20 Jan
Quality corn from Pinlaung Township in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of southern Shan State produced under opium substitution projects is offered high price. The Ministry of Border Affairs, head of PaO Self-Administered Zone and Mae Fah Luang Foundation implemented opium poppy substitution projects. It aimed to generate K4 million income in minimum per year for each household of local growers. The infrastructure such as utilities, water supply and transport, and agriculture and livestock were also conducted.
“CP Company provided corn seeds and fertilizer with zero interest and also disseminated know-hows of quality corn cultivations. Furthermore, they also share harvesting methods to improve corn standards. The corn procurement department also offered high price to increase the growers’ benefits,” said U Khun Yee Thant, CP Company’s procurement department manager. Corn has grasped both the foreign market and local market shares. The corn growers have grown this year compared to the previous year as it is the reliable crop. Therefore, growers need to use systematic harvesting methods, he urged.
“To generate an income of K4 million in minimum for each household, the public and private partners are working together for sustainable crop substitution programme, and I believe it will come to fruition in a certain period,” said U Khun Saw Aung, representative of Shan State constituency.
The corns are normally priced the highest of K370 per viss ( a viss equals 1.6 kg), while CP Company purchases the quality corns produced under crop substitution program at K405 per viss.
“I am thankful for the development project. It provided corn seeds, fertilizer and growing and harvesting methods. Besides, they offered K30 per viss higher than other buyers. We will continue our corn cultivation next year as well,” said a grower Khun Tun Kyi from Phayaphyu village.
Mae Fah Luang Foundation from Thailand provided corn seeds, fertilizer, growing methods and harvesting methods to 500 growers from 17 villages in Mwaypyin, Lwemaw, Pinkhin and Pawin village-tracts of Pinlaung Township, which is opium poppy substitution project area.
Khun Aung (Naungtayar) (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
