Mandalay Agriculture Dept targets over 48,000 sunflower acres during rainy season

Mandalay Region Agriculture Department is projected to cover over 48,000 acres of sunflower across 17 townships during the rainy season in order to help secure the edible oil.
The projected sowing acres commenced in May across 17 townships in seven districts of the Mandalay Region. More than 33,000 acres of rain-fed sunflower have been planted. The regional department is striving for the completion of the targeted acres in the region, said Daw Toe Toe Win, head of region department.
“The Agriculture Department is implementing oil crops cultivation to help ensure the edible oil sufficiency in the region. The department will carry out sunflower cultivation by September-end, depending on the rainfall. An acre produces 26 baskets of sunflower. Over 2 viss (a viss equals 1.6 kg) of Sunflower oil can be produced per sunflower basket. The sunflower oil brings health benefits to the persons with cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and cancer,” she elaborated.
The department has implemented 10 sunflower acres in Amarapura Township, 476 acres in Madaya, 33 acres in Singu, 271 acres in PyinOoLwin, 2,297 acres in Kyaukse, 2,257 acres in Singaing, 2,115 acres in TadaU, 570 acres in Meiktila, 32 acres in Mahlaing, 1,250 acres in Thazi, 26 acres in Myingyan, 323 acres in Taungtha, 611 acres in Natogyi, 81 acres in Ngazun, 6,934 acres in Kyaukpadaung, 9,833 acres in Yamethin and 6,236 acres in Pyawbwe, totalling 33,000 acres across 17 townships in Mandalay Region.
The sunflower matures in 85 days. The farmers also practice horticulture to increase their earnings, along with other oil crops such as peanut, sesame seeds and mustard oil crops. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/GNLM