Myanmar sets up rice export zones across four areas covering 200,000 acres
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Htet Nadi/Saw (NP News) - Feb 14
According to the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF), rice export zones are being implemented in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon Region, Bago Region, and Ayeyarwady Region, covering around 200,000 acres.
This initiative by the MRF is being carried out in collaboration with farmers' organizations and export companies under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, with the aim of doubling rice exports.
“Now, we have started working in Ayeyarwady Region, Bago Region, Yangon Region and Nay Pyi Taw Council Territory. We are negotiating with farmers and export companies in some places in detail. In some places, we have already started planting. As we have determined, we will work in Ayeyarwady Region, Bago Region, Yangon Region and the Nay Pyi Taw Council area. For summer paddy, we estimate that we will be able to implement around two hundred thousand acres. We are prioritizing and preparing for the upcoming monsoon paddy. We have earmarked 340,000 acres. But now we can do around two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand acres. We are still negotiating, so we do not know the details yet,” said U Ye Min Aung, Chairman of the Myanmar Rice Federation.
In the Rice Export Zone, seeds such as 90 days, Ae Ma Hta, Nga Sein GW 11, and Aung Naing Toe will be planted for summer rice, and are currently being cultivated in collaboration with about 20 export companies.
“The Export Zone is not just a regular farming zone. The main thing is to ensure that there are no pesticide residues. The other thing is to ensure good yields. The seeds are pure and the ones that are really popular in the export market,” he continued.
According to the MRF, farmers in the Export Zone will be provided with production support at a rate of 450,000 kyats per acre.
On January 31, farmers in the rice export zone in Yangon Region were provided with planting materials, fertilizers, and seed drills.