CNI News

27 December 2024

If battles broke out in Ayeyarwady Region, the largest producer of rice, famine could surely occur, those who do business of agriculture and market advisors told CNI News. 

The Arakan Army (AA) was able to capture Ann Town and is waging battles against the Myanmar Tatmadaw to take over Gwa Town.

So, the AA could expand its war fronts from Ann to Magway Region as well as from Gwa to Ayeyarwady Region, pointed out military and political analysts. 

If battles spread to Ayeyarwady Region, it would not be easy for other agricultural regions to sufficiently distribute food to the entire country, said a farmer to CNI News.

While seeing Ayeyarwady Region

" Farmers in Sagaing Region are fleeing to safety due to the battles and they can't grow regularly. So, domestic food security is being threatened. If the battles spread to Ayeyarwady Region, the same situation will emerge. And then, It's more likely to experience famine if the battles from Rakhine State to Ayeyarwady Region, the largest producer of rice. Paddy is grown in Pyinmana, Tatkon and around them as well as Shwebo in Sagaing Region. Yangon and Bago Regions grow more pulses and so does Monywa." he said.

Farmers in Sagaing Region where agricultural industry is mainly conducted have not been able to grow for over three years due to territorial instabilities. 

So, the people have to depend mainly on the rice produced in Ayeyarwady Region. 

While seeing a rice warehouse

Although they said that there was enough reserve rice, it could not be eaten for many years, Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and business advisor, told CNI News.

" They always say they have enough reserve rice, according to the Myanmar Rice federation and officials concerned. But it can be eaten for a period of, I think, six months only. I heard not long ago that exporting rice is suspended and domestic food security will be given priority. This is likely because there is a need for rice reserves, I think. If the production of rice is no more, the people will get into trouble." he said.

Ayeyarwady Region produces 0.37 lakh baskets of rainfed paddy and over 13 lakh baskets of summer paddy from which over 4,000 lakh baskets of paddy are produced.