Kantarawaddy Times
Farmers who depend on machinery for their agricultural work are facing difficulties in plowing and planting because of the rising prices of fuel. In recent days, fuel prices have climbed up due to the closure of trade routes leading into Dee Maw Hso, Karenni State.
“If we miss the time to plow, the planting season will be delayed. And if it’s delayed, there can be many consequences like the crops might fail or yields could decrease,” said a local farmer from Dee Maw Hso Township.
Before the Taungoo–Dee Maw Hso road was closed, the retail price of fuel was around 800,000 MMK per barrel metal. Currently, it has increased to around 1.3 million MMK per barrel. A man who runs a fuel shop on the western Dee Maw Hso noted that some fuel stations had to close temporarily due to shortages.
“At first, the prices were reasonable. We could still buy with around 790,000 per barrel metal. But after the Taungoo road was blocked, prices climbed to 850,000 and 900,000 respectively. Later, larger vehicles from the Yay Ni area stopped delivering. And then, since only smaller Four-Wheel vehicles could deliver, the price jumped to 1.05 million MMK per barrel. People said they will repair the road and have to close for four to five days. That is also the reason prices have reached between 1.1 and 1.3 million MMK. I’ve stopped selling now. Fuel is hard to get, and the prices are just too high,” he said.
With the planting season ongoing, farmers are worried that delays due to fuel shortages could lead to failed crops and lower yields.
Since the usual trade routes into Dee Maw Hso are closed, some drivers are still able to transport fuel from areas under Myanmar military control. However, there are some security risks they might have to consider.
Besides the military’s checkpoints, there are also heavily guarded security outpost. Some fuel transporters even experienced gun fire, according to a local in Dee Maw Hso.
“Some of the cars and motorcycles transporting fuel have been shot at, so it’s getting harder for us to move fuel around,” a resident said.
Currently, only one in ten farm plots in the eastern part of Dee Maw Hso Township has been cultivated. If the fuel shortage continues, farmers may miss the planting and there will be many bad consequences for farmers, a village administrator in eastern Demoso warned.
“If the fuel shortage keeps going on like this, it’s going to be very challenging for us farmers. Why? Because we need fuel for both farming and transportation. In our area, only one in ten farms might be able to cultivate,” he said.
In Karenni, only a small number of farmers in rural areas still use buffaloes and cattle for farming. Most now rely on machinery. With skyrocketing fuel prices and difficulties purchasing fuel, many are now struggling to continue their farming activities.
