The Central Administrative Body of the Farmland yesterday morning organized 34th coordination meeting at the Ministerial Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation in accordance with health guidelines.

During the meeting, Union Minister Dr Aung Thu, in his capacity as Central Administrative Body of the Farmland, said that some processes were delayed because of the COVID-19 crisis, but the Central Administrative Body of the Farmland is working hard to avoid unnecessary delays in order to support relevant investments and development processes in the region.

Regarding the farmers’ right to switch to other appropriate crops, the Union Minister said that it is important to arrange for the farmers in order that they can grow appropriate crops in accordance with the changing climate.

He said that in calculating compensations for farmlands confiscated in the past, the amounts need to be also based on the original land prices incurred during the period of the confiscations and the current prices alone should not be considered in calculating compensations. He stressed that miscalculations could cost the country more money.

Director-General U Thet Naing Oo, Secretary of the Central Administrative Body of the Farmland, explained compensations for confiscated lands, and matters related to seeking permission to use the farmlands for other purposes such as development or religious affairs. Using farmlands for other purposes can lead to development in the area and more factories can be built on those lands and that will increase the industrial productivities of the country, but on the other hand, it will reduce the number of farmlands, and it can lead to undermining food security of the country. So, the Central Administrative Body of the Farmland has thoroughly scrutinized the requests to use farmlands for other purposes.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation is also making efforts to transform vacant lands into arable lands to make up for the farmlands used in other purposes.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

Photo: MNA

The Global New Light Of Myanmar