The implementation of a mutual farming system through collaborative efforts of organizations will be beneficial for the production of the agricultural sector: Senior General

An agricultural engineering subject must be taught at the schools at different levels so as to efficiently utilize the water, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the opening of the meeting on the enhancement of the agriculture sector and socioeconomic life of farmers by Participatory Irrigation Management, at the training school of agricultural education and rural development of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation in Zeyathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
Speaking at the meeting, the Senior General said a total of 245 dams and reservoirs, as well as 210 river water pumping stations, were built on Ayeyawady, Chindwin, Thanlwin and Sittoung rivers and tributaries.
There are 25.517 million acres of rainfed and irrigated farmlands, some 15 million acres of monsoon paddy and some three million acres of monsoon paddy. Among them, more than 20 per cent of 33.2 million net sown acres are irrigated by dams. If more than 6 million irrigated farmlands are placed under triple cropping pattern such as paddy-bean-paddy, paddy-sunflower-paddy, paddy-sesame-paddy and paddy and other two crops with systematic irrigation facilities, the socioeconomic life of farmers will face a great change.
An agricultural engineering subject must be taught at the schools at different levels so as to efficiently utilize the water. Farmers themselves need to effectively participate in the efficient utilization of agricultural water from dams built across the nation.
The implementation of a mutual farming system through collaborative efforts of organizations will be beneficial for production of the agricultural sector. Currently, the government has set up the K230 billion fund allotted from the K400 billion State economic promotion fund for successfully growing 850,000 acres of summer paddy and 500,000 acres of green gram through a mutual farming system as of the coming season.
The Senior General urged farmers to participate in the management of the irrigation system in the entire nation on a wider scale through collaborative efforts so as to shape the nation as a prosperous and food-sufficient country for serving the interests of the State and themselves.
Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Tin Htut Oo reported on the enhancement of the socioeconomic life of farmers and the agriculture sector through Participatory Irrigation Management.
Then, the video clip was presented on the enhancement of the socioeconomic status of farmers and the implementation of the agriculture sector through Participatory Irrigation Management.
After cordially greeting the farmers who are leaders of water users groups across the nation, the Senior General visited the booths of water users groups, Ngalaik dam irrigation system, irrigation development training school, machinery used in underground water survey, management for the emergency state of dams, solar-powered pumps, mechanized farmland reclamation, water supply functions, natural fertilization production, agricultural machinery, solar-powered pump system produced by Myanmar agricultural machinery factory (Ingon), cultivation of crops with the use of Head Mist Sprinkler, Water Supply Flimpipe (Drip), Rootzone Mini-Sprinkler, measurement of Global Water Flow Probe, types of canals, supply of water from valves from sluice gates, and irrigated monsoon paddy plantations.
After asking about necessary facts what he wanted to know, the Senior General gave the necessary guidance.
The meeting was attended by 200 farmers who are leaders of water user groups from regions and states with an attendance of 250 more farmers through online virtual.
They will participate in the roundtable discussions under the title of enhancement of agriculture sector and socioeconomic life of farmers by Participatory Irrigation Management, joined the leadership course and agricultural research lecture and courses on dam management and role of water user farmers, and crops and land utilization. — MNA