Concern over emerging shortage as mainland’s demand for Rakhine rice increases

Narinjara News, 18February 2023

People of Rakhine State fear a rice shortage in the coming rainy days, as their rice 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 to Bangladesh despite there being lower  production of rice in Rakhine. The rice grains are being bought for the World Food Program. Moreover, the decrease of rice production in Bama proper is also reported,” he added.

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

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

In 2022, the rice cultivating season faced drought, strong wind unleashed by cyclone Sitrang and flooding of paddy fields with salt water from the sea, which decreased the rice production in Rakhine localities.

An official of Arakan Farmer’s Union, while talking to Narinjara news, opined that every concerned individual should keep a watch over the export of Rakhine rice as the State itself witnessed lesser productions.

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

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

Moreover, if the armed clashes resurface and roads are closed, the rice will become scarce in Rakhine, he pointed out.

During the harvesting period, Paw-San-Mhway rice is usually priced in between Kyats 50,000 and 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 Kyats 45000, but presently it is priced at Kyats 65,000 per bag.

Rakhine State has around 850,000 acres of farmland which can be used for rice cultivation, but only 600,000 acres are being used for the purpose.

The bad weather and political crisis destroyed 200,000 acres of farmland which has affected the total rice production volume significantly.

The Arakan Farmer’s Union appeals to the farmers, rice traders and businessmen to stop selling it to the mainland. U Myint Oo, vice president of the union, said that the Rakhine farmers had planted in a sufficient volume amidst the crisis of political instability, increased price of fertilizer and fuel items, etc.

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

Due to the recent increase in prices of Rakhine rice grains, not only the poor families, but also the government employees faced difficulties in surviving.