Nay Pyi Taw December 20
Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with departmental officials, local elders, MSME entrepreneurs at Minbu U Aw Ba Ta Hall of the Sasana Beikmantaw in Minbu this morning and discussed regional development.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were SSPC Secretary General Ye Win Oo, union ministers, Magway Region Chief Minister U Tint Lwin, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Central Command commander, officials, and members of the region government.
Reports on regional points and requirements for development of the region
First, the Minbu District administrator reported on regional development undertakings, progress in realizing the directives of the Head of State, agricultural undertakings, efforts for the main crops to hit the yield target, rice and edible oil sufficiency in the district, success in the cultivation of oil crops zone wise, success in cotton cultivation, production of agrobased goods, education development undertakings, opening of basic education high schools on agriculture and livestock, erection of solarpower river water pumping stat-ions for irrigating crops with sufficient amount of water, efforts for development of roads and bridges, township-wise preparations for the successful the coming election in Minbu District, and production of oil and gas and coal in the district.
The region chief minister presented a supplementary report on success of farming activities in the district and efforts for hitting the crop targets, endeavours for ensuring rice sufficiency in Magway Region, greater success achieved in crop cultivation thanks to the solar-power pumping stations that are providing adequate volume of water for irrigation, rise in GDP of the Region thanks to the increase in ago-products, and efforts to turn the Region into the main cotton and edible oil producer.
Elders from Minbu presented the requirement of lecture halls at the Basic Education High School (Branch) at Kaungtha Village, Minbu Township, the need to further extend solar-power pumping stations to provide enough water for crops, and other requirements of the region.
Union ministers’ response to the reports
Union ministers, Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, U Min Naung, U Hla Moe, and U Khin Maung Yi, explained the ongoing activities on strengthening rule of law to ensure peace and stability in the entire country, undertakings to ensure correctness of the voter list at the coming multi-party democracy general elect-ion and its success, counternarcotic operations, anti-online scam and gambling operations, and the transfer of illegal foreigners back to their countries, the requirement of public participation in eliminating the online scam as the government is launching the anti-on-line-scam activities as a national task, provision of irrigation water through river water pumping stations, the need to contact the relevant ministries as the State is fulfilling the requirements for development of farming activities, research programs for erecting solarpower river water pumping stations and tapping groundwater at the villages which needed more water supply for cultivation, which is included in the presentation, year-wise findings on the forest cover in Magway Region and Minbu District, nationwide environmental greening activities and the public involvement.
Pay attention to regional development by encouraging production business based on agriculture and livestock
In his address, the Senior General said the visit is to fulfill the needs for progress of the Minbu area. Beans and cotton are the main crops of the area around Minbu which has sufficient rice. The area will gain more progress if it can meet the crop targets. Failure to meet the crop target just in Minbu District caused over Ks-500 billion shortage in earnings. Hence, a lot of economic developments can be seen just by hitting the crop target. Cotton that thrives well in the area needs to meet the target. The country’s cotton sown acreage is about 500,000 acres and the country will be able to manufacture more finished cotton yarn by increasing cotton per acre yield.
He stated that in carrying out agricultural activities, it’s necessary for data and figures to be accurate when submitting reports, noting that throughout different eras in our country, there’ve been discrepancies in figures regarding agricultural output. He emphasized that only when data and statistics are accurately known can the country’s development be further analyzed and implemented; therefore, he’s urging those involved in operations to strive to meet target goals and calling on data collectors to ensure they obtain correct statistics. He concluded that we must all genuinely work for our country’s development, and it’s essential that necessary requirements are fulfilled to enable such work.
Regarding achieving per-acre target goals, he stated that they have conduct-ed field research and interviewed those practically engaged in agriculture and livestock farming across various regions and states about their needs for seeds, soil, water, and techniques. In doing so, we’ve asked simple questions about fundamental factors and requirements that need to be fulfilled regarding agriculture and livestock. According to the findings, it’s been observed that nine types of crops are grown in the Minbu region. Identified weaknesses include both human and financial shortcomings. In terms of soil preparation, sufficient plowing can be performed, and if chemical fertilizers are needed, natural fertilizers can also be added. To help meet fertilizer needs, the State’s been providing agricultural loans. He also stated that if labor’s unavailable to ensure full plant populations, systematic sowing using feed seeders will greatly help in meeting per-acre yield targets, and he noted that instead of relying on traditional agricultural practices, it’s necessary to study and apply modern techniques to increase crop yields.
