Over 800 million people still facing malnutrition resulting from food shortages Myanmar, an agro-based nation, enjoys food sufficiency Paddy production nearly reached 1.2 billion baskets in 2004-2005 Success goes beyond local food sufficiency, contributing to global food sufficiency

Yangon, 16 Oct — Prime Minister General Soe Win delivered an address at the ceremony to mark the World Food Day at International Business Centre on Pyay Road, here, this morning, and presented prizes to officials of outstanding townships and farmers.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee the Mayor, the deputy ministers, ambassadors and charges d’affaires ai of foreign missions in Yangon, resident representatives of UN agencies, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, members of Myanmar Academy of Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Fisheries Sciences, departmental heads, officials of the Central Committee and Work Committee for Organizing the 2005 World Food Day, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, journalists, representatives of outstanding townships and winners, private entrepreneurs and guests.

First, Prime Minister General Soe Win delivered an address. He said:

May I first express pleasure for having this opportunity to deliver an address at the World Food Day ceremony.

As Myanmar is a UN member, she has been firmly supporting and adhering to the aims and policies of the UN Principles. It is a common knowledge that the nation lays down the principle “cooperation with the UN” as the cornerstone of her foreign policy according to her sincere belief in the UN that the global body has the ability to ensure international peace and security and speed up the development pace of all member nations.

At the same time, Myanmar has been actively and conscientiously cooperating with the UN subordinate bodies — the UNDP, the UNICEF, the FAO, the WHO and the UNODC and UN High Commission for Refugees — in the service of the entire global peoples’ interest. All in all, Myanmar has been a nation making utmost efforts with goodwill to further improve and cement her friendly relations and cooperation with all the nations of the planet, friendly neighbours and regional countries, in addition to her active participation in the international and regional organizations.

Today commemorates the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization, which has turned 60 years as the United Nations itself, and which has become matured with various kinds of experiences and different situations it has witnessed during the period. Every year, the world nations including Myanmar observe the World Food Day on 16 October, the day on which the FAO was founded.

Throughout its long existence, the FAO has already striven together with its member nations to realize the body’s lofty aims of freeing the entire mankind from hunger, ensuring adequacy of sustenance and improving the rural living standard. We all should continue to work harder to achieve greater success year after year, while reviewing and measuring the extent of success we have achieved so far in realizing the aims.

Myanmar will continue to strive for the success of the FAO aims, while playing her own role as an active and cooperative participant, with her individual strength and as a member of international organizations.

Of the over six billion peoples of the planet, over 800 million are still facing malnutrition resulting from food shortages. And the global rich and poor gap is still wide. We on our part will have to narrow the large gap between the rich and the poor as possible as we can.

Moreover, we believe that owing to the above-mentioned reasons, this year’s motto for the World Food Day 2005 has been designated “Agriculture and Intercultural Dialogue” . And it is with close friendship and goodwill, the FAO and other international organizations will have to coordinate to find a way for implementing practical development programmes.

Myanmar, an agro-based nation, enjoys food sufficiency. The nation’s agricultural industry is the most basic economic sector that has opened opportunities for socio-economic development of the citizens and rural progress in addition to providing food for the people of Myanmar. It is true that we will be able to strengthen peace and stability of the State only if there is economic progress. Moreover, only with the prevalence of internal peace and stability, we will be able to strengthen and uplift the national economy, the socio-economy and other development undertakings.

Hence, Myanmar is giving priority to development of the agricultural sector in conjunction with the long-term progress of fish and meat sector and forestry sector that are related to agricultural industry. Seventy per cent of the nation's population of 54 million are relying mainly on agricultural sector, livestock breeding sector or forestry sector to earn their living. We see the efforts to develop the roles of the sectors and their production capacity as practical endeavours for development of rural areas where the majority of people live.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe once said, "As we are an agro-based nation, and the majority of people living in rural areas are poor, the nation will witness progress only if we can carry out the rural development task effectively. We will have to encourage the rural people to run farming business in addition to their agricultural work in ensure Reduction of Rural Poverty." With this guidance, he has laid down the five rural development tasks.

