( 1 ) Government systematically laying down, implementing plans to develop main driving force for agricultural progress
Kyepin-et Dam built to accelerate progress of Sagaing Division, regional economy and living standards

Yangon, 25 Dec- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, together with members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defence, ministers, Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air), deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council, departmental heads, and officials, left here by air and arrived at Mandalay International Airport in TadaU Township at 8.15 am today.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Minister for Education U Than Aung, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Nay Win, officials and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Kyepin-et Dam in Kanbalu Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Division, by helicopter. They were welcomed there by Deputy Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Myint and officials. The opening ceremony of the dam undertaken by the Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation was held at the pandal near the dam at 9.30 am today, with an address by the Secretary-1. Present were the Secretary-1 and party, members of Division, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental personnel, the director-general of ID, staff of ID who took part in the construction of the dam, members of USDAs, Red Cross and Fire Brigade, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, teachers, students, Mingalar royal drum troupe, dance troupe, band troupe, pom pom troupe, local residents in KhinU, YeU, Wetlet, Shwebo, Kanbalu, Kyunhla, Tabayin and Daze Townships in Shwebo District, Sagaing Division, totalling over 9,000.

The Secretary-1 delivered a speech on the occasion. In his address, he said with a view to bringing a harmonious progress to all parts of the Union of Myanmar, the government is harnessing the land and water resources of the nation in an equitable manner in building the infrastructures nation-wide which will directly benefit the people. The present dam is also included in the infrastructures. In addition to contributing to further improvement of the living standards of the rural people of Sagaing Division in accord with the goodwill and noble aims of the State, the Kyepin-et Dam will help develop the nationÕs agricultural sector. In other words, the dam will assist in accelerating the progress of Sagaing Division, regional economy and living standard of the local people. The local people should effectively use the developing infrastructures of the region and to strive with zeal for progress of their agriculture, livestock breeding and production sectors. Due to the favourable land, water, natural and climatic conditions, Myanmar has firm foundations for agricultural development; moreover the majority of people are engaging in the agriculture; Hence, the government is giving support on all fronts for progress of the agricultural sector with greater momentum as the sector is the mainstay of the national economy.

The government is systematically laying down and implementing the plans to fulfil the requirements in extending cultivable land, supplying adequate amount of irrigation water, introducing mechanical and advanced farming system and utilizing quality strains which are the main driving force to develop the agricultural sector with high momentum. At the same time, in addition to the main crop, paddy, the government is giving encouragement to develop of cultivation of other marketable crops cotton, sugarcane, wheat, sesame, and beans and pulses at the appropriate places. The government is using a large amount of cash in building dams, pumped-water stations and underground water supply stations depending on the results of feasibility studies for water supply which is the most essential requirement in agriculture. Up to date, the government has spent K 49,706.41 million to build the 128 dams including the Kyepin-et Dam. The dams are now irrigating 1,783,769 acres. The Kyepin-et is the 16th irrigation facility in Sagaing Division. Construction of the dam cost K 630 million. It will irrigate over 8,000 acres of land. Pumped-water projects can be implemented in Sagaing Division as Chindwin River, Mu River and a part of Ayeyawady River are flowing in the division. In some dry regions there are large areas of aquifers to be tapped by mechanical or manual pumps. Hence, the Government has taken appropriate measures for water supply as conditions permitted.

In accordance with respective geographical conditions, irrigation projects are being implemented. To be exact, there are 48 river-water pumping projects to supply water to about 60,000 acres; the under-ground water tapping project No 1 to benefit over 20,000 acres in Budalin Township; the Ywathaya 99-pond irrigation project to benefit about 10,000 acres in Yinmabin Township; and the YeU irrigation facilities upgrading project to benefit 120,000 acres in Tabayin Township, etc. Moreover, the Kindat regulating dam to irrigate 150,000 acres had been constructed. In addition, the Thaphanseik Dam to supply water to Kindat regulating dam had also been built. The Thaphanseik Dam is the largest in Myanmar and it is also one of the longest dams in South-east Asia. Together with the existing dams, the Thaphanseik Dam will irrigate over 500,000 acres of land. Plans are under way for the Thaphanseik Dam to generate 117.2 million kilo-watt-hour of electricity per annum. Arrangements are being made now to build Namaw dam in Wuntho Township; Segyi dam in Kalay Township and Khetlon diversion weir in Katbalu Township. Sagaing Division naturally has possessed good foundations for meeting success in agriculture.

The Government is also building agricultural basic structures. Based on these good foundations, the people of the region are to strive for developing economic undertakings such as agriculture, livestock breeding and production works so as to promote the national economy. Nowadays, in line with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, focus is being aimed at rural development by regional authorities, departmental personnel and social organizations hand in hand. Hence, the local people should participate enthusiastically in raising the momentum in promoting regional development as well as developments in economic, education, health and social sectors. The rural development works include construction of roads, bridges and irrigation facilities built by the State spending huge amounts of funds. To ensure the long-lasting of these basic structures for rural development, it is necessary for the local people to render necessary assistance in maintaining them. The basic structures for rural development also include construction of roads linking rural and urban areas, small bridges, irrigation system and dams and reservoirs, etc. The local people should participate collectively in maintaining these facilities.

The accelerate the development pace of rural areas in line with the pure and lofty aims and noble objectives, the regional people are to collectively participate in these tasks unitedly. In conclusion, he urged local authorities, departmental officials, peasants and local people to collectively maintain the Kyepin-et Dam for long term use and to ensure best utilization of irrigated water from the dam in agriculture in order to contribute towards regional development as well as raising the living standards of the regional people. Next, Minister for Agriculture & Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin delivered an address. He said that the new dam built on Kyepin-et (Hngetpyaw) Creek near Hngetpyawdaing village in Kantbalu Township is to supply water to 8,000 acres of cultivated land between the dam and the left canal of Kindat Dam. The efforts have resulted in the opening of the dam benefiting the cultivation of crops a swell as regional development. In developing the national economy, the production of paddy, pulses & beans, cotton and sugarcane are being boosted. These four items are, in fact, the four important crops earning foreign exchange.

The region is important for paddy cultivation as well as the cultivation of cotton, sugarcane, pulses & beans and edible crops. In Myanmar, paddy is the main staple food and it is found that monsoon paddy is grown in 14 million acres, and summer paddy in 4 million acres for producing 1,000 million baskets of paddy. At present, the target has been exceeded and the annual paddy output is over 1,000 million baskets. In view of supplying sufficient food to the increasing population, endeavours for regional self-sufficiency of rice are made together with implementation of water supply projects in Anya regions for ensuring sufficiency in local consumption and exporting the surplus. Measures are being taken for supplying sufficient water and ensuring regional self-sufficiency of rice. At the same time, arrangements are being made to export the surplus of paddy. In the entire country, a total of 16 million acres are put under monsoon and summer paddy. Focus is being aimed at producing 1,080 million baskets of paddy by forming up model townships and high quality paddy production zones. On the other hand, pulses & beans which can fetch high prices through export and be produced in larger volumes, are grown in seven and half million acres in specially designated zones. Oil crops such as groundnuts, sesamum and sunflower are grown in 6.6 million acres.

Moreover, planned efforts are being made to put thitseint, popular perennial oil crop, in 30,000 acres. As regards cotton, it is being grown in 860,000 acres with a view to supply raw material for local factories and for earning foreign exchange through export. Target is also set to put over 400,000 acres under sugarcane and 800,000 acres under maize. As implementation of water supply projects is expedited, the irrigated acreage has now reached 19 per cent of the total cultivated acreage of 25 million acres in the country. By effectively utilizing the new cluster of 16 dams including Kyepin-et, Thaphanseik, Kindat, Thazi, Htanzalok and North Yamar dams, etc, the farmers are to strive for the regional development as well as for agricultural progresses. Then, Sagaing Division Peace and development Council Chairman North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing delivered an address. He said: in Sagaing Division, cultivated acreage in 1997-98 was merely 3.39 million acres and it has increased to 3.809 million acres showing the increase of 0.419 million acres within the period of four years. In 2001-2002 fiscal year, monsoon and winter paddy are targeted to grow in 5.9 million acres. Of them, 2.032 million acres are double and mixed cropping. So far, 5.053 million acres which constitute 86 per cent of the target have been cultivated. It is hoped that the plan implementation will achieve 152 per cent of the target.

The Head of State has guided to turn Sagaing Division to be a barn of Upper Myanmar. Accordingly, altogether 1.513 million acres have been put under paddy to produce 117.9 million baskets of paddy. After keeping paddy for consumption, loss & wastage and pedigree, there will be about 30 million baskets of paddy as surplus. By having sufficient cultivation water, applying mechanized farming system, technological advancement and minimizing loss & wastage, altogether 1.58 million acres can be extended in paddy cultivation and the total paddy cultivated acreage in the division will reach 2.13 million acres. In this way, about 150 million baskets of paddy can be produced. From it, about 60 million baskets of surplus paddy will be supplied to other States and Divisions. In those regions which receive good rainfall, the cotton cultivated acreage at present is 150,000 acres. It will be extended to 200,000 acres.

