More tomatoes are being cultivated in Phaungpyin township, Sagaing region, because of the high price of tomatoes this year, according to the local growers.
The tomato price was K600 per viss in the harvest season. Now, the tomato is priced at K450 per viss in the market. So, the local people are growing more tomatoes so far because it could make more profit.
“I have grown the tomato loyar 909 species. It could fetch a high price and make more profit since it is the yield season. Even if we sell the tomato for K150 per viss, we do not lose but make less profit. Now, we are selling the tomato for K450 per viss. Now, I have cultivated more tomatoes, and they will yield in April and hope to have a good price,” said U Nyo Lin, a tomato grower from Yarbin village.
The growers from Paungbyin township are annually cultivating the tomatoes in September. The nursery plants are transplanted to the ground after 15 days, and the fruits could yield after three months. The fruits could be harvested for up to 6 months. The tomato plantations can generate an income of K1.5 million per 1,000 trees, and the cultivation costs K100,000. —Ko Tun (Paungbyin)/GNLM
