Interview
Border News Agency
Mrauk-U, August 8.
Rakhine farmers are facing numerous difficulties and challenges, including the inability to sell their rice. They are also dealing with long-term sustainability concerns.
A Rakhine farmer was interviewed by Border News Agency regarding the situation.
“The main thing is that proper rice markets must be established. Rice prices must be raised accordingly to match time, season, and region. Only then will farmers be able to continue cultivating. Right now, even if a basket of rice sells for 20,000 kyats, a single snack costs 1,500 to 2,000 kyats. One person can easily spend around 3,000 kyats just for breakfast.”
“For farmers, rice and paddy are their main sources of income. But the prices they get from selling those don’t match the prices of other goods at all. And that’s just talking about the cost of snacks alone.”
“Fish prices…even for a thike (1.8kg apptoximately) of low-quality catfish, if it weighs around forty kyat-thar, it costs around 10,000 kyats. The lowest grade starts at 10,000 kyats, sometimes 15,000 kyats—it varies. So, farmers can’t keep up with the prices of goods using what they earn from selling their own produce. The price of rice needs to be adjusted to match the rising cost of living.”
“Only then will farmers be able to cultivate rice properly. The supplies they receive are not from the Arakan People’s Government but from other NGOs that provide seeds.”
“However, what they provide is not effective. By ‘not effective,’ it means the aid does not meet the actual needs of the farmers.”
“They provide farmers with seeds. However, the seeds they give are not suitable. The supplies are also insufficient. Since the seeds are given after the rice has already been planted, the farmers do not receive the seeds in time.”
“Rather than just giving seeds, what farmers really need to solve their difficulties is either money or fertilizer. If they could provide those, it would be better. However, what they provide is not effective.”
“The Arakan People’s Government does offer fertilizers at low prices, but it’s not as much as expected. It’s not really cheap either. What they provide doesn’t meet expectations, and the prices are still not affordable enough for the farmers.”
“I have been farming for about seven or eight years since I got married. The previous years of farming were not very smooth or easy.”
“However, it hasn’t reached the point of heavy losses. Later on, farming became difficult, so I stopped farming. It has been two years now since I stopped—last year and this year. I have about 35 acres of farmland, but I no longer farm it. If I farm, I will face losses. I only choose to do things that are more manageable and will bring better results, to support my family’s living.”
“What I want to say about farming is that a proper market must be established for farmers so they can work effectively. Instead of just providing cattle for plowing, they should provide farming machinery like tractors. Whether by helping farmers buy tractors or by offering rental tractors for those who cannot afford to buy them, that’s the kind of support they need.”
“Also, the government should make fertilizers easily accessible and affordable for farmers. Only then will farmers be encouraged to cultivate rice. Otherwise, it will be difficult for them to plant next year as well.”
“Growing rice is also related to the fact that our area is close to the sea, which results in low rice yields. In regions where the conditions are better, farmers will still cultivate rice. However, the labor costs are low, and the prices farmers receive for their rice are not sufficient. If fertilizer costs remain high like this, food security will weaken in the future.”
