Press Conference held on successful completion of buckwheat harvesting and export to Japan

Press Conference held on successful completion of buckwheat harvesting and export to Japan

YANGON, 6 March - The buckwheat plantations were cultivated as opium substitute crops in the previous opium cultivated areas of Shan State (North). The buckwheat has been successfully harvested in the areas and will be exported to Japan.

A Press Conference on successful completion of buckwheat harvesting and arrangements for export to Japan was held at Studio A of Myanmar Radio and Television this evening.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung

Win, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, heads of departments concerned, Ambassadors and Charged' Affaires ai of the embassies of Australia, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, India, Italy, France, the US, Japan and ASEAN member nations, officials of the Japanese Embassy, officials of UNDP, UNDCP and JICA, Secretary of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Director-General of Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department Col Wunna Maung Lwin and officials, Director (News) of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Hla Tun, Chief Edi tor of Myanmar News Agency (Internal) U Zaw Min Thein, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondent Club U Sein Win, President of MFCC U Sao Kai Hpa and local and foreign journalists.

Deputy Director of Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department U Aye Lwin acted as masters of ceremonies.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun delivered an address. He said:

I am greatly honoured to have this opportunity to give this opening statement at the Press Conference on export of the first container of buckwheat, the opium poppy substitute crop to Japan.

I would like to clarify a little bit about the buckwheat project. The leaders of Myanmar and Japan agreed upon the idea in 1992 to substitute opium poppy with buckwheat in the Northern Shan State. But for some reasons the idea materialized only in April 1997. Four acres of buckwheat trial cultivation was conducted in Tarshwetang in July and August. It was harvested in November and was sent to Japan for laboratory analysis and are found out to be one of superior quality.

In 1998 August JICA provided 4 tons of buckwheat seeds which

was distributed to 198 farmers who cultivated 200 acres in Kokang Region.

In 1998 August JICA provided 4 tons of buckwheat seeds which was distributed to 198 farmers who cultivated 200 acres in Kokang Region.

Buckwheat Harvesting Ceremony was held on 30th November 1998 in Tarshwetang, Laukkai District of Kokang Region and was attended by Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt of the State Peace and Development Council. The buckwheat that was harvested was sent to Japan for futher laboratory analysis and have found out to be superior in quality than buckwheat produced in China.

The procurement of buckwheat met with much difficulties as farmers wanted to keep the seeds for themselves. Only 5 tons of buckwheat was procured back from the farmers out of the estimated 20 tons.

Three tons of buckwheat was used to cultivate 110 acres for propagation of buckwheat seeds in Kutkai during summer, and 19.6 tons was produced with much difficulties.

The Japanese Government provided 19.8 tons of buckwheat seeds in August 1999, so altogether we have 39.4 tons which was sent to Kokang Region and have cultivated as follows-

1. Tarshwetang and Parcinkyaw   1000 acres
2. Monekoe                                   350 acres
3. Tarmoenye                                 650 acres
4. Other areas                                145 acres
                              Total              2145 acres

Due to bad weather conditions and the worst frost in Kokang Region in December 1999, most of the buckwheat cultivation were damaged, and was able to harvest only 40 tons.

We are going to export 18 tons of buckwheat to Japan out of the 40 tons we have procured. This 18 tons of opium substitute crop buckwheat was cultivated in the opium growing Kokang region and was now ready to export to Japan. I would like to say that this is quite amazing and it is an unique achievement.

We have already decided to extend more acres of the buckwheat cultivation as an opium poppy substitute crop this year and the years to come. I would also like to express that if there are any who are present here today would like to visit the buckwheat project areas, we will arrange a trip to those areas. With that remarks may I conclude my opening statement.

Next, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy Mr Yoshihiko Kamo said:

It is a pleasure for me to attend this Press Conference to mark the first shipment of buckwheat produced in Northern Shan State to Japan. This project started almost five years ago, when Mr Koichi Kato, then Chairman of Policy Research Council, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan, suggested the idea of introducing the cultivation of buckwheat as substitute for poppy to Northern Shan State to Mr Tomomitsu Iwakura, Director-General, Policy Research Council, LDP. In April 1996, Professor Akio Ujihara, who is present here today came to Myanmar and made a field survey, that was followed by Mr Iwakura' visit to Myanmar in July in

the same year. As a result of this survey, they decided to start this cultivation of Japanese Buck wheat in Northern Shan State. In 1997/98, four acres were allocated to the Buckwheat cultivation in formerly poppy cultivated fields in Kokang. The acreage was expanded to 200 acres in 1998/99, not only in Kokang but also in Mongkho and Kutkai areas, and further increased to 2000 acres 19992000.

The Japanese Government started providing the technical co-operation to this project from 1997, and now we are dispatching altogether four JICA long-term experts, including Professor Ujihara and Mr Iwasaki. We also provided the seeds of Japanese buckwheat as well as equipment to be used for the project. Furthermore altogether nine trainees from Myanmar have visited Japan. Under our Grass Root Grant Assistance scheme, we assisted NGO activities in providing water supply facilities, a warehouse for agricultural products, an elementary school building and medical equipment in the area where this buckwheat project has been carried out.

