CNI News

11 August 2022

Gen. N’Ban La, the chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization warned of rice shortages as rice farming was disrupted by armed conflicts in Central Myanmar, urging the people to exert efforts for cultivation of rice and other crops.

He issued the warning while addressing the 47th Anniversary of the Kachin Martyrs’ Day held in KIO/KIA headquarters in Laiza on 10th August.

Gen. N’Ban La said, “As farming could not be carried out as effectively as previous years in war-torn Central Myanmar, the country might face hungers in upcoming years. So, I want to seriously urge local people to grow rice and other crops in their villages. It is also important to save rice and other foodstuffs.”

The chairman made his speech in Kachin language and some excerpts were translated into Burmese and published by Simsa Kasa Multimedia.

KIA Chief of Staff Gen. Gwan Maw. (Simsa Kasa Multimedia)

Fighting has broken out between the junta troops and the alliance of local PDFs and ethnic armed organizations in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Chin State, Karen State and Kayah State in Myanmar.

Paddy yields have fallen due to the disruption of farming activities. Although there are no clashes in Rakhine State and Ayeyarwady Region, total acreage of paddy cultivation has decreased due to high costs of inputs like fertilizers, fuel oil and pesticides as well as lack of agricultural water supply and yields are likely to drop, according to farmers.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said at the meeting held from 8th to 10th August that the government would invest MMK 400 billion to fulfil fertilizer, pesticide, fuel oil and water needs to boost crop yields and streamline agricultural activities.