Myeik District needs processing factory for oil palm fruits

The oil palm cultivation is flourishing in Myeik and Kawthoung districts, Taninthayi Region, however, there is lack of processing factory in Myeik District, according to Myeik District Agriculture Department.
Both domestic and foreign companies put investment in oil palm cultivation in Taninthayi Region. Oil palm cultivation across Taninthayi Region has exceeded 400,000 acres.
Oil palm plantation project was developed 30 years ago in Taninthayi Region, covering a total of over 400,000 acres mostly in Myeik and Kawthoung districts. There are two crude palm oil mills in Kawthoung District.
“The mills in Myeik area has capacity limit and cannot mill all the oil palm fruits produced in the district. Therefore, they are delivered to processing factory in Bokpyin, Kawthoung District and Yuzana mill in Kawthoung city. It can generate income of K310,000 per tonne of oil palm fruits,” said Daw Ingyin Khaing, head of Myeik District Agriculture Department.
There are over 20 incorporations engaged in oil palm plantation in Myeik District and about 40 private farm owners. They send their fruits to the factories in Kawthoung city.
“The oil palm fruits are commercially valued. Yet, the growers cost more transportation charges as there is no factory in Myeik District. Only if there is an own factory in Myeik District can the farm owners reap more profit,” a grower from Myeik District shared his opinion.
Oil palm cultivation can be found only in Taninthayi Region. The local growers are expecting to have processing factory in each district.—Myint Oo (Myeik)/GNLM