Embassy of Japan in Myanmar

New Buckwheat products introduced

Japanese Government and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) have assisted villagers for buckwheat cultivation as a substitute for poppy in the Kokang area of the Northern Shan State . A Myanmar company - Mandalay Shwe Yi Distilleries, has produced Kokang buckwheat liquor and put on the market since last year. Two new products have been recently introduced: Buckwheat Liquor with 36% and Buckwheat Whisky with 43% alcohol content, both stronger than the previous one. New buckwheat liquor and buckwheat whisky will be available for sale in the middle and end of September respectively at the supermarkets and liquor shops in Yangon and Mandalay .

Japanese Embassy will assist the eradication of poppy and reduction of poverty in the area as ever.

Buckwheat Liquor (left),
Buckwheat Whisky (right)

Manufacturer

Mandalay Shwe Yi Distilleries Co. Ltd.

Website: www.shweyi.com

Email: shweyi-hq@myanmar.com.mm

( Yangon )

H-64 Ar Thaw Ka St. , Bayintnaung Warehouses, Mayangone Township , Yangon

Tel: (Office) 01-680560,681223,682467 (Factory) 01-4410286

( Mandalay )

Myat Saw Nyi Naung Pagoda St. , Corner of Yuzana St .,

Bet.(23x24)&(88x89) St. , Aung Myay Thar San Township, Mandalay

Tel: (Office) 02-27542, 32429,64682 (Factory) 01-4481125

Public awareness program on avian influenza

In the fight against avian influenza, Japan helps Myanmar through UNICEF.

The Government of Japan has decided to donate about US$49 million to UNICEF to help reventing the spread of avian influenza in 15 countries. In Myanmar alone, the amount of US$2.1 million will be distributed. The fund will be used for procurement of hygiene and sanitation supplies such as disinfectants and soap. The contribution will also develop public awareness programs. Japanese cooperation will be enable people especially children in Myanmar to reduce the high risk of the H5N1 avian influenza virus infection.

Buckwheat Cultivation under the cooperation of the Japanese Government & JICA

The soil of the border area in the northern part of Myanmar including the so-called “Golden Triangle” lacks fertile. Poppy is one of a few plants which could grow in such infertile area, so that people in the area have cultivated it for many years. Opium, an illicit drug, can be extracted from poppy seeds and the drug problem has been a big problem in the country. The government of Myanmar has been tackling the issue through a 15-year plan since 1999, with the support of international community including Japan . It has accomplished great results. Especially in the Kokang area of the northern Shan state, people have almost completely stopped cultivating poppy, and instead, begun cultivating buckwheat as a cash crop, under the cooperation program of the Japanese government and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

In Myanmar, people originally have neither the experience in cultivating buckwheat nor the practice to consume it. But Myanmar companies have started manufacturing buckwheat products, such as buckwheat biscuits, noodle, and liquor. The people in Myanmar have just learned to enjoy consuming buckwheat products. The Embassy of Japan hopes that the buckwheat products will become a success in Myanmar.