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Cassava, introduced to Myanmar in the mid-19th century, has evolved from a traditional food crop to a significant economic commodity in the country. Widely cultivated across various regions, cassava serves multiple purposes, including starch production, snack food, flavoring, and animal feed processing. Recent years have witnessed a surge in attention towards cassava cultivation, recognizing its potential as a lucrative export crop.

With a planting area of 16,000 hectares and a total production of 211,000 tons, Myanmar boasts an average cassava yield of 12,179 tons per hectare. This crop is grown extensively throughout the country, with key cultivation areas including Irrawaddy, Bogoo, Tanintharyi, Yangon, and Kachin.

Traditionally, cassava was cultivated by smallholder farmers using local varieties in arid regions with minimal fertilization. However, the rapid expansion of cassava processing industries, both domestically and in neighboring countries like China and Thailand, has transformed cassava into a cash crop with immense market potential. Farmers now prioritize selling fresh cassava to local starch factories and wineries to maximize income.

In recent years, commercial cassava cultivation has gained traction, with plans to introduce high-yielding Chinese varieties. Cassava starch, a key derivative, finds application in various food processing industries. Myanmar's cassava exports primarily target China via land routes through Muse, while marine exports reach destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, and India.

Notably, regions like Irrawaddy and Kachin State have witnessed significant cassava production, with approximately 3 million bags annually. Chinese merchants' interest in purchasing cassava roots at premium prices has further stimulated cultivation and export activities. The burgeoning cassava industry, characterized by numerous small, medium, and large-scale processing facilities, reflects Myanmar's transition towards cash crop agriculture and its increasing integration into global markets.

Source: http://www.cassavaprocessingmachine.com/news/cassava_production_in_myanmar_1375.html