ALMOST three million acres of summer paddy will be cultivated during this year’s summer cultivation season, according to U Ye Min Aung, president of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).

The MRF is working to achieve the government’s goals of promoting domestic production for the develop-ment of the rice sector, aiming to cultivate up to three million acres of irrigated and summer paddy this season.

“There was a slight decrease in rice production due to the cyclone last season, but this did not affect the country’s rice consumption, exports, or self-sufficiency. We are working with relevant ministries to address this shortfall. Depending on water availability, we expect to cultivate between 2.7 million and 2.8 million acres of summer paddy,” said U Ye Min Aung.

Summer paddy is primarily cultivated in Yangon, Bago, Sagaing, and Ayeyawady regions, as well as Shan State, depending on water availability. Annually, between 13 million and 14 million tonnes of rice are produced from about 17.5 million acres of monsoon and summer paddy. Around three million tonnes are exported each year to meet both domestic consumption and self-sufficiency goals. — ASH/MKKS