Comparative Cultivation of Cotton: MoALI UM inspected comparative plantation of cotton

Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, U Min Naung, inspected a long-staple cotton test plantation within the Agricultural and Livestock Institute compound in Pyinmana, Nay Pyi Taw, on January 12.

During the inspection, the Director-General of the Agriculture Department and responsible officials presented the objectives of the comparative cultivation trial involving the KTK-1, Ngechi-11, RAKA-666, Shwe Taung-8, and B-31 varieties. They also explained the use of growth regulators at different plant stages, flowering stimulants, defoliants, as well as the cotton boll flowering status and the estimated cotton yield.

Regarding the presentation, the Union Minister discussed and instructed that, with such plant care and input costs, results should include yield figures that are viable for farmers' economic calculations. He noted that with current technology, cotton can be harvested fully and simultaneously within a set period, enabling the timely planting of the next crop.

In the long term, as agriculture shifts from manual to mechanized farming, it will become necessary to harvest the cotton crop simultaneously across acres or hectares using machinery. Therefore, he directed experts to conduct further tests to ensure technical certainty. Subsequently, the Union Minister also inspected the fields and crop plots being prepared in advance for the 2026 Farmer's Day commemorative crop seed exhibition, it’s reported.