Kantarawaddy Times
Despite it being watermelon planting season, farmers in the western part of Dee Maw Hso Township have been unable to plant their crops due to lingering floodwaters caused by heavy rains last September, according to local reports.
The residents of 4-Mile Myi Ni Kone and nearby villages in the western part of Dee Maw Hso Township typically engage in seasonal crop cultivation. However, a farmer explained that not only are the fields still waterlogged, but the price of essential materials like plastic mulch (rain covers) has also risen sharply.
“We usually plant watermelons in November, but this year, we can’t. The fields are too flooded to grow anything. Even if the water recedes, the costs of seeds and plastic mulch have increased so much that we can’t afford to plant,” a farmer said.
Last year, a roll of plastic mulch cost 60,000 kyats, but this year, the price has surged to 107,000 kyats, according to farmers.
In western Dee Maw Hso, around 15 villages grow watermelons, with the largest watermelon-producing villages being 4-Mile Myi Ni Kone, See Ki MeeToe, and Loi Nan Pha. While farmers in See Ki Mee Toe are unable to start planting due to ongoing flooding, those in Loi Nan Pha village have already begun cultivation.
Despite their reliance on watermelon farming for livelihoods, many families are scaling back their production due to high costs. A farmer from Loi Nan Pha explained the impact:
“This year, even families that usually use five rolls of plastic mulch can only afford two. Families that normally use three rolls can now manage only one due to the high price of plastic mulch. This has made our lives much more difficult,” he said.
It is reported that one roll of plastic mulch can yield approximately 1,000 watermelons.
In 4-Mile Myi Ni Kone and surrounding villages, there are over 30 acres of farmland. Previously, local residents were the primary watermelon farmers, but in recent years, IDPs have also begun growing watermelons to sustain their livelihoods.
Farmers predict that the shortage of watermelon cultivation this year could drive up watermelon prices in the market.
