Chinese Invited To

Chinese Invited To "Grow Double Crop of Rice" In Shan State

According to a township official in eastern Shan State, the junta had agreed to invite Chinese agriculturists to begin a double rice crop project in the trans Salween areas.

SNA reported today (6 December) that he had learned from an officinal from Mongyawng District, Eastern Shan State that farmers in the district had been ordered to complete their rainy season harvest as soon as possible and to start prepare irrigation for a dry season crop for 4,000 acres.

400 baskets of rice seeds, of a new variety, had already been ordered from China and 80 "agriculturists" together with their families were expected to arrive in Mongyawng soon.

The produce according to the bilateral agreement, would be shared 50:50 between the two countries. "The Chinese will provide expertise and Burma, manpower", said the official.

The official, who requested anonymity, added:

"The local people are worried. For one thing, they feel sure they are in for forced labor for the duration of the project;

For another, they think most of the "agriculturists" shall continue to stay long after the project is over".

He cited an example in Mongyang Township up-north, where thousands of Chinese had settled for a number of years under a "tea plantation project".