Kyaukse Agricultural Research Farm distributes chickpea seeds in Mandalay region

Agricultural Research Farm in Kyaukse township, Mandalay studies chickpea seeds and yearly distributes the beans to fulfil the requirement of the seeds in the region.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, the Agricultural Research Department’s research farm researched in the late monsoon season. The study focused on disease-resistant seeds, propagation, increasing crop productivity and maintaining the potential seeds.
The farm yearly produces chickpea varieties (Yezin 6,12, 3, 8,11 and 13), said U Tint Lwin, in-charge of the farm.
The Township Agriculture Department stated that there were 27,571 acres of chickpeas in the late monsoon season in Kyaukse Township.
The chickpea growers are expecting a good price in the coming harvest season amid low yield this year.
On 5 February, the prices of chickpeas ranged between US$1,365 and $1,385 per metric ton, Bayintnaung market’s data showed.
At present, the domestic bean market is positively related to supply and demand law. The black bean price depends on the buyers and sellers. There is no official set price, the traders stressed.
“The prices usually fluctuate, depending on supply and demand. When the peas are loaded on the ship, the prices climb up. At present, the market is slowing down due to transportation problem and transaction difficulties,” said a trader from Mandalay sharing his opinion.
Myanmar exported chickpeas to India, Pakistan, the UAE, Turkey and other foreign markets last year.
The chickpeas are cultivated in Yangon, Mandalay, Bago, Sagaing and Ayeyawady regions and Nay Pyi Taw. There are 890,000 acres of chickpeas across the country.
The peas are cultivated in October and November, and they are harvested in the January-April period. — IPRD/ KK/GNLM