Shifting from tradition: a Burmese farmer’s strategy for better tomato yields
Myanmar
January 15, 2026
Zaw Myo Htut, a farmer from the Inlay region of Myanmar, came from a family of farmers.
“We started growing vegetables with our parents when we were young. My parents supported my education through this work, ” Zaw recalls.
In 1993, after graduating from high school, he took over their family’s farming business. They grow a variety of vegetables but a large portion of their farmland is dedicated to tomatoes. With an experimental and innovative mindset, he has consistently sought out ways to improve his farming techniques instead of relying solely on traditional practices.
One of his most significant experiments involved changing the planting density of his tomatoes. “The majority of the Inle Lake tomato farmers grow one to three plants per hole,” he notes.
Driven by his desire to improve their yield and income, Zaw decided to test different methods to see what would yield the best results. After three years of careful observation and data collection, he found that planting one tomato plant per hole using East-West Seed’s hybrid tomato variety, “Princess”, led to better outcomes.
“In my observation, planting only “Princess” tomato per hole helped the plants get good ventilation, reduced our fertilizer costs, and had higher yields and longer cropping period. The life expectancy of the plants improved, too. That’s why I advise farmers in our area to try these improved farming practices,” shared Zaw.
For Zaw, the willingness to experiment has been key to overcoming the challenges faced by farmers today, such as rising input costs and pest issues. “By practicing this method, we’ve been able to overcome these problems,” Zaw shares.
Zaw’s approach is simple: always be ready to test new methods and adapt to changing conditions. His advice to fellow farmers: don’t be afraid to move away from traditional practices and experiment with new techniques. By doing so, Zaw believes that every farmer can find more effective ways to overcome farming challenges and improve their productivity and income.
“The happiest time for a farmer is getting the best price, the best produce, and the longest life expectancy of the crops,” he says with a smile as he reflects on his farming journey. Looking to the future, he believes that by continuing to refine his farming practices, he will achieve even greater success in the years to come.
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