If agricultural measures can be reformed, it is believed that the State economy will skyrocket. Hence, it is necessary to focus the discussion on boosting the agricultural capability to boom the State economy, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the agricultural capacity enhancement meeting at the Department of Agricultural Research in Zeyathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Council Area yesterday afternoon.
Need to openly report on requirements of agricultural development
In his opening speech, the Senior General urged all attendees to openly report on requirements in agricultural development tasks. Those attending the meeting are professionals in the relevant sectors. Hence, priority is given to the improvement of the agricultural sector to boost the State economy.
If agricultural tasks are successfully improved, the lives of rural people will remarkably develop
According to the 2019 census, some 45 per cent of the rural people are related to the agriculture and livestock businesses. Hence, if the farming industry develops, the lives of rural people will remarkably improve.
An increase of double cropping capacity will help raise the income of the State
The country places monsoon paddy on 15 million acres of farmlands. In 2022, there were 14.9 million acres of monsoon paddy, 13.175 million acres of which are farmlands, 600,000 acres of land are croplands and 190,000 acres are hillside farmlands.
Monsoon paddy is grown on rainfed farmlands while other crops are cultivated in other lands to raise the double cropping capacity. This year, summer paddy was grown on some 1.8 million acres of monsoon paddy fields. Various crops were cultivated on 7.473 million acres of farmlands among 13.175 acres of cultivable lands. So, the land on which monsoon paddy alone was cultivated is 5.73 million acres of land.
So far, more than 5.7 million acres of land are not placed under any crops in regions and states. Last year, monsoon paddy yielded 72.64 baskets of paddy per acre. If income from the agricultural sector increases, demand and supply will rise, benefiting the State.
Efforts to be made for an increase of cotton sown acreage to ensure the sufficiency of clothing
In 2022, the country cultivated 450,000 acres of cotton plantations and more than 800,000 acres in 2011. It is necessary to encourage the successful cultivation of cotton in order to ensure the sufficiency of clothing for the people. Textile factories and garment factories must be established for the production of quality threads.
Needs to meet the target for local sufficiency of cooking oil
If groundnut, sesame, sunflower and Niger can be grown to meet the target, oil sufficiency will exceed 200 per cent without palm oil. It is necessary to produce healthy oil for consumers. Hence, an emphasis must be placed on the cultivation of oil crops and the increase of per-acre yield.
A sufficient supply of agricultural water
River water can be efficiently utilized to feed the agricultural water to the farmlands through ways and means. If agricultural water is supplied to farmlands, agricultural tasks will have achievements. If agricultural tasks can be reformed, the State economy will skyrocket.
Reports in respective sectors
SAC member Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister Admiral Tin Aung San reported on plans to sufficiently supply water to raise agricultural capacity in regions and states including Nay Pyi Taw. Other Union ministers also presented reports on efforts being made for enhancement of agricultural capacity with supply of electricity, and manufacturing of fertilizers.
Officials also explained research for oil palm and rubber cultivation and production, construction of temporary dams and embankments, farmland reform process, and human resources for raising the agricultural capacity.
Supplementary instructions over reports
In his instructions, the Senior General called for implementing mechanized farming for the development of human resources to operate agricultural tasks. He stressed the need to supervise the prevention of the loss of farmlands and the use of farmlands in other ways. Policies must be adopted for underground water tapping. Water must be efficiently utilized through proper water supply systems.
The Senior General stressed the need to manufacture agricultural machinery at home in implementing mechanized farming.
In conclusion, the Senior General said that farmland preparation is crucial for the agricultural sector. Creeks and drains should be dammed to irrigate farmlands. As Myanmar is endowed with sound foundations, it can strive for gaining success in agricultural tasks. A larger volume of agricultural produce can earn income from export for a booming State economy.
Later, the Senior General viewed paddy, pulses and beans, maize, sunflower, edible crops, kitchen crops and honey produced by the Department of Agricultural Research through research works and gave necessary guidance. — MNA/TTA
