Our farmer groups in Kayin State are mostly in Thandaunggyi, Than Daung district. It is the heart of Kayin State.

 

Early in the morning, a sea of clouds opens to let in the sun’s rays. The cool air greets our dedicated farmer workers in their fields. The sounds of birds and views of Naw Bu Baw Prayer Mountain ties the farmers to generations of farmers who have sowed and reaped this land.

 

Thandaunggyi is surrounded by natural beauty. The Pathi Mountain stream brings clear water all year round.

 

It is inhabited mainly by Baw Kayin people, and other ethnic groups wearing red, white and black traditional dresses. They live in traditional homes made from bamboo and wood. Around their homes, stretching up the mountain side, are vegetable gardens full of eggplant, tomato, cucumbers, chili, cardamon, ginger and turmeric, and fruit trees, mangosteen, lychee, and durian.

 

Using polytunnels, farmers can supply the market with juicy red tomatoes (Royal 624 F1 variety) all year round. Tomatoes are a very important vegetable in Myanmar, grown and consumed three times more than any other vegetable. They also supply okra, ginger, turmeric, and cardamon twice a year.

 

We also source aromatic golden yellow quince from Bamaw in southern Kachin State. It grows on the banks of the Irrawaddy River’s most picturesque areas that can only be reached by boat.