The annual requirement of industrial raw materials for State-owned and private factories is 35 million viss of cotton. Efforts are being made to supply the requirement adequately and to get surplus. Similarly, in the five-year plan period, 140,000 acres will be put under irrigated sesamum and 795,000 acres under ordinary sesamum. By having sufficient cultivation water, focus is aimed at ensuring high-yield of sesamum. In Sagaing Division, plan implementation is exceeding the target by 6.8 per cent of GDP. Due to the sustained efforts of the State for water supply, the agricultural development leads to progress in services, trade and other production sectors in Anya region. The Head of State gave guidance to carry out five rural development tasks namely agriculture, sufficiency of drinking water, better transportation, uplift of health and education starting from 2000-2001. Altogether 484 tube wells, dams and lakes, 170 rural roads, 50 bridges, 679 schools and 119 rural health care centres have been built in 2001-2002 with the assistance of the respective departments, members of USDA, local people. Rural development projects are to be implemented with the cooperation of local people. On behalf of the local people, Secretary of Shwebo District USDA U Tin Myint spoke words of thanks.

Then, the Secretary-1 presented prizes of honour for service personnel of Irrigation Department to Director U Maung Maung Tin and for technicians to Assistant Director U Shwe Kyawt. Next, the opening ceremony of Kyepin-et Dam followed. The Secretary-1 unveiled the stone inscription. Afterwards, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing formally opened the dam. After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party posed for documentary photo with the local people in front of the archway for the dam. Then, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the main embankment and the control tower. Kyepin-et Dam is located on Kyepin-et (Hngetpyaw) Creek in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Division, and it is an earthen dam. The dam, 7,700 feet long and 78 feet high, will supply water for cultivation of paddy, pulses and beans, cotton and sugarcane on over 8,000 acres of farmland all the year round. And the dam will support to the farmers who could not put their farmlands under the various kinds of crops in Sagaing Division due to the shortage of water.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Thaphanseik Dam in Kyunhla Township, Sagaing Division, and inspected the flow of water into the 30 miles long and 15 miles wide water storage area of the dam. On arrival at the project site, the Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by officials of Irrigation Department and Myanma Electric Power Enterprise, members of District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental personnel and USDA members. First, the Secretary-1 and party inspected Thaphanseik Dam. Then, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at the construction site of the Hydroelectric Power Plant of Thaphanseik Hydroelectric Power Project and inspected construction of the plant and installation of turbine generators. Next, the Secretary-1 presented the fruit basket to Chinese technicians. Afterwards, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and the director-general of Irrigation Department reported on facts about the Thaphanseik Multi-purpose Dam Project, the benefited area, the irrigation tasks related to the dam and future tasks. Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Myo Myint and Assistant Chief Engineer U Aung Koe Shwe of MEPE reported on facts about the Thaphanseik Hydroelectric Power Project, construction of buildings and installation of machines for generating the electricity, arrangements for the test running and power supply tasks.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1 said the irrigation tasks of Thaphanseik Dam were completed and the water supply task is being carried out in agriculture sector. It is necessary to systematically manage arrangements for perfectly completion of generating the electricity. Due to the completion of the tasks of the pump-water project related to Thaphanseik Multi-purpose Dam Project, if the power plant could run its tasks, the dam would benefit not only the agriculture sector but also the power supply, and efforts are to be made for timely completion of the tasks of the dam in line with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. The Thaphanseik Hydroelectric Power Project will generate 117.2 million of kilo-watt hour a year.

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( 2 ) Industry-1 Minister receives Chinese guests

Yangon, 25 Dec- Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Chairman of China Metallurgical Construction (Group) Corporation of the People's Republic of China Mr Ma Yang Li and party at his office this afternoon. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises.

A&I Minister receives Chinese Economic mission

Yangon, 25 Dec-  Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin received Chinese economic and trade mission led by Assistant of President Mr Baiwei of Economic Coorperation Branch of International Affairs of Central Committee of the Communist Party of the People's Republic of China, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Li Jinjun, at his office yesterday evening. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, heads of departments and enterprises and officials.

( 3 ) Padaung BEHS gets new building

Yangon, 25 Dec- A ceremony to hand over two-storey building of Basic Education High School and new primary school building to Education Department was held in Padaung Township, Pyay District, Bago Division (West), on 23 December. Present were CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing. Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Win Swe reported on construction of the buildings and handed over the related documents to the Assistant Division Education Officer. CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing formally opened the new building.

