AUTHORITIES concerned have recommended importing licences of over 670,000 tonnes of fertilizer and 11,000 tonnes of pesticide in the first quarter of the current financial year 2025-2026, beginning 1 April, according to the Urea Fertilizer Purchasing and Distribution Steering Committee.
Union Minister U Hla Moe for the Cooperatives and Rural Development, chair of the committee, gave that remark at the work coordination meeting held on 26 June. The Steering Committee recommended that each company import 676,055.06 tonnes of fertilizer and 11,024.1 tonnes of pesticide during the April-June period. The Ministry of Commerce also endorsed imports of fertilizer and pesticide. The committee will screen applications and will continue to recommend them.
Additionally, to meet cultivation inputs for the monsoon paddy season, those companies that have been granted import licences need to bring them in as soon as possible. Some companies failed to import the proposed volume in the previous financial year. Therefore, the authorities concerned need to supervise them to import them at the earliest. The committee also discussed matters regarding taking action against those companies that fail to import the fertilizer and pesticide during the set timeline, the Union Minister elaborated.
Afterwards, the committee will set the reference price of fertilizer on 30 June 2025. At present, fertilizer prices are rising on the global cues. He also asked the committee members to ensure the fair reference prices, to govern the market to inspect if there is price manipulation with a pile of stocks and overcharging in regions and states, upon the reference price set for the Yangon, transport cost and profit, he urged.
The Myanmar Fertilizer, Seed and Pesticide Entrepreneurs Association (MFSPEA) also needs to encourage members to follow the principles of the association and comply with the rules. The association needs to support those companies that abide by the rules to facilitate the processing with the department concerned. The member companies are also asked to provide a concise monthly report. The Union Minister requests the association to coordinate with the department concerned to supply agricultural inputs in time and ensure fair price and quality.
Permanent Secretary U Khant Zaw also addressed performances upon last meeting’s decision, fertilizer and pesticide volume that the committee granted recommendation in May and June. The MFSPEA chairperson explained about international prices and supply and demand conditions. The Union Minister coordinated the matters based on suggestions of the representatives of the Central Bank of Myanmar, the department concerned and the Myanmar Rice Federation. — NN/KK
