By Kantarawaddy Times
Farmers in Karenni State have voiced the need for additional agricultural support after the Interim Executive Council (IEC) and civil society organizations (CSOs) set the prices for locally produced rice and paddy. While the prices have been regulated, farmers are calling for the necessary support to be provided for the next planting season.
“With the current price setting, we farmers are bearing significant losses due to the high costs we’ve already incurred. If we’re expected to continue farming next year, we’ll need subsidies for fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential supplies. It would be helpful if they could negotiate prices and distribute those resources accordingly,” said a rice farmer.
It has been almost a year since the rice and paddy prices were first set. Currently, in the eastern part of Dee Maw Hso Township, rice is sold at 3,300 Kyat per basket, while paddy is priced between 1,600 and 1,700 Kyat per basket.
Although no direct support has been provided to farmers following the price regulation, IEC’s Secretary-General Khu Plu Reh has indicated that long-term efforts are planned.
“In the future, we intend to provide the necessary support and technical expertise to farmers, particularly focusing on those engaged in agriculture. We will implement these plans step by step,” said Secretary-General Khu Plu Reh.
IEC has also stated that in order to maintain food security within the state, the price of paddy is reviewed and adjusted every two months to ensure there is no significant gap between the market price and the set price.
However, as domestic demand has decreased and farmers are facing losses, negotiations have become necessary, Khu Plu Reh added.
“We are currently in the process of negotiating. The main goal is to set prices as close to the market value as possible, so buyers and sellers can trade at fair rates,” said Khu Plu Reh.
The IEC’s Department of Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction, in collaboration with CSOs, is currently purchasing locally produced rice and paddy. Although the current price regulation only applies to rice and paddy to ensure food security, the IEC also plans to begin purchasing other local crops, such as sesame and corn, in the near future.
