MoC organizes meetings on domestic rice consumption, increasing maize and sesame production, continuous export to foreign markets

The Ministry of Commerce organized a coordination meeting on domestic rice consumption and continuous export to foreign markets, and a coordination meeting on increasing maize and sesame production and continuous export to foreign markets, on a virtual format yesterday.
At the meeting, Union Minister Dr Pwint San called for sectoral discussions to ensure domestic rice consumption and continuous export to foreign markets. He said that an emphasis is being placed on food sufficiency according to the current situation around the world, and efforts must be made to increase the price of Myanmar rice internationally at reasonable prices and to export more high-grade rice.
He also called for cooperation to ensure that all stakeholders in the rice supply chain, from agriculture to export, receive a fair return, and instead of selling the bran from rice milling as animal feed, advanced milling must be done to produce bran oil in order to meet domestic oil demand.
For domestic food security, policies that are in line with the current global context will be formulated and implemented, and relevant departments and organizations in each sector will work together, he said.
He urged all to openly discuss if there are any challenges, ensuring that relevant ministries will provide necessary assistance. Attendees discussed measures for the development of the rice sector and further activities, and the Union minister coordinated as necessary.
In the afternoon, the coordination meeting on increasing maize and sesame production and continuous export to foreign markets was held. At the meeting, the Union minister said the ministry is providing necessary support for the production and export of Myanmar products as per the SPS Protocols and regulation requirements of each country.
It is necessary for the private sector to step up its efforts to find new markets, and the State is focusing on intergovernmental coordination, he added. He stressed the need to increase oilseed plantations and reduce oil imports by meeting the needs of the domestic market.
Afterwards, attendees presented the production of pulses, sesame seeds and maize, exports of the products, local/international prices, the situation of farmers changing according to market demand and changes in trade patterns.—MNA