Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) U Min Naung, together with Chief Minister of Magway Region U Tint Lwin, met with the producers and growers of cotton plants in Magway on 29 March.
The Union minister emphasized the importance of promoting cotton plantations, highlighting their role in the development of cotton-based MSMEs and the anticipated increase in cotton production, which would facilitate exports beyond domestic demand. He also projected that a total of 612,712 acres of cotton plants would be grown across 19 cotton plantation zones in six states and regions during the 2024-25 financial year, with an anticipated yearly increase in production leading to an expansion of the designated cotton plantation areas to 747,000 acres by 2027-28 FY. It is estimated that 700 visses of cotton will be produced per acre.
The Union minister continued that more than 260,000 acres of cotton plantations are targeted to grow in four agricultural zones located in Magway Region. He also urged departments, businesspersons and farmers to collaborate among them to overcome difficulties and limitations encountering in cotton plantations and productions.
Director-General of Agriculture Department Dr Ye Tint Tun discussed expansion of cotton sown acreage, use of quality cotton seeds, requirements to comply with the seed law, and the matters related to quality of crops, productivity, market situation, and long-term benefits of farmers.
Members from cotton plantation and producers association and cotton growers discussed experiences and needs that were encountered in cotton plantations. Experts and scholars from Agriculture Department exchanged views.
In Magway Region, there were 172,793 acres of cotton plantations in 2022-23 FY, 217,416 acres in 2023-24 FY, 266,800 acres are projected to grow in four agricultural zones in 2024-25 FY; and a total of 350,000 acres are projected in 2026-27 FY.
— MNA/ TMT
