Providing Agricultural Inputs: MCRD UM delivered opening speech at the event

An event of providing improved peanut seeds and agricultural inputs to peanut farmers for the 2025-2026 oilseed crop planting project was held at the technology dissemination center in Sarmalauk village, Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Region, on September 15. Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe attended and delivered an opening speech.

First, Union Minister U Hla Moe stated that the ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation to expand the cultivation of oilseed crops to ensure self-sufficiency in domestic edible oil and reduce imports.

He stated that the event would provide improved seeds and inputs equivalent to 300,000 Kyats per acre for 450 acres of cultivation, benefiting 21 peanut cooperative associations from Myanaung , Ingapu , and Nyaungdon townships.

He urged departmental staff to explain the process to the farmers clearly and to provide the necessary technology and services to help them achieve their yield targets. Next, the Director of the Ayeyawady Region Department of Cooperatives presented on the status of oilseed and peanut cultivation in the region.

The Union Minister then addressed the farmers' requests for business and regional development and provided the improved peanut seeds and agricultural inputs to the 21 cooperative associations. From there, the Union Minister, accompanied by the Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister, traveled to Sekkawtaung village in Nyaungdon Township.

They inspected the ongoing concrete paving project for a 2.5-furlong section of the 3-mile, 2-furlong inter-village road connecting Sekkawtaung and Innma , which branches off the Union Highway. The Union Minister instructed officials to ensure the work is completed on time and meets quality standards, and he coordinated to provide the necessary assistance.

Next, the Union Minister together with Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win and officials visited the Ohnpinsu model village and met with the villagers. The director of the Regional Department of Rural Development explained the progress of projects implemented under the Mekong-Lancang Village-Level Poverty Reduction Project, including completed and ongoing work.

The Union Minister provided guidance on their reports. The Chief Minister then explained the development projects being carried out in the Ayeyawady Region. After that, the Union Minister and officials viewed handicrafts made by trainees and planted commemorative trees. They also inspected the completed concrete road paving and the household-level water supply system.

They also reviewed a request to provide purified drinking water to the primary school and gave instructions. The Union Minister and officials then met with the trainees of a basic sewing technology course who are now attending an advanced course.

The course was established by the Department of Small-Scale Industries to create small-scale businesses and increase family incomes in rural areas. He encouraged the trainees and provided them with the necessary resources to open their own sewing shops.

He also inspected a chicken farming business operating with funds from the Department of Rural Development's Rural Livelihood Promotion Project (SEP) and a greenhouse/net house farming project funded by the Mekong-Lancang project.

Finally, the Union Minister and officials attended an event at the Nyaungdon Township Hall to distribute fertilizer inputs to farmers not covered by the country’s economic promotion fund. The Union Minister and Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win gave speeches and presented over 11,000 bags of compound fertilizer and 9,912 bags of urea fertilizer for 34,746 acres of farmland belonging to farmers from 30 village tracts in Nyaungdon Township. A farmer expressed words of thanks on behalf of all the farmers.