Staff Correpondent 

 Food Minister Afroza Khanam MP emphasized the necessity of collecting accurate data on public dietary habits and rice demand patterns on Thursday, calling for targeted research into the consumption of non-aromatic white rice (Atap Chal) to guide future national food policies.

She made the remarks as the chief guest while inaugurating an inception workshop titled “A Study on the Consumption and Demand for Non-aromatic White Rice (Atap Chal) in Selected Areas of Bangladesh,” organized by the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU) at the Directorate General of Food training hall in Dhaka.

Addressing the workshop, the Food Minister noted that while Atap Chal is traditionally used across regions for making traditional pitha and specialized dishes, comprehensive nationwide data regarding its overall consumption and consumer preference remains necessary. 

She also raised queries regarding the nutritional variations between parboiled and sun-dried (Atap) rice, questioning how milling, polishing, and repeated boiling affect essential micronutrients. 

State Minister for Food and Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari MP attended as the special guest, while Food Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana presided over the event. FPMU Director General Md. Mahbubur Rahman delivered the welcome address, and Associate Research Director Md. Mahinur Islam presented the study's concept note.

The workshop gathered the Director General of Food, regional food controllers, researchers from the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), university academics, and senior ministry officials to deliberate on regional consumption trends and nutritional planning.