05 June
The watermelon and muskmelon farmers from Sagaing region are reportedly planning to grow other crops in the next season.
“Because of the outbreak of coronavirus, we won't grow the watermelon and muskmelon in the next season. The acres of watermelon and muskmelon plantations will decline this year. The melon market has been damaged by the pandemic. This year, the local farmers lost 99 per cent of their profit and capital.
“So, some are selling their property such as cattle and plots of land to get back the capital for the next season. Now, there are no watermelon and muskmelon growers in Chaung U township. If there is no longer coronavirus spreading, we will prepare to grow watermelons and muskmelons.
“Now, there is no one preparing to grow the melons,” said vice-chairman U Wai Myint of watermelon and musk melon producers and exporters association in Sagaing region.
The watermelons and muskmelons are grown in Chaung-U, Khin-U, Daze, Ye-U, Kawlin, Katha, Htigyaing, Kanbalu, Shwebo, Myaung, Myinmu, Yinmabin, Monywa and Pale townships in Sagaing region. The melons are grown mostly in Chaung-U township. There are around 40,000 or 50,000 acres of watermelon plantations and around 20,000 acres of muskmelon plantations in Sagaing region.
The local growers from the Sagaing region are growing watermelons and muskmelons in August annually. They are picking up the fruits in the first week of November.
The cultivation of the watermelons and muskmelons cost around K2.5 million per acre.
Myo Win Tun (Monywa) (Translated by Hay Mar)
