RICE To Build Agriculture

Myanmar is to develop a corps of rice experts, specialists who will be tasked with making the most of what may be the country’s single most important product.

Yezin Agricultural University, the only university producing agriculturalists, is preparing to expand its courses by introducing a specialisation in rice in the coming academic year, says rector U Myo Kywe.

Nearly 13 million acres of the country’s 21 million acres under cultivation are devoted to rice, rising to about 20 million acres if summer paddy is taken into account. During the 1950s, Myanmar was a major global rice exporter, a position it subsequently lost under the military regime.

“We will offer specialist courses in rice cultivation starting in the second year, starting next year, initially for 50 to 100 students,” said U Myo Kywe.

The university was launching the specialisation on the advice of international organisations and experts, he said.

U Sein Win, a Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Maubin township in Ayeyarwady Region who has regularly raised agriculture-related issues in parliament, said he supported a stronger focus on training in the sector, particularly practical experience.

“Students should learn theory at the school, and practice on the farm. Their creativity and experience will help the country improve its agricultural sector,” he said, adding, “Specialised courses should be offered on other agricultural products as well.”

U Myo Kywe said that on-the-job training would be provided to students through cooperation between the university and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation’s Agricultural Research Department.

“Not everything can be learned from books. They will gain experience in the field on pests and plant diseases,” he said, adding that additional staff such as drivers would also be needed to support the new courses.

Agricultural graduate Ko Nay Soe said that previous government attempts to strengthen agricultural education had concentrated on infrastructure, dams and water supply rather than human resources.

With expert foreign assistance, Yezin Agricultural University is undertaking improvements, including a five-year technical exchange project in cooperation with a Japanese organisation. Three Japanese specialists are in residence to observe lecturing,researching and administration.

“They are assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum and will advise us based on their analysis,” said U Myo Kywe.

He said additional experts would be invited, including 10 laboratory technicians and specialists in food safety and food science, and Japanese lecturers might come to teach at the university.

Source:http://www.mmtimes.com/…/19001-rice-course-to-build-up-agri…