October 14
THE seed processing plant and warehouses constructed under the Seed Project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Shwebo District of Sagaing Region are now complete and expected to run in December, said U Tin Maung Swe, head of the district agriculture department.
The construction of the seed processing plant and warehouses to promote the utilization of quality seed in the project area was started in the first week of October 2019 and completed in December 2020.
“We will conduct test runs in December especially in monsoon paddy season,” he added.
The plant and warehouses are located in Wetlet, Shwebo and KhinU townships, categorizing Type A, B and C. Type A includes two dryers while type B has only one dryer. However, Type C does not have a dryer. A seed dryer can process 750 baskets within 12 hours.
“If we have such plants, the farmers can easily get the quality seeds. If they grow the quality seeds, the production rate will increase and there would be quality paddy. If so, they can get good prices. We mainly grow Shwebo Pawsan in Shwebo district. Shwebo Pawsan is such good quality rice and so we focus on preserving Shwebo Pawsan. The plant can process Ayeyar Min and other types of rice in addition to Shwebo Pawsan. Therefore, the local farmers can buy the quality seeds in time and grab achievements for have quality paddy,” he continued.
The Seed Project was implemented in Shwebo, Wetlet, KhinU, Dabayin and Taze townships of Sagaing Region with JICA loans. The Agriculture Department, farmers, seed production organizations and other related companies are also working together to provide quality rice seeds to the farmers. — Lu Lay/GNLM
