2 Aug

The local farmers making briquettes in Tantaw village in Sagaing Township have resumed their businesses and are now happy with an increasing demand recently, according to the local people.

The briquette (alternative to firewood) makers have suspended their businesses beginning from the outbreak of COVID-19.

“We have been doing our family businesses for two years. During the COVID-19 control period, the sale of briquettes has dropped. We sent around 250 bags containing 40 briquettes to other regions previously.

Each bag was sold for K2,500. Now, the restaurants and tea shops have reopened and we started sending the briquettes. Even though the briquettes are not as much demanded as in those days, we are a bit convenient for our family livelihoods,” said a local briquettes maker.

The clay has been melted and mixed with the charcoal to be dried in the sun for three days. Each briquette can be used for over one hour.—Zaw Myint Naing (District IPRD) (Translated by Hay Mar)