Pajau Media Channel (News Article)
The demand of grapefruit from Putao, which is popular not only in Kachin State but also in all parts of Myanmar and which is said to be the most suitable souvenir for friends, has increased greatly since 2010.
In the past, there was no commercial cultivation of the Grapefruit in the Putao District. The locals produced Grapefruit as a local food and as a kind of fruit that can be shared with each other. However, it must be said that nowadays, the demand of Grapefruit has increased more than the production capacity and it has changed to commercial crops.
Where did this fruit come from?
The grapefruit species was brought by Westerners who are Christian missionaries and planted in the Putao District about a hundred years ago. It can be found in all parts of Myanmar and is cultivated and produced in all areas around Myanmar.
The Putao local grapefruit has a thin skin and is full of juice with good and delicious quality. It is said that eating grapefruit can achieve health in harmony with human’s body. Grapefruit is eaten in many ways such as naturally, grapefruit juice, grapefruit wine, and so on.
There are two types of grapefruit produced in Putao District, the red flesh type and the white flesh type. Within these two types of grapefruit, the type of grapefruit with a white flesh is the most popular one in the market. And it is a seasonal fruit that bears only once a year, and can be picked from the end of September to February every year, and can be said to be a local winter crop.
Among various local fruits in Putao, Grapefruit is the most popular fruit, because it can be stored naturally for longer months than other fruits. It can normally be stored naturally for six months or more. Therefore, the fruit can be easily carried everywhere.
In the past ten years, in the East of Putao District, it was the cheapest in the market and did not get much price. However, in the present time, Putao Grapefruit has become known as a local fruit that almost everyone likes, and the price of the fruit has been increasing year by year. However, in the present time, Putao grapefruit has become known as a local fruit that almost everyone likes, and the price of the fruit has been increasing year by year. In the previous period of 2022, they were 500 kyats for 3 grapefruits, but at the beginning of this year, the prices went up to 600-800 kyats per pcs.
Grapefruits from Putao District are mainly transported to Mitkyina, and it is said that the price of Putao Grapefruits in Myitkyina has increased from 1,000 kyats to 1,500 kyats per piece this year. And when it comes to be called Putao Grapefruit, it is not only for tourists who come from different areas, also it has become a kind of fruit that has been brought as a local souvenir to friends from overseas. Most of the tourists who are visiting Putao District buy Grapefruits at the morning market of Putao Kaung Kahtawng and the Lay Yin Kwin market as souvenirs on their way home.
The Grapefruit tree is a perennial fruit tree with a lifespan of forty to sixty years. This plant is grown by planting seeds and grafting on the branches of other fruit trees. It is found that most of the local people are planting more by the branching method. Because when planting seeds, it has to be waited for at least eight to ten years, and when planting branches, it can bear fruit even after four to six years.
News - Malihku
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