MoALI endeavours to achieve 600,000 acres of cotton plantation this FY
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
Irrigation (MoALI) will make efforts to reach cotton cultivation acres to
600,000 this financial year and 82 per cent of them have been planted as of 30
September, said Dr Tin Htut, Deputy Minister.
The ministry will provide seed, inputs and technical
assistance to meet the whole 700,000 acres earlier designated for cotton
cultivation and to achieve a value chain from farm to fabric cotton production.
A work coordination hybrid meeting on improving
cotton production was held in Pyay City, Bago Region, on 11 October. The deputy
minister, seed experts, soil experts, crop protection professionals, top
agriculture experts, and cotton growers from Pyay District were present at the
meeting, and those experts, as well as farmers from Magway and Mandalay
regions, virtually joined the meeting.
The deputy minister said that cotton cultivation was
targeted at 565,000 acres during last FY 2023-2024, with production of 244
million visses of cotton.
For cotton productivity, cotton crop zones have been
established in regions and states. Pedigree cotton acres also play a vital role
in it. He was also instructed officials to collaborate with cotton processors
in the private sector. Experts discussed matters regarding per-acre yield
production growth methods, crop protection, soil, seeds, industrial agriculture
and farmland. Cotton seed production technology and sulfuric acid treatment
were demonstrated.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
Irrigation has urged the farmers to replant crops as a massive flood destroyed
some croplands. At present, the ministry has been arranging to provide quality
seeds and equipment for ploughing to repair croplands and prepare seed beds in
flood-stricken areas. Those farmers in need can enquire at the nearest
Agriculture Department to replant long-staple cotton. The department has
reserved the seeds, and they are ready to cooperate with growers.
Myanmar Rice Federation and affiliated associations
will support resettlement activities in flood-hit areas, agricultural inputs
such as seeds and fertilizer and cash donations, the federation announced on 14
September. — NN/ KK
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