Myamnar rakes the moolah from Yongchak trade
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 07 2016 :
Even as Yongchak (petai or stinky bean or Parkia Speciosa) is one of the most favourite delicacies in Manipur, cultivators and traders from neighbouring country Myanmar are doing a thriving business by exporting the produce to Manipur.
During the peak season some here even prefer Yongchak to fish.
Nagaland too exported its Yongchak to Manipur in large scale.
The bean is however not consume widely in Myanmar or Naga-land as it is done in Manipur.
While people of the State do not think twice to buy Yongchak at any price, say, Rs 100-200 per piece in its fresh and younger stage, the trade in Yongchak flourish in Myanmar and Nagaland.
For instance, there was apprehension that the volume of Yongchak production in Myanmar this year would diminish as many Yongchak trees were razed down by violent storms that hit Tamu region last year.
Contrary to the fear and apprehension, the number of Yongchak in Nam-phalong market this year increased.
Clash even erupted among Yongchak traders from Awa and Moreh on March 16 this year.
Yongchak brought to Namphalong market are from two regions�one from Khampat, Kaley (Kalemyo) and Chin State and another from North Kondong, Minha (Mangsha) and Ongjia after crossing the Ningthi River.
Yongchaks are transported in Chinese 125 cc motor cycle, autorickshaws, vans and mini-trucks.
It starts appearing in the market from November when the beans in its younger and fresh state were transported from Kalemyo side.
The ones coming from Ningthi River side are seen a bit later.
On the average, about 60-70 motorcycles, three vans, two auto-rickshaws and three light trucks transported Yongchak to Namphalong from Kalemyo side daily during the peak season.
While the ones from Ningthi River side are transported on about 20 motorcycles and two light trucks daily.
About 800 to 1500 bean sticks can be carried in a motorcycle while 7000 bean sticks can be transported in an autorickshaw.
About 10,000 bean sticks can be carried in a van.
Since light truck coming from Ningthi river side are loaded with other items or due to the bad road condition, light truck could carry about 20,000 bean sticks.
At Namphalong market, the price of Yongchak per bean stick is Rs 4.50 at the minimum and Rs 15 per stick at the maximum.
At an average, about 1,70,000 bean sticks of Yongchak are sold at Namphalong market daily.
It is estimated that Manipur spent about Rs 12 lakh daily in buying Yongchak from Myanmar traders.
At this rate, the amount spent by Manipur in buying Yongchak from Myanmar stands at about Rs 3,60,00,000 per month.
The Yongchak season begins from November and lasts till April.
The seed is sold now at Rs 800 per kg at Namphalong.
A Myanmar citizen said that cultivation of Yongchak is more profitable than cultivating other plants or trees.
Due to its high economic value, many people including Govt agencies are planting/cultivating Yongchak in a large scale.
It is also pertinent to mention that Yongchak trees in Myanmar are also infected by diseases resulting in the death of the trees.
However, many new trees are planted to replace the death trees.
Comment