The tenth ceremony to pay respects to teachers of Padaung Basic Education High School was held. Minister Col Tin Hlaing spoke and Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Win Swe reported on education promotion programmes. CEC member of USDA Col Tin Hlaing attended a prize distribution ceremony of Padaung Township Association ant Township USDA. Officials presented prizes to outstanding students and gifts to teachers. Minister Col Tin Hlaing met Division Commissioners, Division Police Commander, Township Officers from six Townships in Pyay District. He discussed implementation of five rural development tasks and four construction tasks with added momentum, community peace and tranquillity, crime reduction, production and welfare.

( 4 ) Botahtaung Kyaikdaeup pagoda holds Buddha Pujaniya

Yangon, 25 Dec- The opening ceremony of the Buddha Pujaniya of Botahtaung Kyaikdaeup pagoda was held at NanU Phayagyi Tazaung at the pagoda this afternoon, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of Mingun Tawya Taik Bhaddanta Kosalla and members of the Sangha.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Commandant of the Defence Services Records Office Commander of No 4 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein, Director (News) of the News and Periodicals Enterprises U Hla Tun, Central Executive Committee member of the Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association U Khin Swe (Shwe Sun Nyo), the chairmen of Township Peace and Development Councils in Yangon West District, secretaries of USDAs, members of Pagoda Board of Trustees, wellwishers, invited guests and others.

The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of Namo Tassa, and the Presiding Sayadaw of Mingun Tawya Taik administered the Five Precepts. Then offertories were presented to the members of Sangha. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Ko, Commander Brig-Gen Myo Myint and Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein formally opened the Buddha Pujaniya which will be held up to 30 December. A ceremony to present provisions to 108 members of the Sangha will be offered provisions at the precinct of the pagoda at 3 pm on 30 December (Sunday), and wellwishers may attend the ceremony.

( 5 ) Armed Forces Day painting and sculpture competitions to be held

Yangon, 25 Dec- The Painting and Sculpture Competitions Subcommittee under the Poetry and Arts Competitions Organizing Committee chaired by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt today issued the rules for the Painting and Sculpture Competitions to be held in commemoration of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day. The painting competition is categorized into six divisions the pre-primary school, the primary school (kindergarten, first and second standards), the primary school (third and fourth standards), the middle school, the high school and the open divisions. In the sculpture competition, there will be only open division for wood and plaster events. In pre-primary and basic education levels painting competitions, an entry must be 15" x 20" size own creation with the recommendation of school heads concerned.

There is no need to sign on the front side of the painting but the name of entrant, standard, school, date of birth, and father's name on the back side with two passport-size photos. In open division painting competition, the entry must be 20" x 30" size. In open division sculpture competition (wood and plaster), the entry must not be higher than 36" in height and not be more than 24" in circumference. The entry must not also be the one which had been sent to the previous competitions. The suitable title can be given. Describe the name of entrant, NRC number, date of birth, father's name, occupation and address at the bottom of the entry and the entry must be directly sent with two passport-size photos to Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road from 1 to 5 March 2002. All entries of the painting and sculpture competitions must be reflected in the 12 objectives of the State, the objectives of 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the 12 fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.

Works in the open division of the painting and sculpture competitions must be sent to the head of department of University of Culture, Dagon Myothit (South) Township, not later than 5 March 2002 and the Subcommittee at Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road from 1 to 5 March 2002. In addition to the works of the competitions, anybody may display their paintings and sculptures at the exhibition hailing the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day painting and sculpture. The works must be reflected in 12 objectives of the State, the objectives of 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the 12 fine traditions of the Tatmadaw. Competitors can also portray the works with Myanma cultural beauty being safeguarded and uplifted by the State and the Tatmadaw. Artistes are to directly send the works for the exhibition to Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road from 1 to 5 March.

( 6 ) Full dress rehearsal for School Family Day held

Yangon, 25 Dec- A full dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the 2001-2002 academic year School Family Day took place in front of the Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road, Kamayut Township, here, this morning. Chairman of the Leading Committee for Holding School Family Day Minister for Education U Than Aung attended the ceremony and viewed the rehearsal of students. Minister for Education U Than Aung then inspected the preparatory works in the Hall and gave necessary instructions to officials.

Cash donated for school building

Yangon, 25 Dec- Under the patronage of both sides of the parents, U Aung Khin (a) Mr Fun Chan and wife Mrs Patricia Chan, who are temporally in New York, USA, donated K 1,080,000 for a three-storey building to be constructed at Mingala TaungdawU Kyaungtaik in Bahan Township today. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sujana and the patron for Board of Kyaungzaung Construction accepted the donations and presented the certificate of honour to the wellwishers. The three-storey building will cost K 3 million.