3M acres of sunflower crops planned to boost local oil production

Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung met Bago Region Chief Minister U Myo Swe Win, Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win and Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein on 17 and 18 August, respectively. They discussed how the State economic promotion fund is supporting the cultivation of summer paddy, as well as the monsoon paddy project and oil crop project activities, sown acreage expansion of sunflower and cotton crops, to develop dairy cattle farming through inbreeding programes.
The Union minister stated self-sufficiency in domestic edible oil with sunflower crops. The planting of sunflower crops in various regions and states is targeted for 1.09 million acres. By 2027-2028, a total of 3.07 million acres of sunflowers will be grown. The Union minister also focused on educating farmers to reduce the use of pesticides that harm pollinating insects. He also stressed the need to increase domestic milk and dairy production and reduce dairy imports. Over 60,000 dairy cows will be bred in five major regions from 2024 to 2028. He also said that ministries and state and regional governments need to collaborate on methods and technical support for this project.
Then, chief ministers discussed the respective projects of oil crop production to increase the country’s economy. Furthermore, the Union minister met farmers from Sarmalauk Village of Nyaungdon Township, accompanied by Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win. They also inspected the planting of monsoon paddy fields and the spreading of manure there. — MNA/TRKM