MoALI, ICRISAT to collaborate on new pulse varieties

THE Ministry of Agricul­ture, Livestock and Irri­gation will collaborate with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to develop new crop varieties of chickpea, pigeon pea, peanut and other millets, said Deputy Minister Dr Ye Tint Tun.

The discussions on tropical crop research took place on 24 August at the Department of Ag­ricultural Research (Nay Pyi Taw) during a meeting. The collaboration will fo­cus on breeding varieties resistant to climate stress and diseases, promoting mechanized farming and postharvest management, and expanding market ac­cess for these commod­ities.

ICRISAT experts also presented updates and future market prospects under the Asia Breeding Network (ASIABENET).

Directors-general from departments con­cerned, the rector of Yez­in Agricultural University, representatives from the Myanmar Pulses, Beans and Sesame Merchants Association, seed producer associations, and agricul­tural researchers attended the event. — ASH/KK