems Dashboard.

The discussion was attended by various government and private industrial entrepreneurs working in Jamalpur. The meeting was chaired by Md. Rafiqul Alam Molla, Executive Director of Unnayan Sangha, and the concept paper was presented by GAIN’s Project Manager, G.M. Reza Sumon.

Among others, speeches were delivered by Additional Deputy Commissioner Sarbik Iftekhar Yunus, Chief Scientific Officer of Jamalpur Regional Agricultural Research Center Manjurul Qader, Deputy Director of District Agriculture Extension Department Zakia Sultana, and Deputy Director of District Social Services Office Ibne Yusuf. The meeting was moderated by Jahangir Selim, Human Resource Development Director of Unnayan Sangha, and Ahmed Ibne Selim, Project Officer of GAIN. The concept paper on nutrition was presented by GAIN’s nutritionist Dilara Jahan, among others.

The industrial entrepreneurs present at the meeting pledged to provide additional incentives or extra financial support to protect their workers or employees from health and nutrition risks in their workplaces. Everyone attending requested training and technical assistance from GAIN to raise nutrition awareness.

At the meeting, various prominent organizations from Jamalpur participated, including the largest industrial establishment, Jamuna Fertilizer Factory, Popular Jute Mills, Jabed Agro Food, SK Foods, Zahurul Fisheries, Halim Traders, Shahid Distributor, BRAC, Central Hospital, Shahjamal Hospital, Shotodal, RCI, China Motors, Petrosem, AR Malik Seeds, the Directorate of Factory and Institution Inspection, and the Bus Owners Association, among other institutions.