Shwebo, 26 July

Approximately 5,000 acres of advanced mechanized farmland will be reclaimed in Swebo District, Sagaing Region during six year period from 2019 to 2025, according to a source from the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department.

The plan aimed at helping farmers from the irrigated area of Thaphanseik Dam increase income will be jointly carried out by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation under the Agricultural Income Improvement Project (AIIP). Under the project, 575 acres of farmland that belong to 147 farmers near Leikchin Village, Shwebo Township are being turned into advanced mechanized farmlands as a pilot scheme.

Water has been distributed to the newly-reclaimed farmlands since 10 July, said U Tezar Tun, the staff officer from the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department. The remaining 4,425 acres will be managed by a working committee tasked with assessing the farmlands in respective townships.

Among the project areas are 315.09 acres in Ywatawkon Village, Wetlet Township, 308.87 acres in Kyakhet Village, Debayin Township, 499.85 acres in Myothit Village in KhinU Township, 485.71 acres in three villages in Taze Township, and 2411.19 acres in seven villages in Shwebo Township.—Soe Wai Aung (KhinU)

Translated by Kyaw Htike Soe