The government is intensifying its efforts to promote the cultivation of cotton, an industrial crop vital for the burgeoning micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in natural thread production. These endeavours aim to ensure local self-sufficiency and cater to export demands.
In the upcoming 2024-25 financial year, cotton cultivation will be expanded across 19 zones in six regions and states, targeting 612,712 acres of cotton plantations. This initiative reflects a strategic plan to annually increase the sown acreage dedicated to boosting cotton cultivation, with a goal of reaching 747,000 acres by the 2027-28 financial year, yielding 700 visses of cotton per acre.
Magway Region, in particular, plans to allocate over 260,000 acres of croplands across four zones for cotton cultivation. Local farmers are encouraged to seek support from relevant agriculture departments to ensure the success of their cultivation endeavours. Emphasizing adherence to seed laws and selecting high-quality crop strains, farmers aim to surpass targeted acreage and achieve high yields of cotton wool.
Magway Region witnessed the cultivation of 172,793 acres of long and short staple cotton strains in the 2022-23 financial year, increasing to 217,416 acres in 2023-24 FY. For the 2024-25 financial year, authorities have designated four cotton cultivation zones, aiming for 266,800 acres. Plans are in place to expand this to 350,000 acres by FY 2026-27, with a focus on utilizing quality inputs to maximize yields.
Agricultural department staff members in relevant townships and districts, as well as regional and state departments, are tasked with mobilizing and supporting local growers to accelerate cotton cultivation across available croplands, ensuring production meets or exceeds targeted volumes. Successful cultivation will result in the production of raw cotton, which is ready for processing into threads for various industries.
The central regions of Myanmar, blessed with favourable weather conditions, provide an ideal environment for cotton cultivation. Despite harsh conditions in other areas, cotton crops in central Myanmar thrive in hot and dry climates. Increasing the acreage dedicated to cotton cultivation directly contributes to the sufficiency of clothing and textiles for the populace.
Actually, the government’s efforts to expand cotton cultivation aim to bolster local industries, ensure self-sufficiency, and meet export demands. Through strategic planning, support for farmers, and utilization of quality inputs, Myanmar endeavours to enhance its position in cotton production, thereby fostering economic growth and meeting the textile needs of its people.
