Monywa District sees first-ever watermelon plantation under GAP system

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) on over 240 acres of watermelon and muskmelon plantation were launched in the Monywa district of Sagaing region, according to the Monywa District Agriculture Department.
Out of 3,000 acres under the GAP scheme, there was no watermelon and muskmelon plantations under the GAP system in Monywa, Budalin and Ayadaw townships. ChaungU Township has 43 acres of watermelon and 203 acres of muskmelon plantation under GAP system,” Department Head U Aung elaborated.
There are over 100,000 acres of watermelon and muskmelon in the Sagaing Region, primarily found in ChaungU Township.
According to the department, good Agricultural Practices ensure food safety, and the GAP growers can get more market access, locally and internationally.
In addition to food safety, GAP also ensures worker safety, health and welfare, and conservation of the environment.
Fruits and vegetables produced under GAP can fetch good prices. They ensure food safety and traceability. So, the department is raising awareness of GAP among growers by providing courses, the Agriculture Department stated.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation has encouraged farmers to use its GAP protocol to boost productivity, profitability, market access, and competitiveness in the agricultural sector. The GAP protocol and guidelines include the most consumed and major export items — mango, pomelo, honeydew, watermelon, avocado, chilli, tomato, onion, cabbage, corn, sesame, various beans, rice, and coffee. — Lu Lay, KK/GNLM