Mawlamyine, June (8 )
Paddy farmers in Mon State are concerned about low yields because they did not apply enough fertilizer during the monsoon season.
Paddy farmers have been hit hard by the military coup as prices of commodities, including agricultural inputs and fertilizers, have skyrocketed in more than a year since the military coup.
The prices of fertilizer, an agricultural input, were roughly 20,000 – 30,000 kyats per bag before the coup, depending on the type, but following the coup, it climbed to 80,000 – 100,000 kyats per bag.
Farmers have told Than Lwin Times that they are concerned about reduced yields next season as a result of having to cut back on inputs due to rising general expenses.
Input prices continued to grow after the military coup, as Myanmar’s currency depreciated and transportation expenses increased.
Farmers had to pay farm workers daily wages of 5500–6000 kyats last year, which have now increased to 8000–10,000 kyats per day.
Due to rising labor costs and labor shortages, farmers cultivate rice by the direct seeding method rather than transplanting, said one farmer.
“The yields of broadcast seeding are not certain compared to transplanting. The yields of plantations that use the broadcast sowing method will reduce because the farmers cannot use enough fertilizer due to high prices, “one farmer said.
Monsoon paddy is planted in all ten townships of Mon State, with more than 600,000 acres cultivated anually.
Last year, monsoon paddy yields were lower due to natural disasters and, and the farmers suffered losses due to high input costs.
News – Than Lwin Times
Thanlwintimes