IRRI's involvement in rice sector development highlighted on national TV

YANGON, Myanmar—A two-hour national television talk show featured the activities of the world’s leading rice research center and its involvement in the formulation of the Myanmar Rice Sector Development Strategy.

Dr. Jongsoo Shin, IRRI country representative for Myanmar, was invited by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) to discuss IRRI’s role in the country’s national programs on developing and promoting high-yielding and high-quality rice varieties and the implementation of Myanmar's rice development strategy.

Shin also discussed the importance of each part of the rice value chain, the effective and efficient uses of information communication technologies in rice farming, capacity building of young scientists, collaborative programs between the MoAI and IRRI, and various ways of seeking funding support.

The Myanmar Rice Sector Development Strategy, launched in 2015, was drafted by Myanmar’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation with technical input from IRRI.The strategy seeks to boost the country’s rice production, raise rice farmers’ income, ensure food self-sufficiency, and expand its share in the international rice trade.

The episode was broadcast on SKYNET satellite TV on 2 March in commemoration of Myanmar Peasants’ Day.