UNION Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock U Tin Htut Oo addressed a meeting on summer/monsoon paddy and crop production development in Sagaing Region yesterday morning.

The Union Minister said Sagaing Region has been cultivating summer paddy, mainly relying on the Thaphanseik Dam, which has reduced supply of water since 2019 due to insufficient rainfall.

Therefore, it is necessary for the relevant departments to make effective plans to increase crop yields and production for the coming monsoon paddy season so as not to affect domestic consumption and exports.

He instructed officials to manage water supply and consumption at all water canals systematically for effective and efficient use of irrigation water. He added the necessary arrangements for increased crop yields, including measures to prevent crop damage due to pest infestation, dissemination of technologies to reduce the use of expensive fertilizers and inputs, pre-negotiation with relevant departments to get timely planting cost and a stockpile of equipment needed for disaster prevention, mitigation and timely remediation. At the meeting, directors-general of the respective departments presented reports on the activities of each sector, and the Union Minister and the Deputy Minister discussed the requirements.

During this year’s monsoon paddy season, more than 670,000 acres will be irrigated in Sagaing Region—more than 48,000 acres with river water, more than 17,000 acres with groundwater and more than 1,070,000 acres with rainwater. Hence, over 1,800,000 acres of monsoon paddy will be cultivated in Sagaing Region this year.

MNA

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