Myanmar’s cyclone-hit rice mills resume production

YANGON, June 17 (Asia Pulse) - Most of the rice mills in Myanmar's Yangon division, which were destroyed in a cyclone storm early last month, have resumed operation after prompt repair, the local weekly Flower News reported Tuesday. Of the 110 over-15-ton rice mills in Yangon division, nearly 100 have returned to normal operation since the beginning of this month, the report said quoting the Myanmar's Rice Millers Association.

However, of the 170 rice mills in the cyclone-hard-hit Ayeyawaddy delta region, only 50 could run.

The private rice millers are endeavoring to put all the 280 rice mills in both divisions into full production by the beginning of next year, the report added.

Meanwhile, according to Tuesday's official newspaper New Light of Myanmar, 32 main rice mills of 25-ton capacity in the delta region's Mawlamyinegyun township have been reoperating normally after renovation.

Ayeyawaddy division was traditionally known as the "rice bowl" of Myanmar.

In the cyclone disaster, over 1 million acres (405,000 hectares)of cultivable lands were flooded with sea water in 7 townships in Ayeyawaddy division, 3 in Yangon division, 2 in Bago division and 3 in Mon state during the storm with o