Citrus Fair 2021 held

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation organized an opening ceremony: Citrus Fair 2021 yesterday.
The ceremony was attended by State Administration Council Members U Sai Lone Saing and U Shwe Kyein, SAC Advisor Daw Yin Yin Nwe, Union ministers U Aung Naing Oo, U Tin Htut Oo and U Khin Maung Yi, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman U Maung Maung Naing, the deputy ministers, directors-general of the department concerned, rectors of universities, representatives of regions and states, guests and the farmers.
In his opening speech, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Tin Htut Oo said although the country has about one million acres of citrus fruits plantations across the nation, it does not meet the country’s needs and still faces market competition as they are imported from some neighbouring countries and the Middle East countries. For example, more than 67,000 tonnes of citrus fruits worth about $23 million were imported in 2020-21 while the export volume was only $1.5 million.
If there are no specific measures to develop the production and import sector, it would affect the interests of citrus fruit farmers in the long run as well as the state economy to a certain extent.
The Union minister also highlighted the six points of holding the Citrus Fair, 2021.
Then, SAC members and Union ministers cut the ribbons to launch the Citrus Fair, 2021 and viewed the display booths, competing fruits and prize-winning fruits.
The Union minister, deputy minister and departmental heads presented the first prizes, second-place and third-place prizes to the winners of respective fruit competitions.
A total of 118 people participated in eight types of fruits competition like Citrus Aurantium, orange, mandarin orange, pomelo, grapefruit, lime, lemon among others. The candidates were awarded first, second and third prizes respectively and further special prizes were also awarded.
At noon, a discussion regarding the techniques for planting the citrus fruits and the development of the agriculture sector was held and the farmers, experts and entrepreneurs joined the event. — MNA