TechnoServe, Millers for Nutrition host workshop on advancing fortified wheat flour in Bangladesh

In the quiet halls of Lakeshore Heights, where the future of health was gently yet powerfully illuminated, a gathering of minds convened on May 28, 2025 — a day etched in the ongoing journey to nurture a stronger, healthier Bangladesh. TechnoServe Inc., alongside Millers for Nutrition, wove a tapestry of hope and innovation through their motivational workshop, "Technology and Benefits of Introducing Fortified Wheat Flour in the Commercial Market."

With 46 committed participants from government, development partners, and industry, the air was rich with purpose — a shared vision to vanquish the silent scourge of micronutrient deficiencies that shadow the lives of women and children across the land. The fortified wheat flour, imbued with the vital gifts of Vitamin A, Iron, and Zinc, stood as a beacon of sustainable health and nourishment.

Md. Guljer Ahmmed, Country Program Manager at TechnoServe Inc., opened the dialogue with an earnest call for unity, reminding all that collaboration is the seed from which transformation springs. The event was graced by the inspiring presence of Md. Jamal Hossain, Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Food, who proclaimed fortified wheat flour not merely as nourishment but a steadfast strategy for public well-being in an age growing ever more conscious of health's sacred value.

S.M. Abu Sayed, Deputy Director of BSTI, lent a vigilant voice, underscoring the imperatives of quality and regulation to shepherd this noble cause. The keynote by Md. Nayem Zobayer, Senior Food Fortification Specialist, wove the technical marvels and economic wisdom behind wheat flour fortification — a solution as elegant in its simplicity as it is profound in its reach.

The room echoed with spirited dialogue as millers, industry leaders, and private sector champions embraced the mantle of voluntary fortification, affirming that the path forward is paved with shared responsibility and visionary partnership. Representatives from BASF, Müllen Chemie, and stalwart development organisations such as WFP, Nutrition International, and GAIN stood shoulder to shoulder, pledging unwavering support.

Ms. Faria Yasmin of ACI Foods Ltd. closed the gathering with words that sang of innovation and alliance — a clarion call to embed fortified wheat flour into the heart of every household, a gift of health and hope for generations to come.

As the workshop drew to a close, Md. Guljer Ahmmed's vote of thanks echoed like a promise — a collective vow to scale this noble initiative, turning the tide against malnutrition with resolve and grace. Thus, in this gathering, Bangladesh took yet another step forward, knitting together tradition and technology, past wisdom and future promise, to forge a healthier tomorrow.