Dr. Khun Win Thaung, a MP from Kachin State Constituency-11, raised a question whether or not the government has a plan to rapidly take action against those who are carrying out the continued cultivation of tissue-cultured bananas on freehold lands in Dawphoneyan, Tarsaing and Tainpakyaing villages, in cooperation with Chinese entrepreneurs, at the session of Upper House Parliament on May 15.

Till August 2018, Kachin State government registered over 60,000 acres of tissue-cultured banana plantations. It is estimated that there may be more than 140,000 acres of tissue-cultured banana plantations near Waingmaw Township. The total banana plantations including those in Momauk, Bhamo and Shwegu Townships, is estimated to hit around 200,000 acres.

The Kachin State government  has issued directives about the plantations. A rapid increase in the number of tissue-cultured banana plantations results in the deterioration of ecosystem which is the spoilage of food chains for bees which are important to agriculture and climate change. In addition, we receive complaints about land disputes very often. The region sees the extended cultivation of banned tissue-cultured bananas with the use of heavy machineries, Dr. Khun Win Thaung added.

The Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation replied that the Kachin State government has formed a committee led by Kachin State Minister for Agriculture,  Livestock and Irrigation, so as to check and compile the detail lists of banana growing areas.