Summer paddy cultivation this year surpassed the target. The number of summer paddy in the Yangon Region expanded to 206,944 acres with an adequate irrigation water supply.
The number of summer paddy acres increased by 20,805 acres in Yangon Region. A total of 61,581 acres of summer paddy out of 206,944 have been harvested as of 21 April. Reaping summer paddy will be undertaken on the remaining acres. The high price of paddy prompted the growers to expand the acres. Dams play a big role in feeding the farms adequate water and summer paddy yield is successful in Yangon Region.
“Thanks to irrigation water and the high price of paddy, the growers can scale up the farming acres,” said Daw Hla Kyi, deputy director of Yangon Region’s Agriculture Department.
Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department provides irrigation water by Paunglin, Lagunpyin, Mahuya, Ngamoeyeik, Kalihtaw, Taunglonemyaung, Tabuhla, Bantbwaygon and Zarmaniinn dams for the growers to facilitate in the farming process. Furthermore, Ngamoeyeik and Lagunpyin dams supply water to Yangonites daily. “The irrigation system can cover the summer paddy fields up to early May despite the declining storage capacity. Lagunpyin and Ngamoeyeik dams will continue to supply water for Yangon residents. Irrigation water plays a pivotal role in summer paddy cultivation. The maintenance activities for the dam strength are carried out every year,” said U Nyan Soe, assistant director of the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department in the Yangon Region. Myanmar has 235 dams that store water, mostly found in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions. There are nine reservoirs which supply water for the agriculture of the Yangon Region. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/EM
