By Yaw Dar (Newsland)
Following the launch of Operation 1111 by Karenni Resistance forces, residents in and around Loikaw, previously controlled by resistance forces, had resumed agricultural activities. However, the military’s recent advance into Loikaw in early July has forced these farmers to abandon their rice fields.
Farmers states that while it’s now the time for rice transplanting and applying fertilizer in their farmland, they are unable to return to their fields due to fear of conflict. A resident of Loikaw expressed concern about the rice fields being damaged and the inability to harvest them.
“Since planting on July 15, it has now been a month and a half. We planted nearly two acres of rice, while some planted up to three acres. We had no other option, as there is no land available for cultivation elsewhere. As IDPs, most families struggled to make ends meet and were competing to do agricultural work in the areas where they had taken refuge. Our families had no available farmland in the IDP camp. Therefore, we began to use our own farmland in the village,” said Ko-Rocky.
Ko. Rocky emphasized that most Karenni IDPs face food insecurity and lack access to farmland, as the areas they fled to are already being used by other IDPs or residents. As a result, they took the risk of returning to replant rice in their farmland in the village where revolutionary groups controlled the area.
However, since early July, when the military council started advancing and reinforcing their troops, retaking most areas in Loikaw, residents who had planted rice are now worried about their safety going to work in their farmlands and are facing difficulties.
“We have to carefully check the paddy field before entering to see if there are people around. We only dare to go to the farmland if there are a few people working there. Usually, we check our farmlands in the morning. However, we can’t stay for too long. The military’s 5th point could start shelling at any time if they spot us. There are drones overhead, like butterflies. We are concerned that if we don’t check the rice fields, there will be no productive crop. However, going there also puts us in danger,” said one farmer.
A bag of rice currently costs almost 100,000 Kyats in Karenni. With decreased aid coming to IDP camps, many people are struggling for their family’s livelihood.
“A bag of rice is nearly one hundred thousand Kyats now. Aid groups are rarely coming, and we, with young children, are worse off. Food security is the biggest concern, and hope is fading,” said a Loikaw IDP.
During the time when revolutionary groups controlled most areas in Loikaw, over a hundred acres of rice were planted in areas like the entrance of Loikaw-Dee Maw Hso town and some areas west of Daw U Khu.
