Inspection of coffee project zone: MoALI UM inspected Pyin Oo Lwin coffee project zone

Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation U Min Naung, along with Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung and members of the region government, met with the leaders and officials of the Pyin Oo Lwin Coffee Project Zone Supervision Committee at the Pyin Oo Lwin Coffee Garden briefing hall on March 9.

During the meeting, the head of the Pyin Oo Lwin Coffee Project Zone Supervision Committee and the Deputy Director-General of the Agriculture Department, who is a member of the supervision committee, presented updates on the committee's activities, the regulations that coffee growers must adhere to, and plans for granting new coffee cultivation permits.

In response to the clarifications, the Union Minister instructed that applicant for coffee cultivation land permits be gathered and met with according to the designated zones. He emphasized the need to assess whether applicants have the necessary investment resources for actual cultivation.

Officials were directed to conduct field inspections and ensure that cultivation is carried out correctly in accordance with the established regulations, while also allowing for the signing of contracts. He also noted that the transfer and sale of state-owned vacant, fallow, and virgin lands had been considered as a special case to prevent disruptions in coffee production.

Taxes and fees were to be paid to the state in accordance with the law, and the deadline for payment had passed on February 17, 2025. Those who had not yet paid were to be prosecuted, blacklisted, and have their permits revoked by the end of April.

He urged those who had already signed contracts to strictly follow the regulations and strive to improve their coffee production, with necessary support to be provided. Following this, the Chief Minister discussed the efforts to develop Pyin Oo Lwin District as a model area for coffee cultivation and production.

He highlighted the need to comply with the directives related to the Pyin Oo Lwin Coffee Project and called for collective efforts to support the growth and development of the coffee sector. Subsequently, members of the supervision committee raised questions and concerns, to which the Union Minister and the Chief Minister provided detailed explanations and guidance.