Project Inception Workshop: MoALI UM delivered the address at the workshop

The Project Inception Workshop for the "Conducting Research and Development for Soybean Crushing to Ensure Sufficiency of Cooking Oil and Soybean Meal in Myanmar" project, to be implemented with the (2025) Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund, was held at the Navarat Hall of the Department of Agricultural Research in Yezin, Zeyathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw on October 22.

In his address at the ceremony, Union Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung stated that the State is supporting the simultaneous and balanced development of the agriculture and livestock sectors through the Economic Stimulus initial capital fund, while the Ministry is also continuously providing technical assistance and meeting farmers' needs. Furthermore, regarding international cooperation, he mentioned that projects for the socio-economic development of rural residents are being successfully implemented using the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund from the People's Republic of China. The "Establishment of a Soybean Processing Plant through Research and Development for Cooking Oil and Soybean Meal Sufficiency in Myanmar" project is a new initiative by the Department of Agricultural Research. It will be funded by the (2025) Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund and will build upon the successful experiences of previous projects to achieve further progress and success. He also noted that nearly 58 percent of the domestic demand for cooking oil is currently being met through significant foreign currency expenditure on imports. Additionally, about 0.6 million metric tons of soybean meal, essential for the livestock sector, are purchased from abroad annually. This project represents a strategic approach to address both these needs using domestic capabilities, research, and technologies, including the production of high-quality soybeans. The main objective of this project is to strengthen the entire value chain, from soybean cultivation to the value-added products of cooking oil and soybean meal.

Following this, the Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Research explained the purpose of holding the workshop. Subsequently, the Project Focal Person presented the project work plans, and workshop attendees participated in providing suggestions and discussions.