Contributing to productivity of the State through agriculture sector

 

As the majority of people living in rural areas depend on agriculture and livestock farming for their livelihoods, the government is implementing poverty reduction and the improvement of farmers’ livelihoods as one of its key priority tasks. As about 70 per cent of the country’s population lives in rural areas, efforts are being made to improve the livelihoods of farmers and promote rural development. In addition, measures are being taken to narrow the socioeconomic disparities between urban and rural areas.

Efforts are also being made not only to ensure domestic food sufficiency but also to restore the country’s previous level of high rice exports. In addition, in line with the vision of ushering in a new era for Myanmar’s Pawsan rice, efforts are being made in the first phase to expand the cultivation and production of premium quality rice varieties that meet market demand, with the aim of exporting three million tonnes of rice annually. Measures are also being implemented to expand rice cultivation by an additional 350,000 acres according to specific rice varieties.

In the second phase, the country aims to increase annual rice exports to five million tonnes. Furthermore, efforts are being made to enable Myanmar to become one of the world’s major rice-producing countries and a “granary” capable of supplying not only the food needs of regional countries but also contributing to global food security.

To increase rice exports, rice cultivation zones covering more than 300,000 acres are being developed in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, Yangon, Ayeyawady and Bago regions. Satellite-based remote sensing technology will initially be used to monitor 100,000 acres of rice cultivation zones for export, including the status of cultivation, crop conditions and harvesting. It aims to raise farmers’ rice yields and incomes, improve the quality of rice for export, and increase annual rice exports, thereby promoting comprehensive development of the entire rice and paddy sector, led by export activities.

The development of the agricultural sector will contribute to increasing national production. While the Government is encouraging the expansion of rice varieties that have access to overseas markets, all stakeholders involved in the agricultural sector must also work together to improve the quality of the entire rice value chain. Emphasis must be placed on complying with internationally recognized quality standards, systematic packaging, branding, connecting with the global rice market, and making preparations for the timely delivery and transportation of rice to importing countries. Through these measures, greater emphasis should be placed on increasing national output through the agricultural sector.

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