By Kantarawaddy Times
The Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State has announced plans to support Karenni farmers with seed provisions as much as possible for the 2025 summer rice planting season, according to IEC General Secretary Khu Plu Reh.
“The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation is working on gathering various types of seeds to support farmers as much as possible. Additionally, we are preparing to produce Bokashi Organic fertilizers to sell at affordable prices,” said Khu Plu Reh.
He also mentioned that support will be provided to farmers in areas where it is safe to plant summer rice.
Karenni State is a primarily agricultural region where the majority of residents rely on farming for their livelihood. However, following the military coup, many locals have been forced to flee, restricting farming activities to only a few safe area
Khu Plu Reh added that due to the impact of Cyclone Ragi in September, tens of thousands of acres of cultivated crops were destroyed, which raised concerns about potential food shortages in the state. Therefore, it is necessary to re-establish farming in suitable areas to prevent food scarcity.
Currently, the price of agricultural fertilizers has also skyrocketed. A local woman farmer mentioned that there is still a need for affordable agricultural inputs and techniques to reduce production costs and improve crop yields.
“It would be helpful if training organizations could come and offer training to farmers. This would reduce costs for the local farmers and, I believe, also improve their yields and increase crop productivity,” she stated.
The townships of Loikaw, Dee Maw Hso, and Nang Mae Kone in Karenni State have the highest rice production. The IEC’s Department of Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction has developed a 2025 plan to enhance food security across the townships.
The IEC announced a 12-point plan aimed at increasing farmers’ crop productivity. Key initiatives include offering training in organic farming techniques, adding value to raw agricultural products, promoting sustainable cultivation technologies, creating market opportunities for crops, and designing efficient crop planting systems. The plan also encourages farmer participation in training programs to expand their agricultural knowledge and supports various other initiatives for sustainable agricultural development.
