Experimental cultivation of India drumstick species succeeds

The local farmers from Kyaukpadaung township, Mandalay region grew the drumstick, an India species, on a trial basis in their villages and their cultivation has succeeded, said Daw Htay Kyi, a local grower from Kyaukpadaung.
Therefore, the local farmers from other villages are now interested in growing India drumstick species, she added.
The local farmers from Kyaukpadaung township are planning to grow the India drumstick species on a commercial scale. They have already cultivated one acre of India drumstick species MPK1 on a trial basis. Their drumstick cultivation has now met with success.
The seeds of India drumstick species are sold for K100 per seed in Thanbyar Chaung village, Yesagyo township. Seeds are planted in one bag per seed. After three days of planting the seeds, the seeds begin to sprout. Then, the nurseries’ plants could be transplanted on the farmland after 18 days, said a drumstick grower named U Myo Min Ko.
The fruits, leaves and branches of India drumstick species are produced as value-added products, which are highly demanded from foreign countries such as Japan, Singapore and India. However, domestic agricultural production is still on a small scale. The India drumsticks are sold for K200 per one, according to the drumstick growers.
The farmers from Thanbyar Chaung village, Yesagyo township are selling the drumsticks for K2,500 per viss if they are India species and K500 for smaller pieces.
The drumsticks can bear fruits three times per year. Each time, we cut the leaves and branches of the drumstick trees and dry them all. After that, we are selling them in the market. Most of the villagers are growing the drumstick on a commercial scale.
India drumstick species is grown mostly in Kyaukpadaung, Wundwin and Yesagyo townships. Among them, Kyaukpadaung township has seen successful cultivation of India drumstick species. — Ko Htein (KPD)/GNLM