Konjac (elephant yam) commercial farming increas­ingly grew in Tanin­thayi Region and this business flourished in the region.

Residents in Taninthayi Region primarily rely on fish­eries and perennial crops such as rubber, and areca nuts. At present, coffee, cocoa and kon­jac are cultivated under an in­tercropping system. Growers turn to commercial farming on a manageable scale. Kon­jac has foreign demand beyond domestic consumption. They are processed into dried kon­jac and powder with value ad­dition and exported to Japan, Thailand and China. Konjac is rich in Glucomannan fib­er. Konjac raw materials are utilized in food and beverage, cosmetics, traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industries with value addition. Even the byproducts can be used as an­imal feed.

“Konjac cultivation season starts in May-June and harvest season is in December. Cultiva­tion costs K6 million per acre and generates K10 to K12 mil­lion income,” said U Thaw Zin Tun, head of the Agriculture Department in Palauk Town.

“Growers started to cul­tivate konjac in the town five years ago. Foreign demand enticed them to execute this business two years ago. This way, konjac cultivation expand­ed in the region,” he added.

Chin State is the largest producer of Konjac in Myan­mar. Konjac is grown in Kachin, Shan, Mon, Kayin and Chin states and Bago, Sagaing and Taninthayi regions. High prof­itability and foreign demand prompted growers to cultivate konjac, according to the Agri­culture Department.

Konjac cultivation is found in Yephyu, Kaleinaung, Dawei, Thayetchaung, Palaw, Myeik, Kyunsu, Taninthayi, Palauk, Bokpyin and Mawtaung areas. — Myint Oo (Myeik)/KK