NarinjaraNews, 18February2023

People of Rakhine State fear a rice shortage in thecoming rainy days, as theirrice grains attract high values from the buyers in mainland Myanmar.

It is reported that the rice production in the mainland,where most of the Bamar live,declines. So the demand for rice grains of Rakhine may visibly increase, said a Rakhine rice trader.

“Lately,  2500 tons of rice were sold toBangladesh despite there beinglower  production of rice inRakhine. The rice grains are being bought for the World Food Program. Moreover, the decrease of rice production in Bama proper is also reported,” headded.

So the rice export shouldbe controlled, otherwise the Rakhine people will face the shortageof rice during the rainy season. It will create more troubles for over 200,000refugees of Rakhine State, he cautioned.

“This year, the rice production in Rakhine hasalso decreased by 50 percent. So ifthe rice is exported at the same rate as it was last year, it would enhancethe possibility of famine in the region. The shortage will put the internally displaced people inmore trouble. The price ofrice may go up to Kyats 100,000 per bag,” asserted the trader.

In 2022, the rice cultivatingseason faced drought, strong windunleashed by cyclone Sitrang and flooding of paddy fieldswith salt water from thesea, which decreased the rice production in Rakhine localities.

An official of Arakan Farmer’s Union, whiletalking to Narinjara news, opinedthat every concerned individual should keep a watch over the export of Rakhine rice as the Stateitself witnessed lesser productions.

“Due to both the drought and Sitrang, the riceproduction was decreased inRakhine State. If the other regions continue buying rice grains from Rakhine, theState may also face difficulties. By the rainydays in August and September, Paw-San-Mhway rice may be sold at Kyats 100,000 per bag,” addedthe official.

He also stated that the people of Rakhine should beaware of the development.If the rice export is allowed with no controlling measure, the essentialfood items will be scarce. It may create a certain degrees ofunrest. In the past, it happened when Rakhine rice
grains were sent to the mainland as wellas Ayeyarwady region.

Moreover, if the armed clashes resurface and roadsare closed, the rice willbecome scarce in Rakhine, he pointed out.

During the harvesting period, Paw-San-Mhway rice isusually priced in between Kyats 50,000and 60,000 per bag. Now it is sold at around Kyats 70,000 to 80,000 in each bag.

A bag of Sri Don (San Chay) rice used to be sold at Kyats45000, but presently it is pricedat Kyats 65,000 per bag.

Rakhine State has around 850,000 acres offarmland which can be usedfor rice cultivation, but only 600,000 acres are beingused for the purpose.

The bad weather and political crisis destroyed200,000 acres of farmland whichhas affected the total rice production volume significantly.

The Arakan Farmer’s Union appeals to the farmers, ricetraders and businessmento stop selling it to the mainland. U Myint Oo, vice president of the union, saidthat the Rakhine farmers had planted in a sufficient volume amidst the crisis ofpolitical instability, increasedprice of fertilizer and fuel items, etc.

“The price of rice is slowly increasing and theRakhine farmers may feel happy.But they should also think of Rakhine people. This year the production has gone down by 50 percent and hencewe appeal to the Rakhine farmersto preserve rice grains as much as possible,” he
added.

Due to the recent increasein prices of Rakhine rice grains, not only the poor families, but alsothe government employees faced difficultiesin surviving.