Myanmar is making efforts to promote the development of agricultural
sector with long- and short-term plans being implemented for transformation of
conventional farming into mechanized farming across the country.
Special emphasis is being placed
to improve living standard of farmers and boost agricultural development.
On the occasion of Saturday’s
Peasants Day, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, in his message, cited the private
sector’s active participation in the production of high yield and marketable
quality of all crops.
He called on the government to
increase agricultural loan to address the peasants’ need of the injection of
capital in the sector.
The president encouraged farm
enterprises to shift from export of raw agricultural produce to quality product
by establishing advanced rice mills, oil mills, refineries and packaging
facilities.
He also emphasized the needs to
catch up with neighboring agro-based economies through five ways, namely
enthusiasm, mindset change, land reform, mechanization and using high-yield
strains.
He also called on farmers to
boost production for food sufficiency as Myanmar’s population is expected to
reach about 100-M in next 30 yrs.
He further underlined the need of
higher education for new generation of the farmers.
Meanwhile, Myanmar government and
the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have signed a five-year Country
Program Framework Agreement (2012-16) in February to implement three of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The program will be carried out
by the FAO and 3 Myanmar ministries; Agriculture and Irrigation, Livestock
Fisheries, and Forestry to assist the MDGs No. 1, 7 and 8.
Myanmar is also cooperating with
the international organizations for the development of agriculture which
includes building an agricultural research institution at the University of
Agriculture in Yezin in Nay Pyi Taw with the assistance of India.
Upon completion of the
institution, India is to send experts to conduct training on academic and
research works and the institution will admit graduates from Yezin University
of Agriculture for pursuing further studies.
To promote the agricultural
development, India has also extended an aid of 10 million U.S. dollars’ farming
equipment to Myanmar.
In addition, Myanmar is
cooperating with 2 agricultural firms from Thailand and the Philippines in
terms of production technique in a bid to produce quality paddy seeds and rice.
The Thai firm will export 1.8-M
tons of Rice per year, while the Philippines, which is engaged in research,
development and production of superior Hybrid Rice, will export 500,000 tons of
Rice annually.
Myanmar is also bringing in
Japanese technology from the Mizuho Financial Group Inc NYSE:MFG of Japan to
push for agricultural development.
In an effort to boost trade with
Myanmar, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has launched a new business
support center in Yangon. Companies from South Korea and Vietnam are also
planning to make investment in Myanmar.
MITSUI & Co., Ltd. PINK:MITSY
from Japan and Vina Capital LN:VOF from Vietnam have signed memorandums of
understanding (MOU) with Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation Limited
(MAPCO) for agricultural cooperation.
MAPCO will set up the Integrated
Food and Energy Production factories in Yangon, Ayeyawady and Bago regions as
well as Nay Phi Taw.
An Integrated Food and Energy
Production Complex factory will be built in Yangon region, which would be
jointly constructed by MITSUI & Co., Ltd and MAPCO.
The Japanese company is planning
arrangements to establish advanced rice grinding and purifying mills.
As of the end of Y 2012, foreign
investment in Myanmar’s agricultural sector totaled US$182.75-M in 9 projects,
accounting for only 0.44% of the total since the country opened to such
investment in late Y 1988.
Myanmar exported 610,500 tons of
Rice, gaining nearly US$212.2-M in Y 2012, a drop from 789,100 tons and
US$307-M in Y 2011, according to the government’s statistics.
Paul A Ebeling Jr
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Health care and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN 's area. We are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at christian.siodmak@gmail.com. Many thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment