Narinjara News, 13 January 2023

There are a number of freshwater streams andrivers across Rakhine State, but the spring rice isyet to be cultivated widely. 

The local farmers said that the government began various irrigationprojects with the river water for planting springrice seeds, but the farmers have not shown interestin it.

"We are interested in cultivating the springrice. But we don't have enough technological support.Moreover we don't have the capital either. The governmentis also not helping us. We understand that the springrice will be beneficial for us,” said a farmer.

Across the State, there are about 1.2 million acres ofrice field, where the rain rice is planted once a year. Butthe spring rice is yet to planted.

"We should plant rice seeds twice a year-oncein the rainy season and the other in the summer. In ourneighbouring Bangladesh, the rice is planted three times ayear. We should do it at least twice a year," he added.
On 7 January, the Kisapanadi river irrigation projectwas launched for planting the spring rice in Thawinkaingvillage-tract under Kyauk Taw township. The irrigation and water utilizationmanagement department (water resources) initiatesto start the operation.

However, it is reported that the farmers are lessinterested in planting the spring rice as they do not havethe technology as well as capital.

U Shwe Kyaw Hla, in-charge of KyaukTaw township department (for irrigationand water utilization management), said that thefarmers have to bear a number of expenditures (cultivation, harvesting andplowing). It would be better if the concerned department supports thefarmers.

“The departments have also announced thatthey would provide necessary support. We are actually workingtogether with them,” added Shwe Kyaw Hla.

Last year, the spring rice was cultivatedonly in 50 acres of land in Kyauk Taw township, where the other araes didnot witness the specific farming.
Several electric river water supply projects arein operation for helping the farmers to cultivate the springrice in the upper areas of Kalatan, Laymyo and Mayu rivers.

All RakhineFarmers’ Union president U Kyaw Zan said, "The yield of rainfedrice cultivation has been decreasing every year. The lackof rain during the planting season has negatively impacted riceproduction. So, the spring rice should bea good option. The international community (including theUnited Nations) should support the initiative.”

 He insisted that the Rakhine farmers desperately need themodern technology and financial support to make the spring paddy cultivation asuccessful venture.