The onion farmers in Kyaukpadaung are earning less profit as onion prices are declining after harvesting of the winter onion in Kyaukpadaung Township in Mandalay Region, said U Nan Tin, a local onion grower from Moak Gone village.
 

The price of onion is K500 per viss after yielding of the winter onion. At the same time, the onion growers are faced with the scarcity of the labour and also with high labour charges.
 

“More than 20 villages near Kyetmauktaung creek and dam have grown the winter onion. The onion started to grow in October and November. After 45 days, the onion from the nursery can be transplanted to the farmland. The onion growers use natural fertilizers such as cow and goat manure on their onion farm. After one and a half month, the growers put urea fertilizer depending upon the onion plant. The onion plants are watered day and night till 15 days before harvest time,” said U Zaw Chin, a local onion grower from Setpyarkyin village.
 

The onion growers have to pay K3,000 for female labour, K6,000 for male labour from 9 am to 4 pm and K6,000 per one trailer route during the onion harvest time as well as other charges. The planting of the winter onion costs K2 million per acre. However, they earn only K500 per viss after harvesting time. So, we are so unhappy about that, according to a local onion grower from Kyaukpadaung township.
 

In 2017-2018 fiscal year (FY), Myanmar earned over US$9 million from the export of 22,000 tonnes of onion. Myanmar also earned over $20 million from the export of 87,000 tonnes of onion in 2018-2019 FY. Myanmar has exported onion mostly to China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh.
 

The onion is mostly grown in Monywa, Myingyan, Taungtha, Pakokku, Kyaukse, Mandalay and Magway regions. —Ko Htein (Ngathayouk)

(Translated by Hay Mar)