Nay Pyi Taw, 18 Nov — Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) convened its 31st day meeting on Tuesday with the discussions of agricultural and fishery sectors. U Htay Oo, representative of Hinthada Township constituency, asked whether the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has plans to substitute agricultural lands that cannot be used now for some reasons with new ones and the plans of ministry to promote paddy productions. Deputy Minister U Than Ohn said that double- crop paddy cultivation with irrigation system could cover the loss of paddy fields for some reasons, and the ministry is now issuing permits to individual and companies to use empty or virgin lands for agricultural purposes. He also said that rice sufficiency of the country is 168 percent for the country?s population of 51.42 million, and the government has adopted a 30-year plan for the sufficiency of rice to the population of 100 million by using high-yield varieties, systematic water supply, agricultural methods and enough input items. Thura U Aung Ko, representative of Kanpetlet Township constituency, asked whether the government has plan to prevent illegal fishing in Myanmar sea. U Khin Maung Aye, deputy minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, said that the ministry is taking actions against illegal fishing by withdrawing fishing rights, limiting fishing boats, days, areas, seasons, type of fishing nets, fish species and license. He said that the ministry is also monitoring closely the fishing boats by using GPS, and research fishery boats and patrol boats to prevent illegal fishing. Today?s meeting answered two questions on farming sector, and approved five bills followed by the consent of parliament.