Coffee farmers reap a bountiful harvest on 1,041 acres of coffee farms in the highland of Ngaphe Township, Minbu District, Magway Region.
Ngaphe Township highland is located between longitude 94°25’E and 94° 26’E of Minbu-An Road. It sits more than 3,819 metres above sea level. This highland belongs to Asho Chin ethnic people, covering ten village-tracts. The ethnic people commonly cultivate coffee, tea leaf, avocado, citrus, chilli, banana, jackfruit and other perennial trees. About 40 acres of highland Arabica coffee plantation is also found in Natyaykan coffee farms under the Ngaphe Township Agriculture Department. There is a total of 1,001 acres of a private highland coffee plantation in those villages.
“A group of coffee growers has been formed to enhance the marketable quality. The awareness courses have been conducted three times, and so has been the demonstrations. Coffee seeds, plants and agricultural tools were also provided two times. The number of acres has grown over the years. About 45 tonnes of coffee have been produced so far in the current financial year 2020-2021. The coffee production generates annual revenue of K150 million.
Sometimes, the mixed farming of coffee tree with avocado, lychee, tea leaf, elephant foot yam and other perennial crops are also found. The Agriculture Department also raises awareness of land treatment, natural fertilizer, growing methods, and coffee production.
This year, disruption in transport hinders coffee exports. The coffee seeds are in the hands of the farmers instead.
Over 70,000 plants, including coffee, have been grown in a nursery for monsoon season, said U Zaw Thein, in charge of the coffee farm.
The coffee plants are suitable for the favourable weather in the highland of Ngaphe Township. Coffee cultivation costs K2 million per acre. Natyaykan coffee farms in Ngaphe Township produces 2.5 tonnes of coffee seeds, and the private farms produce 42.5 tonnes, totalling 45 tonnes. Those coffee seeds are sent to the markets of Ywangan, Yenangyaung and PyinOoLwin townships, fetching K3 million per tonne. — Ma Yu (Ngaphe) IPRD/GNLM
