Labutta District to achieve record salt production

Labutta District, the largest salt producing region in Ayeyawady Division, is a four-hour drive from Myaungmya.The riverside town is now enjoying commercial growth. In the mornings,the areas along the bank of the Ywe River are hustle and bustle with trade activities.One and a half hours after our departure by boat along the Ywe River,we got to the Thetkethaung River,which was found serene thanks to fine weather.From the river, we saw arrangements to restore sun-baked salt farms and reconstruction of houses in Gant Eik and Kapyo villages, and fishermen at work in the river.About two hours later, we arrived at Hsincheya Hsaphosu Village of Hsincheya Village-tract.In an interview, U Hla Thaung told the Kyemon Daily, “I am 70.I have run salt farms for 50 years. I have 250 acres of salt farms. The sunbaked salt farm over there is mine. Salt farms were damaged a lot in the storm “Nargis”, but we could restore them soon after the natural disaster. I thank the government for the assistance to fulfil all requirements of salt farmers. I would say, in this regard, it showed great loving-kindness and compassion to us. We expect to boost per acre yield of sun-baked salt this year.“It is because the government provided assistance not only to large but also to small salt farms.“Now, all salt farmers are happy with it. They are active in their work.The process has several stages, and it needs huge investments. A salt farmer can make a good profit if he respects his business and works hard.“As you see, in the first stage, we have to do groundwork with the use of tractors. Now, workers are preparing the route for tractors.“I think now you know the processes of a salt farm in general. I am sure the salt farming of our whole district will prove successful this season.”U Hla Thaung was still hale and hearty at 70.He jumped onto a tractor and drove it for a demonstration.Deputy Head of Township General A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Department U Soe Myint Hlaing said, “Labutta District brings honour to Ayeyawady Division.Surely, it will hit a record production of salt because workers are working hard under the supervision of their employers. We are repairing the buildings for the workers to stay. District and township associations are also providing assistance for development of the salt farming”.We also visited Kwinyah Village, one of the largest salt producing villages. There we found workers at work in the 100.9-acre salt farm of Daw Kyin Than. The large salt farm has three parts:rough field, middle field and final field. The first two fields have three stages each. Sun-baked salt can be produced when the concentration of salt in the seawater stands at 25 degree.The produced crude salt is kept beside the warehouse for a night to let all the seawater in the salt drain off, and then it is stored in the warehouse.Groundwork for sunbaked salt is carried out from October to December, and sun-baked salt is produced from January to April.I was surprised with the scene that a tractor was being operated for
groundwork in a salt farm.“Are you surprised, sir? It is the one-blade tractor we use for groundwork. It makes more progress than cattle and it saves time.Using it, we can do groundwork for two acres a day.”He also explained,“Labutta District has nine salt farming blocks. They are Mangyeebin,Thingangon, Thetkethaung,Mekhale,Hsincheya, Pyinsalu,Ywethingangyi, Hsagyin, Kyauktangyi and Kyauktanlay. Now 771 workers work for 27,279.68 acres of salt farms. Salt production is expected to meet at least more than 300,000 tons this year. In the rainy season in June and July, we grow paddy that is resistant to seawater in the salt farms of the first and second type fields. The paddy yield per acre is from 35 to 40 baskekts. Salt farming is economically rewarding.“Moreover, pregnant female tiger prawns get to the first and second stage fields of the rough fields along with the seawater in the rainy season, and lay their eggs there. We have to close the gates of the dykes in order that the eggs and the prawns cannot return to the sea. It is a type of seawater prawn breeding. Salt farmers make substantial profits from the farms.”After the trip, I became confident that Labutta District would produce salt more than ever.