SAGAING Region’s Agriculture Department planned to reach 327,000 acres of sunflower plantation this year’s winter growing season across 14 districts including the Naga Self-Administered Zone.
The cultivation of winter sunflower plantation started in the first week of October this year and 120,238 acres have been cultivated so far, according to Sagaing Region’s Agriculture Department.
In a bid to ensure edible oil self-sufficiency and increase the income of growers, sunflower varieties (hybrid-1, Sinshwekya 2,3, Sanphola sunflower varieties) are cultivated in model farming plots to produce pedigree sunflowers. Officials from the Agriculture Department are providing technical assistance, pedigree seeds and some inputs. They are also joining hands with the department concerned to prevent pest and disease problems.
The department aims to achieve 500 acres of sunflower in Homalin District, 150 in Kani, 200 in Naga, 8,000 in Mawlaik, 3,300 in Tamu, 71,570 in Kalay, 31,300 in Monywa, 83,650 in Yinmabin, 6,500 in Shwebo, 15,250 in YeU, 4,280 in Kanbalu, 61,500 in Sagaing, 27,700 in Katha and 13,100 in Kawlin, totalling 327,000 acres. — District (IPRD)/KK
