YANGON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar aims to cultivate over 600,000 acres of cotton across six states and regions in the country during the 2024-25 fiscal year, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Monday.

The media report, citing Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung, said that a total of 612,712 acres of cotton will be grown in 19 cotton cultivation zones in six regions and states across the country.

With an anticipated yearly increase in cotton production, the Southeast Asian country also aims to expand its cotton plantations to 747,000 acres in the 2027-28 fiscal year, the media report said.

The Union Minister, at a meeting with officials from Magway region on Friday, also urged relevant departments, businesspersons and farmers to collaborate among them to overcome difficulties and limitations in cotton plantations and productions, the media report said.

He also stressed the importance of promoting cotton plantations, highlighting the role of cotton in the development of cotton-based micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the anticipated increase in cotton production, which would facilitate exports beyond domestic demand, it said.

According to the media report, an acre of cotton plantation in Myanmar produces approximately 700 visses (over 1,143 kg) of cotton.