THE Agriculture Department and Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) are making efforts to export Myanmar’s paddy seeds to foreign countries, including the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
MRF has been planning for paddy seed export to Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia together with the Department of Agriculture.
“Paddy is extremely valuable. When green paddy for milling is worth around US$300-400 per tonne, seeds can fetch up to $700-800 per tonne. Therefore, farmers have to estimate profit per acre and determine the grain production or seed production. The Netherlands and Belgium are the leading countries in seed production and plant breeding, holding the top position in international seed export. Myanmar has self-sufficiency in paddy seed production. Consequently, the country is planning to export the paddy seed of some varieties. Some rice seeds are still being imported,” elaborated MRF President U Ye Min Aung.
Additionally, Myanmar is producing pulse seeds as well. Yet, some pulse varieties and maize are imported.
There are two types of maize: grain corn and sweet corn. The grain corn for animal feed and processed food fetches only $200 per tonne, while sweet corn is valued at up to $500 to $600 per tonne. Therefore, it is necessary to cultivate both grain corn and sweet corn in order to reduce seed import. — ASH/KK
