THE Department of Agricultural Research and seed companies will collaborate in hybrid corn seed production.
A coordination meeting was held at the Nawarat Hall of the department on 6 May, with presence of the Director-General, Deputy Director-General, researchers and representatives from Ayeyawady Seed Co Ltd, New Asia Hi-Tech Seed Co Ltd, Top Partner Co Ltd, Agro Yadana Co Ltd, Royal Farm Co Ltd and Avetine limited Co Ltd.
Dr Naing Kyi Win, Director-General of the Agriculture Department, addressed that the department focuses on developing parent lines. It will help distribute these new parent lines developed from the research department to farmers, in cooperation with the Agriculture Department and private seed companies. The department is committed to adaptation to scientific and technological innovation. It also pledged to provide cultivation techniques, fertilizer protocols, and agronomic support to companies for optimizing seed production beyond the distribution of the seeds, he continued.
The department will work closely with companies to implement best practices from planting to harvest to enhance the Myanmar agriculture sector, he added.
Dr Khin Nyein Chan Myae from the Crops Research Division presented ongoing collaboration efforts on hybrid corn production and plans in detail.
Deputy Director-General Dr Aung Moe Myo Tin also urged companies to commercialize new hybrid corn seed developed by the DAR and maintain a long-term partnership to enhance agricultural productivity. Seed companies are encouraged to select promising hybrid seeds for large-scale production and join field trials for demonstration to farmers to promote the adoption of new varieties and techniques. — NN/KK
