To help green the Meiktila area and reduce heat, green zones should be established in every region, ward, and village by planting at least two acres of trees in each, as tree-planting is essential for improving the weather and creating a cooler environment.
State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met district and township-level departmental officials, local elders and MSME entrepreneurs from Meiktila District in Mandalay Region at the Kandaw Mingala Hall in Meiktila yesterday morning and discussed regional development.
Before the meeting, the Senior General heard the reports made by Meiktila District Administrator U Aung Myint Oo and the Mandalay Region Development Minister regarding the implementation as per the guidance of the Senior General during his visit to Meiktila, current agriculture and livestock breeding, rehabilitation and reconstruction processes after the Mandalay earthquake, promotion of education sector, drafting of Meiktila development project, solar-powered plants and power distribution system, comprehensive development of district, water distribution processes, cleanliness, transportation and traffic rules and regulation. Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung also presented on the plantation of edible crops and power generation processing using renewable energy, solar.
In his speech, the Senior General noted that no matter which government is in power, people can only enjoy the benefits and progress if they work hard themselves. Therefore, it is important to focus on regional development and improving the socioeconomic status of the people. For the greening of the Meiktila area, it needs to create green zones in each region, ward and village. Tree-planting is the key to reducing heat and achieving fine weather, and so at least two acres of trees should be planted in each village and ward to help create green zones.
He continued that it should plant trees on both sides of the Yangon-Mandalay Highway and expressway, and replant the trees in places where trees are no longer alive or where trees used to be but were lost for various reasons. Future population growth and basic needs must be carefully considered in detail when drafting urban development projects. For expanding the urban areas, special emphasis should be made not to use the main farmlands, which are important for the country’s economy and food security.
He also highlighted the need for the officials to make efforts to generate solar power to district and region levels, conserve the forests, expand cultivation of kitchen crops, work together to ensure learning opportunities for the school-aged children, other regional development in different sectors like education, health, economy, agriculture and other sectors.
After hearing the reports made by the Union ministers, the Senior General said that proper assistance and guidance are being provided for the development of Meiktila.
There are two main areas for Meiktila development – economic development and social development. Although there are no large factories in the region, MSMEs are being operated. The main economy of the country is based on agriculture and livestock, and it is important to help local people earn an income while strengthening the economy. In order to receive the income, it needs to promote the production, and the department concerned should conduct research for adequate agricultural and livestock products that are needed in the production sector.
The Meiktila University of Economics, Meiktila University, and relevant ministries and departments, along with experts, should work together with locals and town elders to carry out research for the development of the Meiktila region and apply it practically, and also in other regions.
In many countries around the world, agriculture and livestock are the main focus. However, the country is still facing internal conflicts, political instability and controversy, and the development programmes cannot be carried out successfully to a certain extent. Starting from 2010, the country has been practising a multiparty democratic system, which the entire people desire, and a market-oriented system has also been adopted.
The Senior General stressed that the manufacturing sector should be promoted to strengthen the State economy, and there are still requirements in technology to promote that sector.
In agriculture, the four important factors are “seeds, soil, water, and techniques.” By using these four factors carefully and systematically, the yielding rate per acre will increase, and agricultural products can be produced more successfully.
According to calculations, during the 2023-2024 financial year, the production of monsoon paddy in Meiktila Township was below the target. The average yield was 62.65 baskets per acre, which is 37.35 baskets less than the target. At that time, the price of one basket of paddy was K22,000, and there was a loss of K10.369 billion as it failed to meet the target. Since the monsoon paddy production did not meet the target in the whole Meiktila district, the total income loss was K79.791 billion. Similarly, for summer paddy production, income was reduced by K4.6 billion due to not meeting the target. In the case of groundnut farming, due to not meeting the production targets, there was a loss of about K46.895 billion. For sesame farming, because the targets were not reached, there was a loss of about K580.48 billion. Including the crops like sunflower and mung beans, the overall shortfall in production per acre in Meiktila district caused a total loss of around K980 billion in agriculture. By looking at these facts, if the agricultural sector achieves the per-acre target, it will greatly help the regional economy.
The Senior General underlined that the research should be conducted to ensure the quality saplings for agriculture, and the waste materials from the livestock sector can be used as biofertilizer, and water should be utilized systematically.
He mentioned the location of Meiktila, which boasts opportunities to transport the products to different regions, and the need to prioritize local security and export the surplus, aiming to develop the MSME products.
The Senior General continued that it is found that there is weakness in the education of the Meiktila region, with a low rate of transition into another grade and a low percentage of school attendance. Having well-educated human resources is essential for the development of a region and a nation, and so the education sector is being promoted. As for the Meiktila region, there are enough colleges and universities, and good educational opportunities are available. So, efforts should be made to encourage more educated people to emerge from the region. He also talked about the activities of the government in the health and sports sectors all over the country.
The Senior General added that it needs to supervise the systematic land use in the region. There are the Farmland Law and laws related to vacant and virgin and all should follow the permissions. The officials should supervise as per the rules and regulations set by the law.
He continued that a free and fair multiparty general election will be held by the end of this year, and preparations are being made for all eligible people to be able to cast their vote. Systematic preparations are made to ensure a free and fair election, not to allow false entries in voting lists and voting fraud. The international observers will be invited to the election, and some countries have confirmed that to will come.
The Senior General then cordially greeted departmental officials, town elders and MSME businesspeople.
The Senior General and the party visited the Thein Min Chilli Powder factory in Meiktila, and observed the production processes at Solar Dryer Domes.
The Thein Min Chilli Powder factory was established in 1980. As per the guidance of the Head of the State to produce value-added products in the region, the company produces various chilli-related products using the chilli from the region, Ayeyawady Region, Magway Region and Shan State.
It also transports to various regions and states of the country, and shows at the MSME exhibition to expand the market.
The Senior General and the party proceeded to the Miba Myitta rice mill, observed around the mill, and provided proper instructions. — MNA/KTZH
