Myanma Toddy Palm: A Source of Rural Income

Toddy palms can be found throughout Myanmar except in the highlands. Groves after groves of toddy palms can be seen many from 50,000 to 100,000 in a stretch. Toddy juice is produced from the palm for drinking and making palm sugar or jaggery purposes. However, in central Myanmar, it is very important for rural economy. Toddy palm is very useful because over 80 million kilos of Jaggery is produced every season. The toddy juice and fruit can be consumed in various ways. The juice or milk can be consumed as sweet drink, fermented toddy drink or made into jaggery.

Seasonally the toddy palm forms a cluster of fruit stalks that are sapped for juice. Once the sapping of the fruit-stalk is begun, it must be done daily. An earthen pot is used as container to store the juice. Toddy palm worker has to climb the palm twice daily to collect two to three pots of juice. By using a 20 feet long ladder, a toddy palm worker can climb 25 to 50 palms daily. A palm yields about two to three pots full daily and the juice is mainly processed for jaggery. Therefore, toddy palm is an important source of income for some of the rural populace in Myanmar.