GNLM

Myanmar has announced plans to expand coffee cultivation to 100,000 acres within two years, aiming to boost agricultural exports and support rural livelihoods. The initiative, led by the Department of Agriculture, comes despite mounting challenges posed by civil unrest and climate variability.

 

Currently, over 63,000 acres of Arabica and Robusta coffee are grown across the country. The expansion will target regions including Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Bago, and Tanintharyi, where elevation and rainfall patterns are generally favourable for coffee. Arabica thrives in cooler highlands, while Robusta tolerates warmer, lower altitudes.

 

Yet cultivating coffee in Myanmar is far from straightforward. The ongoing civil conflict has disrupted supply chains, displaced farming communities, and made access to remote plantations increasingly dangerous. In some areas, farmers face land insecurity and limited access to markets due to military blockades or rebel control.

 

Climate change adds another layer of complexity. Erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and prolonged dry spells threaten yields and quality, particularly for Arabica, which is sensitive to heat stress. Technical support and resilient seed varieties will be crucial to meet the government’s ambitious target.

 

Despite the odds, Myanmar’s coffee sector has shown promise in recent years, with smallholder farmers producing beans that have gained recognition abroad. The new plan, if realised, could help stabilise rural economies and position Myanmar as a niche player in the global coffee market—provided peace and climate resilience can be secured.

-2025-09-23

On 9/23/2025 at 9:34 AM, geovalin said:

position Myanmar as a niche player in the global coffee market

 

Not if Paraquat could be sprayed on the coffee saplings!

The Junta will then have big problems

 

Yes, paraquat is a non-selective contact herbicide and will kill coffee saplings if it touches their green foliage. It works by destroying the plant's green tissue on contact, leading to rapid wilting and desiccation. (Google)