In 1998-99, we extended the Grant Aid for providing fertilizers, farm machinery and equipment, including tractors and power-tillers, in order to increase the agricultural production and reduce the level of poppy cultivation in the border areas of Myanmar.

I also wish to mention that the Japanese Government dispatched four police officials to participate in the workshop held in Taunggyi earlier this year on control of chemicals used in narcotic drugs including Amphetamine.

As the Japanese Government has been engaged in these drug related projects, since it believes that fighting against narcotic drugs and promoting crop substitution of poppy cultivation are of global concern. We would like to continue to cooperate in this field as much as we could. Finally, I wish to thank for the cooperation and understanding on the part of the Government of Myanmar, in particular those officials concerned in NATALA, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, 14Iinistry of Commerce and the Office of the Strategic Studies (OSS) of the Ministry of Defence. I wish to pay my tribute to Lt-Col Myint Swe as well as Professor Ujihara for the work they dedicated to the success of this project. Unfortunately, the weather condition in late 1999 in the Northern Shan State was not particularly favourable for agricultural production. So they were not able to produce as many tons of buckwheat as expected but I am pleased to know the first shipment of buckwheat cultivated in Myanmar to Japan is to be successfully undertaken on 8 March; It is my hope that this first shipment will be followed by subsequent successful shipments in the years to come.

Thank you.

Then, Director-General Col Wunna Maung Lwin of Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department said.

I am greatly honoured to have this opportunity to brief Your Excellencies and Distinguished Guests about the success we have made in the Project for cultivation of Buckwheat as an opium poppy substitute crop.

With strenuous efforts of the work Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races and the relevant Sub-committees, coupled with the assistance of the Japanese Government we have achieved one important milestone today in the project for the cultivation of buckwheat as an opium poppy substitute crop.

We will be able to export one container of buckwheat to Japan on 8 March.

We have achieved this success through the close cooperation of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and the Embassy of Japan.

May I brief you all, about the Project for cultivation of Buckwheat as an opium poppy substitute crop.

Director-General Mr Tomomitsu Iwakura, of the Foreign Policy and for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Policy Research
Council of Liberal Democratic Party of Japan paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs on 16-7-96 to implement the project for cultivation of buckwheat as an opium poppy substitute crop.

Mr Tomomitsu Iwakura also paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation and to the Myanma Agriculture Service. The Japan Noodle Organization signed a MoU with Myanma Agriculture Service to conduct buckwheat trial cultivation. A total of 3 trainees were sent to Japan to attend the course on buckwheat cultivation from 9-8-96 to 30-8-96.

When the 3 trainees arrive back in Myanmar they conducted 32 acres of buckwheat trial cultivation in Phaykhone, Kathekwin, Sibu, Kyauktalone, Naunghtaw and Heho areas.

As trial cultivation of buckwheat in Myanmar was successful, Mr Iwakura and his team came to Myanmar on 214-97 and discussed about the Crop substitution buckwheat cultivation in the Kokang Region. The team visited Kokang Region and discussed the cultivation of buckwheat with the local authorities and the Kokang leaders.

Mr Iwakura visited Myanmar again on 11-9-97 and paid a courtesy call upon Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and discussed about the intended trial cultivation of buckwheat in Kokang Region. He also discussed about the infrastructure development to be implemented in Kokang region if the buckwheat project is successful.

Professor Akio Ujihara of Shinshu University and 3 students accompanied by Deputy Director-General Lt-Col Myint Swe of PBANRD made preparations to conduct trial buckwheat cultivation in Kokang region from 16-7-97 to 19-7-97.

Professor Akio Ujihara and 8 students of Shinshu University ,conducted 4 acres of buckwheat trial cultivation in Kokang region from 18-8-97 to 19-8-97.

Lt-Col Myint Swe visited Japan on a study tour of buckwheat cultivation from 28-8-97 to 6-9-97.

Mr Iwakura revisited Myanmar from 25-11-97 to 6-12-97 to witness the harvest of trial buckwheat cultivation in Kokang region.

Professor Ujihara revisited Myanmar from 22-3-98 to 12-4-98 to conduct trial buckwheat cultivation of summer in Tarshwehtang, Kutkai and Monekoe areas.

Mr Iwakura paid a courtesy call on Minister Col Thein Nyunt on 26-8-98 and discussed about the transportation, processing and quality control of the buckwheat. Mr Iwakura and Professor Ujihara went up to Kokang region and Tarmoenye areas for the extension of 200 acres of buckwheat cultivation using Kitawase variety. JICA supplied 4 tons of Kitawase buckwheat seeds, 6 threshing machines and 2 motor vehicles for the buckwheat project.

Officials of the Japan Noodle Organization and Japanese Embassy together with Professor Ujihara and Lt-Col Myint Swe went up to Kokang and Tarmoenye to conduct feasibility and survey for the market of buckwheat in Myanmar.

Professor Ujihara conducted the post harvest technology course for 3 trainees who were selected to attend the training in Japan from 15- 11 -98 to 1 - 12-48.

