Myanmar agricultural experts are eager to use a Japanese fertilizer that could help them grow better rice and significantly increase output, if only their farmers could afford it.
After the experts studied the fertilizer manufacturing process during a visit to Katakura Chikkarin Co.'s plant in Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 25, they said they wanted Japan to build plants in Myanmar to provide farmers with an effective fertilizer to replace the Chinese one they currently use.
Along with richer fertilizer, the introduction of advanced rice milling, storage and post-harvest technology, as well as the expansion of irrigation systems, are key to boosting the competitiveness of Myanmar's farm sector as it seeks to become a major rice exporting country like neighboring Thailand and Vietnam, they said.