Number of cotton farmers declines in Sagaing

Number of cotton farmers declines in Sagaing
A cotton plantation in Sagaing Region.
A cotton plantation in Sagaing Region.
Published 11 January 2020

 

A decline in the number of cotton farmers is linked to the lack of development in the cotton oil market and cotton-related business, said Win Hlaing Oo, Director of Magway Region Agriculture Department Office. 

Growing other crops is more economical rather than cotton growing but cotton is an essential crop for our country. The Agriculture Department is working to increase the number of cotton growing acres in order to help support the industry sector and create more employment opportunities, he added.

“The cotton oil market is not good. The cotton-related chain and industries see low development. Farmers grow less number of cotton acres as the cotton-related market such as weaving and blanket is not good, he continued. 

We can produce cotton oil from cotton seeds. Cotton oil is good. Cotton cake can be used for animal feeds. Farmers need high-quality cotton seeds to have a bumper harvest. They find it difficult to sell cotton due to a fewer number of cotton merchants, he said. 

There are only a few number of farmers in Yinmarpin, Salingyi, Pale and Monywa Townships in Sagaing Region.