A ceremony to honour farmers, producers and exporters of Myanmar Pawsan rice which won the World’s Best Rice-2026 award, was held in conjunction with the workshop on the plans for sustainable development at the convocation hall of the Yezin University of Agriculture in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area yesterday morning, with an address by President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing.
Speaking on the occasion, the President revealed that Myanmar’s Pawsan Hmwe rice has won the World’s Best Rice award for 2026, marking its second victory 15 years after first receiving the honour in 2011, which serves as renewed international recognition of Myanmar Pawsan’s quality, aroma, and taste.
He stated that everyone had to strive to make Myanmar Pawsan a high-quality National Brand that could represent and uphold the prestige of Myanmar.
He noted that during the 2025 monsoon paddy season, around 1.3 million acres of Pawsan paddy had been cultivated nationwide, yielding over 78 million baskets; he added that if high-quality Pawsan rice could be exported as premium rice, it would not only boost foreign exchange earnings but also ensure fair prices and income for farmers.
The President acknowledged that through the collaborative initiatives conducted with JICA from 2018 to 2024, new varieties Yezin Pawsan-1 and Yezin Pawsan-2 were successfully developed to enable all-season cultivation and high yields. He noted that farmers and the public will only be able to fully reap the benefits of this research once the results of developing these new Pawsan varieties are effectively applied directly in the field.
The President underlined that it was important not only to produce high-quality paddy, but also to secure fair prices, reduce production costs, and establish direct market access.
He stated that in order to enhance international recognition of the “Myanmar Pawsan”, it was necessary to implement a branding strategy based on quality consistency, traceability of origin, and building consumer trust.
The President highlighted that for Myanmar Pawsan rice to establish a sustainable standing in the international market, attention must be paid not only to increasing production volumes, but also to food safety, quality standards, and brand trust. Consequently, it was highlighted that systems such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP should be implemented as needed, alongside strengthening quality-testing laboratories and certification assurance systems.
He outlined that in order to secure a firm market presence for rice sold under the name “Myanmar Pawsan”, everyone must participate in ensuring that there is no mixing of different varieties and no compromised quality.
He stressed that in implementing the rice export target for the 2026-2027 financial year, it is necessary to promote the role of high-quality rice.
The President expressed his hope that through this workshop, clear and precise targets could be established and implemented to sustain ongoing efforts toward further elevating the quality of Myanmar Pawsan rice, ensuring sustainable development, securing a solid standing in the international market, and increasing farmers’ incomes.
The President presented honorary medals to responsible officials and farmers from export promotion for Myanmar’s Pawsan, research, sustainable development, cultivation and production sectors.
President of the Myanmar Rice Federation U Ye Min Aung handed over the World Best Rice-2026 award to President U Min Aung Hlaing.
Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung reported on winning the award for Myanmar Pawsan rice and the plans for sustainable development.
The President and party watched a video clip on holding the 2026 International World Rice Conference.
The MRF President handed over K3.25 billion to Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Ye Tint Tun. The funds included a transfer of K1.25 billion from the revolving fund for the rice seed sector, K1 billion from the revolving fund for Pawsan seed production enterprises, and K1 billion allocated to upgrade and modernize the Thayaungchaung Farm in Pathein and the Myaungmya Research Farm into Centres of Excellence (CoE) for Pawsan seed production and research development.
A farmer spoke words of thanks. The President posed for documentary photos together with the attendees. After the ceremony, the President and the attendees viewed the galleries on the export of Myanmar Pawsan, parboiled rice and broken rice, and research for various crops at the exhibition.
Also present at the ceremony were Vice-Presidents U Nyo Saw and Nan Ni Ni Aye, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo, Union ministers, Union-level dignitaries and officials. — MNA/TTA
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar