Farmers
Our Suppliers
Our valued farmers hail from the Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Mandalay regions, and many of them have been steadfast suppliers of pulses and beans to us for well over two decades, since 2002.
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Ayar Thukha San Co. Ltd originated in a rural setting, deeply rooted in the land. We share an intrinsic understanding of farmers, collectors, and the land itself. This profound connection to both people and the landforms the core of our company, and trust is at its heart.
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Trust serves as the bedrock upon which we build nearly everything we do. It underpins our relationships with farmers and collectors, as people trust us based on our longstanding presence and our unwavering commitment to honoring our agreements.
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We hold deep regard for our suppliers and comprehend the intricacies of their lives, recognizing that many of our farmers face economic challenges. We aspire to play a role in enhancing their livelihoods. Our business is fundamentally founded on genuine respect for those who cultivate our products and the tireless efforts that go into each harvest.
Presently, we collaborate with approximately 5,000 farming families. In rural areas, these families typically consist of around five individuals per household and their primary source of income is derived from cultivating beans and pulses. It's worth noting that a significant 70% of employment in Myanmar hinges on agriculture, underscoring the importance of these farmers' contributions to society.
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Our respect for these hardworking farmers is unwavering. Their daily toil is the backbone of our industry, and we are deeply committed to their livelihoods and well-being. We go a step further by contributing a share of our profits to support them because we firmly believe that our success is intertwined with theirs. In essence, we are in this together. Furthermore, we understand the importance of equipping our farmers with vital market information and insights into the export conditions of different countries. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions regarding the cultivation of high-value commodities.
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To facilitate this, we actively share our expertise and information with our small-scale farmers through a variety of means, including meetings, workshops, and seminars. This collaborative approach strengthens our partnership with these dedicated individuals and reinforces our commitment to their prosperity.
Farming Regions In Southern Myanmar
Our network of 5,000 bean and pulses farmers is primarily situated in the Delta region, which spans an impressive 12,000 to 20,000 hectares, depending on the season.
The Ayeyarwady Delta region is renowned for its exceptional agricultural potential, boasting incredibly fertile soils and abundant water resources. This region serves as the nation's food basket, providing sustenance to our people. The intricate network of rivers in the delta ensures a consistent water supply to the farms, while the land benefits from rich nutrients within the vast alluvial floodplain.
The Ayeyarwady Delta is also home to a diverse mix of ethnicities, including the Burmese, Kayin, and Rakhine people, who coexist harmoniously. Additionally, this region offers picturesque beaches like Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung, contributing to its income sources through tourism. Fishing and vegetable production further augment the livelihoods of its inhabitants.
Myanmar's delta region operates as a highly productive agricultural system, enabling farmers to cultivate multiple crops in rotation throughout the year. Regular crops include black matpe, green mung beans, rice, and yellow corn. Notably, these beans themselves are rich in nutrients, enhancing soil fertility and serving as green manure to further enrich the land. This holistic approach to farming underscores the sustainable and fruitful nature of agriculture in this area.
Crops – Black Matpe & Yellow Corn
Black Matpe
Black matpe plants thrive as bushy annuals in this region, particularly in the months of January and February when they burst into a vibrant life with dense clusters of yellow flowers. Within their pods, these plants bear up to ten small black seeds, and notably, their leaves are also edible, adding to their value.
Additionally, our collaboration extends to collectors and farmers in Shan and Kayar states. In Shan State, corn plays a pivotal role, contributing to over 50% of farming income. It serves as a crucial crop for most farmers, serving both as a source of cash and household food. A comprehensive study conducted in 2020 by the International Food Policy Research Institute highlighted that over 80% of corn cultivators could sustain a livelihood through corn cultivation. This underscores the importance of corn in the region's agriculture and its positive impact on the lives of farmers.
Yellow Corn
Yellow corn represents a significant portion of our business, accounting for more than 50% of our operations. Our success is deeply rooted in our steadfast commitment to delivering on our promises, and this commitment has been met with tremendous growth in the region, with the number of growers tripling over the years.
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Remarkably, nearly 80% of village lands, especially in Shan State, are dedicated to maize cultivation. Depending on the year and varying conditions, we source an impressive 50,000 to 100,000 tons of corn.
Farmers in the region typically cultivate corn on flat or slightly sloping lands with soil of moderate quality. There is also some cultivation on moderately to steeply sloping land, although this accounts for only about 10% of corn production. The predominant method of corn cultivation is rainfed, further highlighting the importance of this crop in the region's agricultural landscape.
Crop Diversification
Crop diversification is vital for both nutrition and reducing vulnerability to crop failures. Many of our farmers maintain small gardens that feature an array of vegetables, root crops (such as garlic, turmeric, ginger, and potatoes), fruits (including mangoes, bananas, and avocados), legumes, and oilseeds. They consume these crops for sustenance and sell any surplus in local markets, generating a valuable second source of income.
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A special period for us occurs during crop flowering between September and October. During this time, the mountainous landscape transforms into a picturesque tableau of lush cornfields bathed in golden light, set against a backdrop of white, fluffy clouds. It's a tangible manifestation of our collective efforts, especially those of women farmers who predominantly manage the labor-intensive tasks. This spectacle is followed by the harvest season in December.
Farming regions in southern Myanmar
Our 5,000 bean and pulses farmers are mostly in the Delta region that covers 12,000–20,000 hectares, depending on the season.
The Ayeyarwady delta region is excellent for agriculture with very fertile soils and plenty of flowing water. It is the food bowl for our nation and people. The delta forms a series of river networks bringing water to the farms. It is nutrient rich land with a vast alluvial floodplain.
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A mix of ethnicities including Burma, Kayin, and Rakhine people live together in this region. There are also many beaches, such as Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung. Tourism is another income source here, as well as fishing and vegetable production.
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Myanmar’s delta area is a highly productive system and farmers can grow multiple crops a year in rotation. Black matpe and green mung beans, rice and yellow corn are regular crops. The beans are also rich in nutrients themselves which contributes to soil fertility and can be used as green manure to further enrich the soils.
Crops – Black matpe & corn
Black matpe
Black matpe are bushy annual plants well developed in this region. In January and February, the bushes come alive with dense clusters of yellow flowers. The pods carry up to ten small black seeds and the leaves are also edible.
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We also work with collectors and farmers in Shan and Kayar states. In Shan State, corn brings in over 50% of farming income. It is a vital crop for most farmers for cash and household food. A 2020 comprehensive study of corn cultivators by the International Food Policy Research Institute found that more than 80% of farmers could make a living growing corn.
Yellow corn
Yellow corn accounts for over 50% of our business. Our success is built on the strong promise that we can deliver over the years as growers have tripled in this region. Almost 80% of village land, especially in Shan state, plants maize. Depending on the year, we source 50,000–100,000 tons of corn.
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Farmers grow corn on flat or slightly sloping land with fair quality soil. Some corn grows on moderate to steeply sloping land, but this is only about 10%. Overwhelmingly, the corn is rainfed.
Crop diversification
Crop diversification is important for nutrition and to reduce vulnerability to failed crops. Most of our farmers have a small garden with a variety of vegetables, root crops (garlic, turmeric, ginger, and potato), fruit (mango, banana, and avocados), legumes, and oilseeds. They eat these crops and sell any surplus to local markets as a second income source.
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A special time for us is crop flowering between September and October. These mountain areas become a beautiful landscape of green corn fields against golden light and white, fluffy clouds. We can really see the fruition of efforts, especially of women farmers who do most of the labour. Then comes the harvest in December.