Regarding agricultural water requirements, solar-powered river water pumping projects are being implemented within the Magway Region, and since agriculture’s the primary industry of the Minbu region, I’m working to advance and transform agricultural operations. He noted that if agrobased manufacturing industries can be developed using local agricultural products, the socio-economic lives of the people in the region will further improve. He stated that the State’s encouraging and implementing measures for the success of agriculture and livestock activities while providing necessary inputs, and it’s essential to use various methods to ensure a sufficient supply of irrigation water, which is a primary requirement. He noted that the State’s also working to provide high-quality seeds that are compatible with the local region and that, regarding livestock activities, it’s necessary to breed and produce enough to meet local consumption needs. He further emphasized that in addition to goat farming, which thrives in the area, basic food sources like poultry, pigs, and cattle must also be successfully farmed, adding that feed requirements for these livestock activities can be met by utilizing local agricultural products as a base.
Securing quality human resources and environmental conservation
He stated that quality human resources equipped with knowledge and technical skills are necessary to successfully carry out agriculture and livestock operations, and he noted that, just as the saying goes “National discipline begins at school,” one will only possess technical expertise if they have formal education. He added that this will also lead to the development of virtuous individuals with good morale and discipline, ex-plaining that technical, agricultural, and livestock vocational high schools are being opened to produce these quality human resources for the agriculture and livestock sectors. He stated that the Union Report of the 2024 Population and Housing Census has already been released, noting that the publication of this report provides invaluable statistics and data for the nation, and he emphasized that Magway Region and Minbu District must effectively utilize their specific regional data as a foundation for regional development.
He stated that we have established the slogans: “ Let us encourage pro-duction for prosperity of the Nation,” “Let us ensure education sector for the development of the Nation,” and “ Let us protect our environment for the prosperity of the Nation. “ He noted that it is necessary to preserve the existing environment within the Magway Region and to expand tree planting efforts, emphasizing that every village should plant more shade trees to protect against heat, especially since some townships in the Magway Region are found on the list of the world’s hottest cities. He stated that the best way to reduce heat and improve the climate is to plant trees, so it’s necessary to expand forest and tree planting efforts in every single village. He noted that in doing so, you’re encouraged to include species like plum and tamarind trees, which thrive locally and can provide an additional source of income for production. He emphasized that raw materials are essential for MSME operations, and if value-added products can be manufactured using these locally sourced raw materials, it’ll bring great benefits to the region.
As regards education, it is necessary to develop the reading habit not only in oneself but also in one’s children to acquire not only education but also necessary knowledge. Measures to improve the education of children must be taken. By taking measures for educational development, socio-economic lives in the region can achieve progress. As the investment in education amounts to building a future developed nation, the government places emphasis on it. Legal knowledge is being instilled into government employees and students to contribute to the rule of law in the country. Only when the rule of law can be maintained, can business operations in the country be smooth and everyone is required to make concerted efforts.
Holding free and fair multi-party democracy general election successfully
In connection with elections, their
first phase is scheduled for 28 December and is held in three phases. It is impor-
tant to enable all eligible voters to cast their votes and to prevent voting irregularities as in the 2020 elections. Efforts must be made for all voters included in electoral rolls not to lose their voting rights. Voting or no-voting is the will of voters and it is the responsibility of the government to take measures to enable voters to cast their votes. Voting in the elections amounts to supporting the steps on democratic path and no-voting means opposition to the process. Therefore, concerted efforts must be made to hold the elections in Minbu successfully.
The government is taking measures for the development of the Minbu region as much as possible. Local residents and departmental staff in the region are urged to make concerted efforts for regional and national development tasks out of the spirit of love for the region and national interests.
After the meeting. the Senior General cordially greeted the attendees.
Then, the Senior General viewed pro-ducts of MSMEs in Minbu District displayed there and gave necessary instructions on reports of responsible officials.
District soccer grounds in Minbu Afterward, the Senior General and party inspected the upgrading tasks of the district soccer grounds and gave necessary instructions on continued construction of the stands to enable spectators to watch soccer matches conveniently, proper calculation of ground levels in construction of the drainage system, systematic construction of tracks and other needs.
General Hospital in Minbu
Then, the Senior General and party arrived at the general hospital in Minbu and were greeted by the superintendent and healthcare staff of the hospital.
Afterward, the Senior General, his wife and party inspected operations of the dental and oral cavity section, laboratory and bio-laboratory and healthcare services provided to the public there and gave necessary instructions on reports of the officials.
Then, the Senior General and his wife presented cash donations for the hospital to the superintendent and responsible officials.
Upgrading tasks of Magway-Minbu Road
This morning, the Senior General and party arrived at the viewpoint in Minbu and heard reports on upgrading tasks of Magway-Minbu road submitted by responsible officials.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave instructions on proper demarcation of road areas, the needs to take action against squatters in accordance with the highways law, the needs to proper estimation of upgrading tasks to meet standards and other needs.
