Food Sufficiency: Boosting Production of Edible Oil

A coordination meeting on extended cultivation of sunflowers and edible oil crops and boosting production of cotton in Mandalay Region was held on 7th March. Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Tin Htut Oo pledged to provide necessary assistance for sufficiency of locally produced edible oil and substituting the import.

He said negotiation will be made with the private entrepreneurs for production process. Moreover, cooperative associations will be formed for production of cotton seeds and quality species will be imported for development of the industry. He stressed that cotton can be used in multiple sectors such as production of yarns, edible oil and animal feeds.

In Mandalay Region, over 120,000 acres of sunflower plantations have been cultivated as monsoon and winter crops, and over 170,000 acres will be extended in coming cultivation season. On the 6th, the Union Minister and party met with the officials from the Research and Technology Development Unit for Cotton Crop at ShweTaung Farm in WunTwin Township, and discussed the plans for using quality cotton seeds. They later visited the Agriculture Institute in Pathein Gyi Township and inspected the cultivation of animal feeding plants.

They also met with the officials from Myanmar Coffee Association and private entrepreneurs at Pway Taung Coffee Farm and discussed the cooperative efforts for boosting production of coffee. On 8th March, the Union Minister held a coordination meeting of Central Farmland Management Group in Nay Pyi Taw, and discussed to carry out the farmland policies laid down by the government.

He stressed to carry out the tasks without damaging the agricultural lands which is essential for the food sufficiency of the country.