Agricultural Development: Efforts for self-sufficiency of edible oil in Kachin State

A Farmers' Educative Talk was held in Myitkyina of Kachin State, on December 14th, aiming to cultivate winter crops after harvesting monsoon paddy at the Bala Min Htin Model Plantation.

Chief Minister U Khet Htein Nan attended the event and urged all to make cooperative efforts for the extended cultivation of crops. He also coordinated the needs for timely ploughing, a sufficient supply of irrigated water, and the availability of sunflower and soybean seeds, along with fertilizer provisions.

Kachin State has to transport over 7,000 tons of edible oil per year, as there is only over 40% local oil sufficiency. To achieve 100% self-sufficiency in edible oil, plans have been made to cultivate winter oil crops at the Bala Min Htin Model Plantation. As part of these plans, a retaining wall has been constructed along the Injankha Creek, which flows through the farms, along with farm drains and feeder canals.

In addition, more than 30 solar-powered tube wells have been dug to ensure a sufficient supply of irrigated water, and fences have been constructed to prevent cattle intrusion. These efforts have led to the cultivation of winter crops, including sunflowers and soybeans, on almost all acres of the model plantation this year.