Farmers forced to grow dry season rice

DVB, February 5

While the price of paddy/rice is plunging and the sale stagnating in Burma, Burmese farmers are being forced to grow dry season paddy by the country’s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

Farmers from lower Burma especially the delta region have been threatened by their local authorities with arrest and confiscation of their lands if they didn’t obey the order.

A farmer from Kyonpyaw Township told DVB that the government only provide inefficient amount of fertiliser and fuel need for planting rice. He added that farmers also have to buy extra seedlings, fuel and fertilisers.

Modern day Burmese farmers under the rule of their own government are faring worse than their ancestors under the foreign British rule, complained the farmer.