Thick forests and mountains are characteristic of Chin State where plains are barely seen as mountains stretch from north to south separated by valleys and gorges. Mt.Victoria or Mt Kawnuswan is the well-known mountain of Chin State and the highest mountain peak reaches 10200 feet. Chin State is teeming with rivers and creeks and Manipura Rivers flows through the state in the north.

The artist of nature has painted picturesquely of Chin State which is often known as the land of tea leaves when the endless view of green tea plantation lends eye-pleasing pleasure to the scenic sketches of the state.

Strawberry, another seasonal fruit is seen in plantations on the land of Mindat in the south of Chin State and is now under commercial-scale plantation.

Called by Myanmar people as Shan fruit, it grows in moderate zone, and in hilly regions of tropical zone. Strawberry was first discovered in Chile and Europe, but it was said to have a lot of seeds and taste bad, attracting no interest of human for consumption.

Later, two new kinds of wild strawberry were found in America. Both of them were much like the one from the Europe. The strawberries of today are the offspring of the parent strawberries of Europe and America.

Strawberry in Myanmar dates back to thirty years when its strains were imported from India and grown in Shan hilly regions. On the hills as tall as 3000 feet around PyinOoLwin, Kalaw and Taunggyi now are the plantations of strawberry also know as Shan fruit. Strawberry plant is of creeper which usually needs the help of hay during fruit-bearing period for the cleanliness of its fruits.

Fascinated by bright red strawberries, I went to Panaw Village in Mindat Township to interview U Hmarn Hon who runs Hniyeikhma organic strawberry farm.

He said: “The strawberry grown here is called locally as Hniyeikhma. It means sunsetting place in Myanmar. The strains are imported and strawberry is grown organic here. Strawberry is usually grown in July, the fruits start to ripe in November and the sale usually goes up to mid June. It earns more than farming. The soil has to be nourished with cow dung and dried before growing strawberry and weeds have to be killed twice year. Otherwise, the fruits will grow smaller. Strawberries are transported to Mindat, Kyaukhtu, Htilin, and Gangaw. The business can generate more incomes if able to be combined with high-value produce production technologies.

Red strawberries arouse one’s appetite. It is delicious and nourishing, enriched with Vitamin C which contributes health and immune system. It is also the source of manganese, folic acid, potassium, Vitamin B-2, B-6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acid.

Strawberries plucked in April and May are of best for consumption. Hope you enjoy Vitamin-C-enriched strawberries in hot summer.