Shan State emphasizes food sufficiency, enhancement of people’s living standard

A coordination meeting to manage systematic learning of vocational courses took place at the office of Shan State Administration Council on 23 April, attended by Union Minister for Agriculture, Livest-ock and Irrigation U Tin Htut Oo.
The meeting focused on job opportunities for local people, enhancement of living standard, the emergence of modern oil mills, encouragement to the establishment of the wholesale market, change of quality crops and pedigree animals suitable for the region, assistance of necessary techniques, pest control over agricultural and livestock export products, the potential for feedstuffs, renovation of Heho Agricultural Institute and undertaking of preliminary tasks, an extension of agricultural and livestock breeding technical courses in Shan State (South, North and East), an invitation to agricultural service providers, use of agricultural machinery by farmers and formation of cooperative societies.
Shan State has 88 per cent of rice sufficiency, 66 per cent of cooking oil and more than 200 per cent of beans and pulses. As such, Union level officials and local authorities will join hands in undertaking local food sufficiency, change of growing crops suitable for the region, modern techniques and formation of cooperative societies.
The Union Minister inspected Namkhwi Dam in Hopong Township and Hsegyi Dam in Taunggyi Township.
Namkhwi Dam irrigates 1,690 acres of farmlands, and Hsegyi Dam, 3,000 acres of land. There are more than 290,000 acres of irrigated farmlands in Shan State.
In the Holi and Lonhay villages of Hopong Township, the Union Minister discussed the supply of water from springs, livelihoods of local people, cultivation of coffee plants, market potential and utilization of cultivable lands under the law. — MNA