Meeting with Grape Growers: Efforts for agricultural development in Yamethin

The Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, U Min Naung, met with grape growers and grape entrepreneurs at Thekyun Village, Yamethin Township, Mandalay Region, on May 6th. He provided detailed explanations and discussions regarding the implementation of a grape zone project.

Subsequently, responsible departmental officials clarified and presented the plans for assisting in the implementation of the grape zone across relevant sectors. The Union Minister then responded to questions and presentations from the grape growers and entrepreneurs.

Due to the increasing cultivation of grapes in Yamethin and Pyawbwe Townships, some farming has been taking place on irrigated paddy land, which is not legally compliant with land use regulations. To address this without disrupting business momentum and to systematically resolve such issues, and to promote commercial wine grape cultivation using vacant, fallow, and virgin lands, the government is implementing the Grape Zone Project under its direction to foster the development of finished food industries based on agricultural products. In this grape zone, only wine grapes are to be cultivated. Arrangements have already been made for the purchase of the harvested grapes by existing operating wineries. Furthermore, depending on cultivation levels and expected yields, plans are also in place for the timely establishment of additional grape wineries.

Following this, the Union Minister met with local sesame farmers at the summer sesame demonstration farm in "Phayabyu Village," in Wundwin Township. He discussed the improvement of multi-cropping production within irrigated areas and the relaxation of restrictions to facilitate easier access to agricultural loans.

Then, the Union Minister provided detailed clarifications regarding regional development presentations made by Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Myo Myint Thein, and instructed responsible officials to cooperate with relevant departments and organizations, it’s reported.