Boosting Food Security : Selecting drought-resistant rice varieties for Central Myanmar

Farmers participated in selecting drought-resistant rice varieties suitable for Myanmar’s central dry zone. The event was held at the Department of Agricultural Research in Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday.

Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung, along with deputy ministers, senior officials, researchers, and about 90 farmers from Nay Pyi Taw, Yenanchaung, Chauk, Yamethin, and Pyawbwe townships, attended the event.

The program aims to boost food security in regions with low rainfall by promoting rice varieties that require less water. Four trial rice varieties were grown using only natural rainwater, without irrigation. Farmers were invited to observe, taste cooked samples, and vote for their preferred variety.

It is learnt that these rice varieties are not only drought- and heat-tolerant, but also mature quickly and are more resilient to climate change impacts like extreme weather. Once selected, the preferred variety will be multiplied and distributed in time for the upcoming cultivation season.