Kantarawaddy Times
In Karenni State, due to the decrease in cultivable farmland area during 2026, food shortages and food crisis could occur in late 2026 and in 2027, according to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation of the Interim Executive Council (IEC).
Rising commodity prices, along with increasing costs of chemical agricultural inputs and fuel, have further reduced farmers’ cultivated areas.
“One thing is certain: ensuring food security will become a major challenge. It will be difficult. The amount produced domestically will no longer match the level of domestic consumption. As a department, we are trying to continuously cooperate with and support farmers as much as possible. We would also like to encourage farmers to keep cultivating whenever conditions allow,” said Khu Tu Reh, Director of the IEC’s Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation.
Khu Tu Reh added that farmers have reduced their use of chemical agricultural inputs, resulting in smaller cultivation areas. At the same time, insecurity in many areas has prevented farming, while even in relatively safe areas, many farmers lack the capital needed to continue cultivation. For this reason, he urged farmers to cultivate as much land as they can wherever conditions permit.
In Hpruso Township, local farmers say that although the planting season is approaching and preparations should already be underway, ongoing military operations by junta forces have prevented them from making preparations due to security concerns.
“I think we might still be able to do some farming. The military column hasn’t entered the village yet. They withdrew for now. But they may launch another offensive. We are still afraid of artillery and drone attacks,” said a male farmer from Hpruso Township.
The Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG) also reported on May 14 that during the 2025 farming season, many farmers suffered losses of rice and paddy crops because military columns entered farming areas, farmers were arrested during harvest season, and large numbers of cultivated acres were flooded. The group also stated that internally displaced people are facing food shortages and increasing debt.
Since the military coup, thousands of acres of farmland in the Moebye have also been flooded annually due to rising water levels from the Balu Creek. In addition, military offensives by junta troops have also forced farmers to flee during harvest seasons, causing continuous agricultural losses.
