By Jar Seng / MPA
In Rakhine State, due to the ongoing clashes between the military junta and the Arakha Army (AA), local residents have experienced hardships with heavy rainfall which resulted in severe flooding. Subsequently, farmers are incurring losses in their agricultural activities.
Since mid-July, heavy rainfall has caused flooding in both southern parts of Rakhine State: Thandwe, Taungup, Gaw and northern parts: Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Kyauktaw townships with more than 3,000 local people having relocated to safer places.
The flooding has destroyed crops, with many farmlands submerged.
A farmer from Mrauk-U Township stated, “This year, due to the impacts of conflict and natural disasters, we have to plant our crops despite knowing we will incur losses. During the rainy season, there are no other jobs, so we have no choice but to farm even if it means a loss.”
Since the resumed Operation 1027 of the Northern Brotherhood Alliance, which includes AA, on November 13, 2023, the military junta has imposed blockades and other restrictions in Rakhine State, leading to price rises and ongoing hardships for the local population, including farmers.
“Our family owns eight acres of farmlands, but this year we could only plant on about three acres. Even that is being done at a loss. Some farmers with one or two acres are not planting at all because there is no profit,” a local from Kyuaktaw mentioned.
In Rakhine State, before the conflict, a bag of fertilizer cost around 80,000 kyats, but the price has now soared to over 550,000 kyats, and it is difficult to find sellers, which further burdens the farmers.
Another farmer expressed, “It hasn’t been long since we broadcasted the paddy seeds. Pest infestations have destroyed crops with fertilizers unaffordable, and now the floods have ruined everything. We don’t know how we will replant.”
The floods have destroyed many farmers’ crops, and they are now purchasing seeds on credit to replant, according to local sources.
Currently, the price for a hundred baskets of seeds, a basket containing fifty cans, is around 600,000 kyats, making it difficult for farmers who lack financial resources.
Local humanitarian and development groups, under the AA’s humanitarian wing, have been reportedly providing food assistance to flood victims in Rakhine State.
Since late June, the upper regions of Myanmar have suffered severe flooding. Although the water flowing from these upper regions has resulted in serious flooding across the country from early July till now, the military junta has not yet provided sufficient aid to the flood-affected population.
