Farmers caught in the crossfire

Human Rights

Farmers caught in the crossfire

Reporter: Pegasus

Paddy farmers in Kengtung, 160 km north of Tachilek, say they problems are being compounded by the official directive not only to keep their monsoon harvest under wraps until the official quota is fulfilled but also by another directive saying they have to grow the dry season paddy, according to sources coming to the border.

"There would have been no problem at all had they (rice traders association) come up with the money," said a businessman. "But the problem is they are only buying when they receive funds from Rangoon. And the government has yet to transfer them the total sum needed."

According to S.H.A.N. report on 10 December, the Kengtung township rice traders association, headed by Sai Kyaw Oo, is required to purchase 100,000 baskets at the price of 4,500 kyat per basket. Farmers are forbidden to sell their harvest outside their communities until they have filled the official quota.

"Doing the dry season paddy doesn't come cheap," another source continued. "Farmers need funds. So they are being forced to borrow. Some of them who ventured to sell their monsoon paddy in order to prepare their dry season paddy got their consignments seized by the association."