Nyaung-U, 14 December

Black sesame (samon variety) is being harvested in Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, and black sesame growers have hope of high yield and better prices, according to U Win Tin, a black sesame grower in Taungshae village. 

In the township, the growers cultivated black sesame seeds in September and harvested in November or December. In monsoon season, the yield of monsoon sesame has significantly dropped this year. However, the winter sesame growers harvested a good yield of sesame than monsoon season. 

The black sesame growers from Nyaung-U Township are selling their crops to the depots in Pakokku and the black sesame seeds are now priced at K 57,000, 55,000 and 45,000 per basket depending on the quality. A basket of black sesame includes 15 viss of the sesame, according to U Bo Gyi Naing, owner of Nilar depot in Pakokku. 

Maung Maung Htein (Kyaukpadaung)
Translated by Suyee