Nay Pyi Taw December 2
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Teza Kyaw, inspected the multipurpose model farm of Northern Command this morning.
At the briefing hall of the farm, the Senior General and party heard a report on layer, broiler, DYL pig, dairy cow, beef cattle, goat and fish farming, mixed feed production, cultivation of greenhouse seasonal crops, perennial crops, teak and industrial crops, distribution of products including meat, fish, milk, eggs and vegetables to Tatmadaw families and departmental personnel at reasonable prices, presented by the commander.
In response, the Senior General said multipurpose farms have been conducted with added momentum since the time of the Tatmadaw government for national development.
The Tatmadaw regiments and units have been assigned as the pathfinders of the farms. For example, Tatmadaw regiments and units were tasked with the job of initiating central Myanmar greening project by growing toddy-palm, tamarind and neem. Although the country’s population then was just 40 million, the goal was set to feed 100 million people. These farming undertakings of the Tatmadaw and land should be effectively utilized at present. Manageable farms should be set up and shade trees and windbreakers should be planted on all empty spaces except from areas which are occupied by Tatmadaw buildings or which are designated for security matters.The difference between the manageable farms and Tatmadaw-owned farms should be noticed. As for manageable farms, only the crops which have limits must be grown in Tatmadaw-owned farm. Edible crops that can last long should be preferred. Strain, soil, water and technology are the important factors of agriculture. So, quality strains must be chosen, land must be prepared systematically, adequate amount of water must be supplied and correct method must be used.
As regards the breeding, studies should be made to apply correct method, provide fodder and water systematically and conduct a beneficial farming. There are different kinds of breeding including range-breeding, in-breeding, and out-breeding. Inbreeding needs sufficient food and water for the animals. Reasonable success will be achieved only if there is cleanness and food sufficiency. A weekly and monthly checklist of the sanitation, growth rate assessment, and health must be kept and work must be done according to the timetable. The country mainly breeds chicken, pig, goat, cow and fish, and fish farming needs special care, he said.
Water is an essential element of farming, and the farms must be effective and beneficial. The products, which are meat, fish, vegetables, milk and eggs, must be sold at the prices lower than the market prices, on a non-profit basis, for the benefit of Tatmadaw families and departmental personnel. Tatma-daw members must strive to achieve success in their farming activities, and should be the models for the locals to follow their footsteps, he said.
The Senior General and party then inspected vegetables, milk and eggs produced by the farm. They were then conducted round the organic greenhouse, and dairy cow, beef cattle and DYL pig farms by the commander and officials.
This morning, the Senior General and party paid homage to Yahandatahtaung Shinpinmyatswa Hsu-taungpyae Pagoda on Shwemoe hill at Mongna Village, Waingmaw.
The Senior General and party were cordially welcomed by Chairman U Myo Swe and members of the pagoda board of trustees. They then offered rice in the emerald alms-bowl, fruits, flowers, water and oil lights to the Buddha Image, and went round the pagoda clockwise. They rang the bell which is called peace, prosperity and progress (Nyeinchanphyo). After discussing the sustainability of the pagoda, cash donation was made for multiple programmes of the pagoda. The chairman accepted the donation and in turn presented certificate of honour.
The Senior General and party watched the documentary photos of the pagoda construction project and discussed matters relating to the maintenance of the pagoda and the systematic protection of the historical records.
