‘I Love Myanmar’, an organization set up by Dr. Levi Sap Nei Thang, has been planting 40 thousand cherry trees on over 300 acres of land in Taing Ngin Village, Teddim Township during the last three years.

Dr. Levi Sap Nei Thang says it will become the largest cherry plantation in the world although that wasn’t the initial purpose of the project.

“I started the plantation in memory of my daughter, who was in eternal rest with Christ when I came to these villages. That is why I started the plantation work. But we are seeing the results slowly and now it is becoming the largest cherry plantation in the world and should be profitable,” said Dr. Levi.

Dr. Levi’s daughter died in Rangoon Civil Hospital while she was helping Cyclone Nargis victims in 2008.

A popular news journal reported that one world famous center for cherry trees is in Washington, USA with over 3,000 cherry plants. At present, there are cherry plantations in five only countries—America, Australia, Turkey, Canada, and Germany. The trees originally came from Japan.

Dr. Levi believes that the cherry trees will flower within 3 or 4 years and the huge orchard will attract not only domestic tourists but also foreigners. It should generate significant income from tourists. Native Chin cherries were used to seed the orchard.

“The USA’s cherry orchard attracts tourists. If our cherry trees bloom the will cover the whole mountain and the tourists will come here,” said Dr. Levi. Khonumthung news