Coffee will be cultivated on 5,000 acres of land in Thandaunggyi Township, Kayin State, as part of a special coffee zone project, according to the state’s Agriculture Department.
Officials said there are also plan to cultivate lychee, pomelo, avocado, rambutan, orange, durian, mangosteen, star anise, green tea leaf, and cardamom at the Shwenyaungpin orchard owned by the Thandaunggyi Township’s Agriculture Department.
“We have inspected land preparation work for 5,000 acres of coffee farms and provided the necessary assistance,”said U Than Htike, the head of the
regional Agriculture Department.
“Five thousand acres of coffee farms have been registered under a special coffee zone project. The project aims to fulfil the market demand in Thandaunggyi Township, produce value-added coffee, and create jobs for residents,” he said.
“Coffee researchers and technicians are also required to cultivate quality coffee plants in Kayin State. At present, local farmer groups and coffee associations are working together on the project. Coffee farms will be extended by using pedigree coffee seeds based on Thandaunggyi’s weather, geography, and the requirements of growers,” he added.
“Two types of coffee beans are being cultivated in Thandaunggyi region, depending on the land. For instance, the Bawkali region is located 3,000 feet above sea level so, highland coffee beans are cultivated in the region, and lowland coffee varieties are being cultivated in Laketho and Thandaunglay regions as they are situated at an altitude below 3,000 feet. Good quality coffee can be exported if this project is successful,” said U San Lwin, a coffee grower from Thandaunggyi township.
Expansion of cultivation is also a means of import-substitution, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.
Coffee grower groups need to be established for exchange of technical knowledge, and necessary support from concerned departments is required to produce value-added coffee products.—MYANTRADE
(Translated by La Wonn)