The ceremony to harvest and mark the successful commercial production of buckwheat in Kokang region was held on 30-11-98. Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Ministers attended the ceremony. Mr Kazuo Asakai, Ambassador of Japan, Mr Iwakura and officials of Federation of Buckwheat Association in Japan and various local and international journalists attended the ceremony.

JICA provided a buckwheat processing plant which was put up in Laukkai by Professor Ujihara and Engineer Mr Ikuro Hama from 29-12-98 to 6-1-99.

Four trainees had attended the training for buckwheat post harvest technology course in Japan from 25- 1 -99 to 12-3-99. Professor Ujihara was appointed as long term buckwheat expert starting from

April 1999 and was stationed in Lashio.

Mr Iwakura revisited Myanmar and paid a courtesy call on Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Minister for PBANRDA Col Thein Nyunt and discussed the extension of 2000 acres of buckwheat cultivation in Kokang, Kutkai, and Tarmoenye areas.

Propagation of buckwheat seeds was conducted at the end of February in Lashio using 2.5 metric tons of Kitawase variety procured in Kokang region.

Buckwheat cultivation of 2000 acres was cultivated in Kokang Region in 19992000 season. The Japanese Government provided 19.6 tons of buckwheat seeds.

1. Tarshwetang   500 acres
2. Laukkai          500 acres
3. Monekoe       350 acres
4. Tarmoenye     650 acres
5. Others            145 acres
     Total           2145 acres

Unfortunately there was frost in the last week of December in Kokang Region. Most of the buckwheat cultivations were damaged due to this worst frost in 100 years. But some of the buckwheat cultivations in the Tarmoenye area were successful and we have managed to buy 42.93 metric tons of which 18 tons will be exported to Japan in one container.

Mr Tyojirou Jinta, President of the Federation of Japan Noodle Organizations and members visited Kokang Region and met with the Buckwheat farmers. They also celebrated the buckwheat noodle tasting ceremony in Yangon and offered to pay 300 US $ FOB for Myanmar Buckwheat.

We have now showed the world community that we are committed to eradicate opium poppy cultivation by cultivating buckwheat as a substitute crop.

Buckwheat cultivation will surely bring about the food security of the poppy farmers.

The success owed much to Mr Tomomitsu Iwakura, Director-General of Policy Research Council, LDP Party of Japan who has endeavoured much to this project and also to Mr Kazuo Asakai, Ambassador of Japan and Embassy staffs, and JICA experts headed by Mr Akio Ujihara who have worked hard in the project area. May I reiterate my thanks to all who have been part and parcel in the endeavours for the success of this buckwheat project. In replying to queries raised by local and foreign journalists, Deputy Director-General of the Progress, of Border Areas and National Races Department Lt-Col Myint Swe said that there have been 17 groups of foreigners which visited Kokang region, and among them, Japan is providing assistance and other 16 groups are considering providing assistance.

In 1999, UNDCP launched projects valued at US $ 330,000 for Kokang region and projects valued at US $ 240,000 for northern Wa region, and these projects are being implemented.

The prevailing price for a ton of buckwheat is US $ 60 more than it was in the previous year. The price of buckwheat exported by China is US $ 190 and 210, and Australia also sold buckwheat for US $ 190 a ton to Japan.

Then, they made a name in the buckwheat market, and the current price is over US $ 400.

Buckwheat from Kokang region is of high quality. A buckwheat dinner was held in Japan at the night of 25 December. The leaders of the State, private noodle merchants and senior officials of the mills attended it. All unanimously accepted that buckwheat from Kokang tastes best at the buckwheat competition .

However, buckwheat seeds from Kokang region are to be carried by air and buckwheat from China, Canada, the USA, Austria and New Zealand by sea.

Therefore, if there is no decrease in quality after 18 tons of buckwheat are imported, buckwheat from Myanmar can penetrate into the Japanese market.

Newspapers and the TV station often state the buckwheat project in Myanmar, and Myanmar buckwheat has become popular in Japan. So, if quality can be controlled, buckwheat can fetch good price next year. As those who buy buckwheat are private entrepreneurs, it is not sure that they will buy buckwheat for the same price.

On 1 2 December last year, under the arrangement of the government, a 20- . member delegation of the buckwheat association went to Tarshwetang and Laukkai in Kokang region and had discussions with local residents.

They found that in striving to eliminate opium which poses a danger to mankind, buckwheat turns out to be a good weapon and local residents wish to grow a crop instead of poppy. Therefore, they buy buckwheat for US $ 300 a ton. If the quality of buckwheat can be maintained, the buckwheat project will be successful in future.

Kokang region is endowed with good weather and fertile land, where every plant can grow well. Rice from Kokang region is of high

quality and fetches more price than rice from central Myanmar in Laukkai. As known to all, Kokang tea leaves are famous, and the most important thing is that transport charges are reasonable.

Therefore, it will be better if measures are taken to have not only rural roads but also roads and bridges in Kokang region repaired and upgraded. Lashio-Laukkai journey which took almost two days about two years ago, now takes five hours.