November 12, 2024

 

Myanmar corn industry to embrace sustainable practices with new traceability system

The Myanmar Corn Industrial Association (MCIA) has announced a significant partnership with CP Group, aiming to enhance sustainability and transparency in the country's corn industry through the adoption of a new traceability system.

 

Spearheaded by MCIA chairman U Aye Chan Aung, this initiative marks an essential collaboration between public and private sectors, with the goal of engaging every farmer and operator in Myanmar's corn industry.

 

MCIA recently partnered with Charoen Pokphand Produce Company Limited (CPP) and Bangkok Produce Public Company Limited, a CP Group subsidiary, to implement a traceability system that will track Myanmar's corn from cultivation through to export. This initiative is expected to boost economic, social, and environmental sustainability across the region, enhancing Myanmar's position in markets that prioritise sustainably sourced materials.

 

Chairman U Aye Chan Aung emphasised the system's importance, noting that CP Group's traceability solution will increase the appeal of Myanmar's corn by confirming its origin and transparency. This, he explained, will open new markets for farmers who comply with high sustainability standards, adding value to their produce and giving assurance to buyers domestically and internationally. By joining the system, farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable farming practices, fostering long-term trust in Myanmar's agricultural products.

 

The traceability system is designed to provide corn traders with verified proof of sustainable sourcing, meeting environmental standards required by international markets. This system not only enhances product value but also lowers business risks through detailed traceability data for raw materials.

 

U Aye Chan Aung highlighted the role of technology in addressing environmental challenges, including the prevention of deforestation and the promotion of eco-friendly farming practices. This technological approach aligns with both local and global initiatives aimed at reducing environmental and health risks.

 

In the long term, the partnership between private sector players, farmers, and operators is expected to lay a robust foundation for a sustainable corn industry in Myanmar. MCIA has committed to supporting the nationwide adoption of the traceability system, with a focus on improving industry transparency and sustainability.

 

Dr Pyo Ko Naing, managing director of Alliance Eagles Group Limited and an MCIA board member, commended the cooperation among government bodies, private enterprises, and farmers. He noted that this traceability project will strengthen the corn supply chain's sustainability and transparency, covering each stage from cultivation to export.

 

Founded in 2019, MCIA works to foster cooperation across Myanmar's corn industry, advocating for sustainable development, agricultural financing, and eco-friendly farming practices. The association also promotes the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATH), aiming to curb pollution from deforestation fires that have detrimental health and environmental impacts.

 

-      Bangkok Post