A man inspects fruit at a stall in Yangon. Fruit and vegetable traders last month formed an association which is now setting up branches and recruiting farmers throughout the country.

FRUIT and vegetable traders formed an association in Nay Pyi Taw last month in a bid to raise the sector’s productivity and regional competitiveness.

U Hla Maung Shwe, vice-president of the Myanmar Fruit and Vegetable Producers’ and Exporters’ Association, said the group would aim to utilise the latest technologies in fruit and vegetable cultivation and value-added manufacturing by importing higher quality seeds and modern agri-cultural machinery.

One of the key aims of the association would be to set up a special production zone for agricultural exports that would attract local and foreign investment, U Hla Maung Shwe said.

He added that the association was targeting regional markets as well as Myanmar consumers.

Agricultural products that were not of high enough quality to be exported in raw form might be exported after processing. The association would discuss this with the Food Processors and Exporters Association, U Hla Maung Shwe said.
Farmers would receive fixed prices for their produce in order to maintain price stability and ensure exports remained competitive, he added.

The association would be divided into five branches – cucumbers, other vegetables, mangoes, watermelons, and other fruits – to be represented in all divisions and states.

Association president U Win Aung said the group would also be involved in research activities.