The transport cost for commodities from Shan State to Yangon Region has increased more than double amid the coronavirus crisis, said U Kyaw Thu, secretary of the Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producer and Exporter Association (MFVP). At present, the truck fare rates remarkably soar to K1.6 million from the previous rate of K600,000-650,000, he […]
Mandalay farmers lack pesticide safety knowledge
July 24, 2020 by
Most farmers in Mandalay Region do not know how to safely use pesticides and are unaware of the health and environmental dangers they pose, according to a study by a private research group.U Than Myat Soe, chief executive officer of the Kanaung Institute, said that although most farmers in the region use pesticides, most know […]
Understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on rural smallholder farmers and food systems in the Ayeyarwady Delta
June 22, 2020 by
Introduction: The COVID-19 Pandemic is jeopardizing economies, healthcare, and food systems throughout Myanmar. Although the health effects will certainly be felt very strongly, it is expected that the negative economic impact on the most vulnerable will be much greater in scope and duration. While it is not possible to fully grasp the geographic reach and […]
Govt to create agri and rural jobs to support farmers under CERP
May 19, 2020 by
Jobs in agriculture and construction will be made available to the unemployed under the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) announced on May 13. “Jobs will be provided by the Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development Department under a Cash for Work program for the grassroots to earn some […]
Food security concerns mount as COVID-19 disruption leaves Myanmar farmers unable to plant
May 11, 2020 by
Food security concerns in Myanmar are looming as farmers are unable to start the new growing season due to COVID-19 disruptions. “Since COVID-19, there is no longer usual trading as crops simply don’t sell anymore,” said Ba Myint, a farmer in Taungup township in southern Rakhine State, where the primary crops are rice and beans. […]
Mandalay fish, chicken farmers cry foul over food safety ‘misinformation’
March 4, 2020 by
Operators of integrated fish-chicken farms in Mandalay Region have denied accusations that their products pose a health risk to consumers. The farmers, who raise chickens above fish ponds, accused fish-feed manufacturers of spreading what they described as false information that fish fed with chicken manure carry disease and are unsafe to eat. U Nay Thurein, […]
Good understanding of rules key to contract farming success
February 10, 2020 by
To promote cooperation between farmers and companies involved in the value chain of the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation on 31 January announced rules for contract farming. Contract farming is a system under which companies provide farmers technology and seeds to grow crops and once they are harvested, the companies sell […]
Government plans to merge state-run banks to facilitate more lending
January 27, 2020 by
A senior official has announced that four government-owned banks that have similar business scopes will be merged in order to help provide more loans for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), and farmers. Union Minister of Planning, Finance and Industry U Soe Win revealed this during a workshop on financial support MSMEs in Nay Pyi […]
A modern, greener solution for farmers
January 21, 2020 by
When brown lesions and spots started showing up on their crops and spreading across acres of rice fields in Dedaye township, Ayeyarwady Region, back in 2014, farmers thought it was a pest or insect attack and doused the crops with pesticide. “Some farmers used large quantities of the most potent pesticides they could find in […]
Water a worry for Myanmar’s farmers
January 20, 2020 by
Myanmar’s rice growers are increasingly concerned about the amount of water in the country available for the irrigation of their crops, industry insiders say. And their worries are not exactly without foundation. U Myo Tint Tun, assistant secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation recently said: “A reduction in water available for crop […]
