Tissue-cultured banana exports flourish in Kachin State

Tissue-cultured banana exports to China through the Kampaiti border in Kachin State have been surging, according to U Htay Lwin, head of the Kachin State Department of Agriculture.
The state hosts 32 companies operating over 50,000 acres of plantation. The tissue-cultured banana has no local consumption and is grown mainly for exports.
The officer said: “Since the second week of March, 300 twenty-two-wheeler trucks loaded with bananas have been travelling to China through the Kampaiti every day.”
Myitkyina, Waingmaw and Bhamo are the primary cultivation areas in Kachin State, while Sagaing Region and certain outskirts of Kachin State also contribute to banana cultivation. Bananas reach peak ripeness for picking between November and March. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kachin boasted 70,000 acres dedicated to tissue-cultured bananas. However, due to the pandemic’s impact, this number has decreased to 50,000 acres. Each acre still holds the potential to generate revenue of US$6,000, so companies are considering expansion opportunities in the region.
The Kampaiti border facilitates the export of various commodities, including tissue-cultured bananas, green grams, cashew nuts, rice, sugarcane, cane, broken rice, chilli, rubber and butter beans. Additionally, it oversees the import of electronic devices, medicines, auto parts and foodstuffs. — ASH/NT