Myanmar Rice Conference 2022: Two-day conference took place in Nay Pyi Taw

Myanmar Rice Conference 2022 took place in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday, aiming to plan work processes for development of rice sector and tackling the challenges.

The Conference also aims to discussed plans for the supply chain process in line with the National Export Strategy, reforms and work plans to be carried out by the government and private sector. Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the opening ceremony, held at Myanmar International Convention Center II, and gave a speech.

The Prime Minister said the State Administration Council is paying special emphasis on boosting exports for economic progress of the country. Boosting rice sector is a Quick Win plan that could gain good results within a short period of time.

One of the Economic Objectives of the State Administration Council mentions to enhance production based on agriculture and livestock through modern techniques and strengthen all-round development in other sectors of the economy.

The Prime Minister urged to extend the cultivation of quality rice for boosting export. He also pointed out to make systematic arrangements for producing value-added products with the use of by products and wastage from rice sector.

Myanmar was a top country in rice export before the country gained its Independence, and it increased again starting 2001-2002 fiscal year. During the 6 months periods of current fiscal year, over 8.6 million rice have been exported to 38 countries.

Rice is the major crop in Myanmar with around 34% of all cultivation areas. About 17 million acres of paddy fields have been cultivated in 2022-2021, about 17.4 million acres in 2021-2022.

There are over 90 species of paddy with about 50 for foreign market and over 20 for domestic market. 0.85 million acres paddy will be cultivated in the upcoming summer paddy season with contract farming system, and plans are underway to provide 140 billion kyats with 200,000 kyats per acres for paddy cultivation.

Myanmar Rice Conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Myanmar Rice Federation, with the theme “Rising with Rice”. The two-day conference has been held Public-Private Dialogue to adopt the common objectives for development of rice sector.