November 16
SHWE Ni (168) papaya, a rich in vitamins fruit, are being grown in Koywar Thanbyaygon, Pobbathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory. The Shwe Phoo agricultural group imported the Shwe Ni papaya seeds of Taiwan species and is cultivating them under the GAP method. Currently, papaya cultivation has succeeded and become marketable.
U Win Hlaing Myo, an agronomist from Shwe Phoo agricultural group said that we have cultivated about 20,400 plants of papaya in 30 acres plot of land. There are about 680 plants per acre and each plant is set at least eight feet apart. The Shwe Ni papaya has female and male plant. It can be cultivated in any weather. The Taiwan papayas seeds are put into plastic bags together with compost and grown in the shade place. After two months, the fruits begin to bear and are yielded when the fruit is ripe. Each tree can produce about 70 or 100 fruits.
The cultivation costs per acre are about K1.8 million. The unripe fruits are sold for K500 per one while the ripe fruits are fetched at K1,500 or K2,000 per one. The nursery plant of papaya is also sold for K500 per plant for those who want to grow the plant. At present, Shwe Ni papaya has been distributed across the country and are being planned to penetrate the international market as well.
In addition, people who are interested in cultivating the trees are allowed to visit the Shwe Phoo farmland. — Myo Thiha (IPRD)/GNLM
