Where were you born?
I was born in Yangon in 1935.

Where were you educated?
After receiving four degrees from Yangon University, I undertook further studies from 1963 to 1967 at the University of California, Los Angeles, where I received a second Masters degree and a Ph.D. In 1973, I was awarded a scholarship by the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations agency, and spent a year doing post-doctoral research at Washington State University. The year included a month in India at a nuclear facility at Trombay, near Bombay (Mumbai).

Why did you become interested in agriculture?
Because agriculture is the mainstay of Myanmar’s economy. It contributed 49.27 per cent of GDP in 2001-2002 with a workforce of 63 per cent of the total population.

When and why was the academy formed?
The academy was formed in September 1999 to undertake the responsibility of contributing to the development of agriculture and natural resources in building a peaceful, modern and developed nation by using the expertise and knowledge of its members. The academy has 112 members.

How does the academy contribute to the development of the agriculture and fisheries sectors?
The academy contributes information, knowledge, experience and technology for both sectors.

What are the academy’s main achievements?
Our academy has accomplished various tasks involving human resources development and the dissemination of technical information. The academy has also submitted policy and technical recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. The academy has signed contractual agreements with various international organisations. For example, it signed a contract with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation last year to implement the integration Myanmar’s agriculture into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Technical Co-operation Program.

What are some of the challenges facing the two sectors?
They include strengthening current policies, developing strategies for plan implementation and institutional arrangements, human resource development, input supplies, research, development and extension work.

What is your role as a vice president of the academy?
My role is to assist in carrying out all the academy’s responsibilities. I am also responsible for international relations, probably because of my international civil service experience.

What satisfaction do you derive from your position as a vice-president of the society?
Although I am retired, the fact that I can still contribute to my country by sharing whatever experience and insights I have gained during my 40 years’ service gives me much satisfaction.

What other positions have you held?
From 1987 to 1992 I worked for the then Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as director-general of its Planning and Statistics Department. In 1992 I was transferred to the newly-formed Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation as director-general at Department of Agricultural Planning, a position I held until my retirement in 1995. Before and after my retirement I worked as chief technical advisor for a United Nations Development Program and Food and Agriculture Organisation integrated agricultural development project. I was also a consultant for various UN agencies, including its Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok.

What is your favourite time of day?
The evening, especially after a light exercise work-out, because I think I have completed my day usefully.