Watermelon growers from Bamauk Tsp reap gains from strong sales

The growers of watermelon (China Taiwan origin) in Bamauk Township, Sagaing Region, earn a handsome profit from solid sales.
A packet of watermelon seeds costs K15,000. The growers prepared for land treatment to cultivate the next crop after rice crops in Bamauk Township villages. The duration of watermelon planting is 100 days. The prices of watermelon range between K2,500 and K4,000, depending on size. The growers can yearly earn a healthy profit of K1 to 1.5 million. This melon is of high quality. Furthermore, chemical-free planting attracts more buyers, said a buyer Ma Zin Mar Htet Aung.
Earlier, we did not see any watermelon farm in Bamauk Township. At present, melon cultivation helps earn for the livings and socio-economy of the local people.
More than 1,000 trucks of watermelon are now stranded in Muse 105th mile zone. Over 200 trucks are passing the cross-border route between Myanmar and China. Consequently, watermelon supply exceeds the demand, leading to possible market failure, Khwar Nyo Fruit Depot warned.
A truckload of watermelon (855 variety) fetches 45,000-65,000 Yuan at present. Myanmar’s watermelon market primarily relied only on China. Myanmar has shipped 45 tonnes of seedless watermelon to the Dubai market in December 2020 and January 2021. After the country achieves success in the Dubai market, Myanmar plans to expand its market to Hong Kong SAR, the UAE, and Qatar. On 5 January 2021, 105th mile Fruit Wholesale Centre released a statement that the number of watermelon and muskmelon trucks for exports is to be set to govern the market.
During the previous financial year, the growers and the traders suffered the loss due to the price instability and transportation difficulties triggered by the COVID-19.
Watermelon and muskmelon will be harvested up to May-end across the country, except Kayah and Chin states.
Myanmar yearly exports over 800,000 tonnes of watermelon and about 150,000 tonnes of muskmelons to China, the association stated.—Hlaing Bwa/KK/GNLM