The Most Essential Oils in Myanmar’s Agriculture
Rice and grains form the backbone of Myanmar’s cuisine, making them the most vital crops in the country’s agricultural sector. Closely following are oil crops, which are indispensable in cooking and food preparation.
As Myanmar’s population grows, ensuring sufficient food supplies and fresh, nutritious cooking oil for daily consumption is a pressing challenge.
Myanmar is a prominent producer of oil crops, including peanuts, sunflowers, rice, and coconuts. These crops are cultivated extensively to meet domestic consumption needs and export demands.
Thanks to Myanmar’s tropical climate, regions such as the central region of Myanmar, and the Irrawaddy Delta are ideal for growing peanuts and sunflowers. In areas like Shan State, coconut oil is widely cultivated alongside peanuts, rice, sunflowers, and legumes.
After harvest, oil crops undergo cleaning, processing, and distribution in the market. Products such as peanut oil and sunflower oil are popular for their nutritional value and flavor. Peanut oil, in particular, is cherished in Myanmar households for its unique taste and versatile uses in cooking.
The foundation of quality peanut oil lies in agriculture, beginning with the cultivation of peanuts suited to Myanmar's tropical climate. To enhance oil concentration, farmers rely on high-quality seeds, fertile soil, and favorable weather conditions. Selective cultivation and modern agricultural techniques are employed to ensure high-quality harvests.
When peanut seeds are ready for harvest, they are collected, dried, and shelled. This process preserves quality and prevents deterioration during storage. Once the peanuts are cleaned, only the best kernels are selected to ensure superior oil production.
In Myanmar, there are two primary methods for extracting oil from peanuts:
- Cold Pressing (Traditional Method): Using a rotor mill, this method preserves the natural nutrients of the peanuts. Cold-pressing peanuts without heat extraction results in flavorful oil with healthful fats.
- Mechanical Pressing (Modern Method): This method uses heat and pressure to extract oil, which can slightly reduce nutrient levels but yields a larger quantity of oil. This approach is particularly beneficial for large-scale production.