Nay Pyi Taw October 19
Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing held a meeting with departmental officials and local elders from Pathein, Ayeyawady Region, this afternoon, and discussed regional development.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, arrived in Pathein and were warmly welcomed by departmental officials and local elders.
The Senior General then met departmental officials and local elders from Pathein at the town hall and discussed regional development.
Also present were SSPC Secretary Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, union ministers, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the chief ministers of Ayeyawady Region, Bago Region and Yangon Region, the South-West Command commander, MSME entrepreneurs and local people.
The Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister presented a report on points of the region, farming activities and local food sufficiency, efforts to hit the target per acre yield, use of green manure, seed production, net multiple-cropping and mixed cropping acreage, sufficient supply of irrigation water, efforts to increase the degree of edible oil sufficiency, farming and local and foreign distribution of products, product-ion and exportation of aquatic products, agricultural activities carried out with the financial assistance from national economic promotion funds, rice husk-fired power plants to increase electricity generation, road transportation improvement under-takings, MSME development undertakings, education and sports sector promotion activities, tourist arrivals and regional development undertakings.
Local elders and entrepreneurs reported the needs to upgrade, Pathein-Yangon road section and Thalatkhwa Bridge on Pathein-Ngwehsaung road, build an advanced multi-purposed sports ground, and increase tapioca cultivation and yield, progress in farming in the region thanks to the State’s support, operating rice husk-fired power plants, international involvement in the MSMEs.
Union ministers and the region chief minister explained undertakings for smooth and secure transport, ongoing riverways maintenance work, flight extension programs, disbursement of loans from national economic finds for agro-production businesses, the importance of observing the law and rules and regulations in extending agricultural land, opening of basic agricultural education high schools to generate human resources for the farming industry, and other sector-wise issues.
In his discussions, the Senior General said his visit was for the socioeconomic development of Ayeyawady Region. Increase in yield as well as improvement in quality is required in carrying out agricultural undertakings. For example, rice produced in the region must have good eating quality, and at the same time, it must be a high-yield strain. As agriculture is the main economy of Ayeyawady Region, efforts must be made for its success.
He stated that it is essential to focus on achieving good yields so that everyone can reap the benefits of their labor, setting the target yield at 100 baskets for monsoon paddy and 110 baskets for summer paddy. He stressed the need for accurate figures on the cultivated acreage and for increased yields. While acknowledging that one cannot visit all regions, he noted that data collection can be conducted on the ground in some areas and urged the responsible officials to collect all figures and data systematically to ensure accuracy.
Regarding agriculture, he stressed the need to utilize the land systematically, noting that about 10 percent of the cultivated land in Ayeyawady Region consists of deep-water fields. He recommended that these deep-water areas should be developed for a combination of deep-water paddy cultivation and fish and prawn breeding. He asserted that if the deep-water fields are utilized systematically, Ayeyawady Region will be at the forefront of the fishery and livestock pro-duction sector. Furthermore, he emphasized that farming should be done systematically using Strain (Seed), Soil, Water, and Method, and that it would be more beneficial if paddy fields could be consolidated into larger tracts.
He urged efforts to further improve paddy cultivation, emphasizing the need to plant paddy with correct spacing between plants and rows and to ensure the entire transplanted area is adequately covered. He also stressed that all farmland in the region should be prepared and cultivated, and that agricultural activities must be carried out to meet the set objectives.
Regarding livestock breeding, he stated that efforts must be made to support local consumption within the region, explaining that if both demand and supply improve, fair prices can be achieved. He noted that the development of agricultural and livestock production would lead to increased exports and greater foreign exchange earnings, which in turn would im-prove the national economy. He emphasized the need for genuine production, urging everyone to maximize their output to full capacity and gene-rate exports to earn foreign currency.
He stressed that the Paw San Hmwe rice variety is genuinely excellent and should be established as a brand for the Ayeyawady Region. He noted that the country spends foreign currency annually on imported edible oil, and since sunflowers thrive in some areas of the nation, efforts must be made to increase sunflower cultivation and production. Similarly, he urged the cultivation of other oilseed crops such as soybeans, groundnuts, and sesame. Regarding livestock, he pointed out that animal feed is available within the Region and that greatly beneficial outcomes could be achieved by further expanding the breeding of chickens, pigs, goats, and cattle.
Regarding the education sector, he noted that class transition rates are still low and therefore urged collective efforts to improve the education level within the region. He mentioned that agriculture, live-stock breeding and industrial high schools have been opened to produce the educated human resources needed for the agriculture and livestock sectors. Concerning the higher education sector, he stressed the need to improve both teaching and learning. He also stated that he is providing as much support as possible to foster the development of basic education schools and universities.
Stadiums are being upgraded while standard swimming pools are constructed in regions and states. During sports competitions, there will be spectators. For any type of sports, it is nece-ssary to hire coaches for all positions. For the development of sports, it is necessary to hire fitness coaches and technique coaches systematically. Measures must be taken for the development of sports.
In connection with healthcare, the government has been fulfilling the needs as much as possible. Requests to upgrade the road from Bo Myat Tun Bridge to Pathein and Thalutkhwar bridges will be fulfilled by negotiating with relevant ministries.
Regarding land use, vacant and virgin land will be allocated to those who will actually cultivate crops. Responsible officials are required to supervise land utilization to prevent using agricultural land for other purposes. Land must be utilized beneficially and efforts must be made to construct buildings that meet standards in cities including Pathein in regions and states. Administrative bodies are required to take systematic measures for urban development. Conservation tasks must be carried out for the growth of existing trees and forests. Bamboo thrives in Ayeyawady Region. Paper and pulp as well as household products can be manufactured from bamboo. Therefore, efforts must be exerted to boost the production of bamboo-based goods.
Preparations are being made to hold a free and fair election in December. The election will be held phase by phase. By-elections will be held in townships where elections cannot take place due to various rea-sons. Measures are being taken to use the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine – MEVM to prevent electoral frauds. In electing candidates, they should be ones who uphold “Our Three Main National Causes”, political, economic and administrative visions and can actually serve the country and regions. As the election is important for the country, everyone is urged to cooperate in successfully holding the election.
Then, the Senior General attentively observed the products manufactured by MSMEs in Ayeyawady Region displayed there and gave necessary instructions on reports of responsible officials.
Then, the Senior General and party inspected the construction of the Institute of Sports and Physical Education (Pathein) of the Department of Sports and Physical Education of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and gave necessary instructions on reports of officials.
Afterward, the Senior General and party inspected the completion of construction tasks for the Ayeyawady Region Advanced Swimming Pool (Pathein) and swimming exercises of trainees from the basic swimming and diving course.
Then, the Senior General and party arrived at Pathein Airport and heard reports on up-grading tasks of the airport sub-mitted by the union minister for Transport and Communications at the meeting hall.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General said upgrading tasks of the airport were carried out for promotion of the tourism sector and gave necessary instructions on timely completion of upgrading tasks systematically and other needs.
