MORE than 1.3 million acres of Pawsan rice, the World’s Best Rice, has been planted as monsoon paddy in Ayeyawady Region, according to the Ayeyawady Region Agriculture Department.
Farmers in 20 townships across eight districts of the region mainly grow four varieties: Pawsan Hmway, Pawsan Baykya, Baykya Taungpyan and Pawsan Yin, Lappan Pawsan and Thawkya Pawsan varieties are also cultivated.
“This year, monsoon Pawsan paddy is expected to yield between 65 and 75 baskets per acre. Last year, Pawsan was grown on 750,000 acres, while this year the cultivated area has exceeded 1.3 million acres. It is a great source of pride for the country, relevant departments and farmers that Myanmar’s Pawsan rice, described as the country’s pearl, has been recognized as the world’s best rice. This is a historic milestone for the nation. I also believe that Pawsan rice is creating greater economic opportunities for farmers,” said U Thein Aung Than, deputy head of Ayeyawady Region Agriculture Department.
More than 3.7 million acres of monsoon paddy have been planted across the region, comprising high-yield varieties, Pawsan varieties and local varieties. As of 15 October, about 130,000 acres of monsoon Pawsan paddy had been harvested. The department expects summer paddy cultivation to increase compared with last year as harvesting of monsoon paddy continues. The region usually grows around 1.5 million acres of summer paddy annually.
Although seasonal Pawsan varieties are not usually grown in summer, Yezin Pawsan-1 and Yezin Pawsan-2, developed by the Department of Agricultural Research, were introduced in the region in 2025. While their aroma is less pronounced than that of seasonal Pawsan, efforts are underway to further improve their quality.
Myanmar’s Pawsan rice includes varieties such as Shwebo Pawsan, Pawsan Hmway, Pawsan Baykya, Pawsan Gyi, Pawsan Yin, Myaungmya Pawsan, Pyapon Pawsan, Yezin Pawsan-1 and Yezin Pawsan-2.
At the International World Rice Conference 2026, held in Manila, the Philippines, on 9 September, Myanmar’s Pawsan Hmway rice won the “World’s Best Rice Award 2026” in the rice quality competition. — Nyein Thu (MNA)KTZH
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