25 August
VILLAGERS from Tharkyin in Ngan-zun Township, Myingyan District, Mandalay Region, have been selling traditional hand woven hats made of wheat straw for over 20 years.
The raw material for the hats comes from wheat fields after the harvest, and the pro-duction reaches its peak from February through May.
Sold at affordable pric-es and resistant to heat, the hand-woven hats are popular in upper Myanmar, especially in Nganzun, Myingyan, Bhamo and Mandalay.
The village produces over 70,000 hats per year.
But, the price of raw ma-terials for the hats is spiralling upwards, as the number of farmers who grow wheat is declining.
“The cost for wheat straw has doubled, from K60,000 and K70,000 per acre to K100,000 and K120,00,” said Ko Than Soe, a hat maker from the village, “Therefore, our profits are low.
”The village produces seven types of wheat straw hand woven hats, with prices ranging from K1,100 to K2,000.
As long as farmers grow wheat, the village will produce their hand-made hats made from wheat straw.
Tin Zar Hlaing (IPRD)
Translated by Nat Ye Hla