Now, we have been in the fifth year of carrying out rural development undertakings, seeing it as a part of the project for national progress. The five rural development tasks have interactions between one another, and harmony is required in implementing them. The essence of our rural development tasks is the same as the global poverty alleviation programmes.

We would like to reiterate that the giving of priority to the rural development tasks is the right choice politically and economically. As the tasks serve the majority's interest our nation is witnessing tangible results as well as the narrowing gap between the rural and the urban. In the sector of producing rice, the staple food of Myanmar, the nation saw her paddy production exceeding one billion baskets in 2000-2001, and nearly touched 1.2 billion mark in 2004-2005. According to estimates, the nation's paddy output will pass more than 1.2 billion baskets in the very near future. It is a great success for the nation in her history of agriculture to set a record after the record paddy output.

The success goes beyond our local food sufficiency to the degree of contributing to global food sufficiency to a certain extent, because of the rise in the volume of surplus rice.

The government on its part has been laying down and implementing systematic programmes to increase crop per acre yield, to extend sown acreage, to reclaim more land, and to win markets where the nation's new agricultural products find a competitive edge.

Similarly, the meat and fish sector that is related to agriculture, is also enjoying rapid development with the government's assistance. The government is distributing quality strains and exerting efforts with added momentum for well-rounded development and advancement of the fish and meat sector. It is also paying special attention to increasing investment in fish and meat sector and the upgrading the manageable-scale farms at villages to advanced commercial-scale farms. Thanks to the government's endeavours, the nation can now export its surplus fish and meat in addition to satisfying local sufficiency. We would like to pledge that we will work harder for our nation to stand firmly as a global food supplier.

While striving to develop the fish and meat sector, the government has been launching a conservation programme according to the law to prevent prawn and fish depletion and bio-diversity deterioration. In the forestry sector, the government has been systematically extracting timber, with priority given to ecological conservation and afforestation, ensuring a balanced nature and climate, and the protection of diverse flora and fauna species. It is also systematically carrying out forest development projects covering the task of conserving and generating forests, establishing and protecting natural parks and forest plantations and conserving and protecting watershed areas in addition to implementing the dry region greening project in all parts of the central regions of Myanmar.

Because of the national strength, systematic self-reliant efforts and correct aims, all the citizens are enjoying food sufficiency, and the rural areas are witnessing annual improvement in health, education and social standards. Furthermore, the government has set up a peaceful and sound environment and foundation for the future generations. In the international field, Myanmar has been joining hands with her neighbours, the ASEAN family, regional countries and UN agencies and extending her constructive cooperation in the global affairs to produce more food, conserve the environment, ensure regional peace, stability, security and progress, and boost economic cooperation.

In this age, the emergence of a peaceful, stable and united world rest on constructive coordination and cooperation of global countries and fair assistance for the developing countries.

Only if there are international coordination and cooperation, mutual understanding and sympathy and assistance, will injustice and disunity the world is seeing resulting from poverty and hunger, rich and poor gap, technological divide and status discrimination disappear. Consequently, a world of plenty, equality, harmony and tranquillity will also emerge.

In conclusion, I would like to urge all the global countries and international organizations concerned to make practical efforts through constructive coordination and cooperation to ensure greater food sufficiency and regional development for emergence of a hunger-free world in accordance with the motto of the World Food Day.

UNFAO Resident Representative Mr Yang Zhengping read out the message sent by the FAO Director-General.

Next, a video documentary was shown to the audience.

Afterwards, Prime Minister General Soe Win presented prizes for outstanding performance in monsoon paddy production prizes to the representative of Hinthada Township and farmer U Khin Maung Win of Kyaukdaga Township, prize for fish breeding through cage system to U Htay Myint of Yuzana Co Ltd of Pathein Township, and the first prize for establishment of special teak plantation to Kyangin Township.

The Prime Minister cordially greeted the ambassadors and charges d’affaires, resident representatives of UN agencies and officials.

They viewed agricultural equipment and booths opened by Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, FAO, Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in the hall.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo gave away prizes to Kyaiklat Township and U Ba Aye of Namhkam Township for summer paddy production, and Taunggyi Township and U Saw Maung of Hsihseng Township for maize production.

Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein presented outstanding performance livestock and fisheries prizes to U Mahn Kyaw Shein of Thabawngu Village in Kangyidaunt Township, U Than Lwin of Ngwesar Pale Co Ltd of Kyimyindine Township, U Zaw Lay of Fisheries and Marine Products- 2000 Ltd of Botahtaung Township, U Tun Aye of Shwe Yamon Co Ltd of Hline Township, U Aung Naing of Asia Winner Co Ltd of Botahtaung Township, Dr Thein Sein of Taunggyi Township, U Sai Lin of Yangon Division, U Win Maung of Kyaukse Township and U Khin Maung Win of Meiktila Township.

Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung awarded second and third prizes to Nattalin and Ingapu Townships for establishment of special teak plantation.

FAO Resident Representative Mr Tang Zhengping gave away prizes to winners in the essay contest.

Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin also presented prizes to winner persons and townships for their outstanding performance in production of groundnut and sesame.

Deputy Minister for A&I U Ohn Myint presented prizes to winner persons and townships for production of sunflower.

Likewise, President of Myanmar Academy of Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Fisheries Sciences U Tin Hlaing, Vice-President (Agriculture) Dr Thein Myint, Vice-President (Livestock & Fisheries) Dr Min Soe and Vice-President (Forestry) Dr Nyan Tun, Secretary U Tin Htut Oo, Joint-Secretary (Livestock & Fisheries) Dr San Aung, and Joint-Secretary (Forestry) U Soe Win Hlaing gave away prizes to the outstanding townships and persons. Departmental heads under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries presented prizes to the outstanding townships and persons.

Performing Arts Competitions continue Contestants from states, divisions exhibit skills

Yangon, 16 Oct — The 13th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions continued at the designated venues for the fourth day today.

It was attended by member of the panel of patrons for organizing the competitions Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Performing Arts Competitions Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, member of the Panel of Patrons Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein, Vice-Chairman of the Leading Committee Deputy Minister for Culture Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Chairman of the Work Committee No 3 Military Region Commander Col Tint Hsan and members, officials of the sub-committees, maestros and people.

At the multi-purpose hall of the National Museum, Chairperson of the Panel of Judges Assistant Director (Music) Daw Tin Tin Mya of Myanma Radio and Television, Secretary Assistant Engineer Daw May Pyone Khaing and members supervised the singing contest.

Altogether 16 contestants from States and Divisions took part in the basic education level (aged 10-15) girls’ religious song contest, 14 persons in the professional level men’s classical and modern song contest.

At the National Theatre, 10 contestants participated in the higher education level men’s dancing contest and 16 girls in the basic education level (aged 15-20) girls’ dancing contest. Chairman of the Panel of Judges Wunna Kyawhtin U Sein Aung Min and members supervised the dancing contest.

Likewise, seven persons participated in the amateur level men’s dobat contest at Padonma Theatre, and seven in the basic education level (aged 10-15) boys’ dobat contest. U Sein Ba Maw and members of the panel of judges supervised the contest.

 At Kanbawza Theatre, 13 contestants competed in the amateur level men’s xylophone contest, and nine girls in the basic education level (aged 10-15) girls’ xylophone contest. Today’s music contest was supervised by Chairman of the panel of judges Gitalulin U Ko Ko and party.

The 13th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions scheduled on 17 October, Fullmoon Day of Thadingyut, are postponed to18 October.

Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium concludes

Yangon, 16 Oct — Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium 2005 organized by Leading Committee for Myanma Gems Emporium continued sale of jade lots through competitive bidding at the Myanma Gems Mart starting 3 pm yesterday. At 10.45 pm, a total of 100 jade lots were sold. Altogether155 jade lots were sold yesterday. Mid-Year Myanmar Gems Emporium successfully concluded.

A total of 205 pearl lots and a total of 45 gems lots were sold on 8 and 9 October, and a total of 1,534 jade lots were sold from 11 to 15 October through competitive bidding and tender system.

Altogether 2,053 gems merchants — 1,236 of 343 companies from 13 countries and 817 of 327 local companies purchased jade, gems and pearl lots at the emporium.

2005 Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium had sold more jade, gems and pearl lots than those in previous years and a greater number of gem merchants from abroad attended it.