Coffee cultivation to expand by 1,000 acres in Taninthayi Region
Taninthayi Region will expand its coffee plantations by 1,000 acres in the 2025-2026 financial year, as the crop is recognized as one of the region’s potential commercial crops, according to the Taninthayi Region Agriculture Department.
With suitable water sources, land conditions and climate, Taninthayi Region is not only home to perennial crops such as rubber, oil palm and coconut but also favourable for cultivating Robusta coffee. Due to these advantages, the department is implementing plans to expand coffee cultivation across the region this year.
“In the 2024-2025 financial year, we expanded coffee by 1,874 acres in Taninthayi Region. As of today, the total area under coffee cultivation has reached 3,022 acres. In Myeik District alone, 940 acres were added in 2024-2025, bringing the district’s total to 1,200 acres. For 2025-2026, we plan to expand by 1,000 more acres region-wide, including 500 acres in Myeik District. We have already nurtured 170,000 coffee seedlings for distribution,” said an official from the regional Agriculture Department.
Coffee farmers in these areas are receiving the seedlings free of charge from the department. Farmers are also supported with technical advice on common cultivation issues, such as soil quality, good seed varieties, pest and disease control, and planting techniques. These services are available at any time through the respective district and township agriculture offices.
“Coffee trees are planted at the beginning of the rainy season, in June. They start bearing fruits in their fourth or fifth year. Harvesting takes place in December and January. Locally grown coffee is also being exported,” added the official.
Moreover, land-use efficiency is being improved by planting coffee as an intercropping crop between other perennial crops like rubber and areca palm. The plan also aims to increase farmers’ income, improve livelihoods, create local job opportunities, and help Myanmar coffee enter international markets. To support this, the department is providing both training and free seedlings to farmers. Coffee plantations in Myeik District have been established in Taninthayi and Mawtaung townships, as well as in Bokpyin Township, with acreage expanding in targeted areas.
Farmers can maintain regular contact with the department for ongoing technical support. As coffee cultivation expands, farmers’ incomes and the local socio-economic conditions are expected to improve. — Myint Oo (Myeik)/KZL
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar