• Burmese
Sunday, December 3, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
34 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Farmers Want National Association to Protect Interests

by May Lay
September 18, 2012
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Farmers Want National Association to Protect Interests

Burmese rice farmers in the Irrawaddy Delta. (Photo: WikiMedia)

2.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

RANGOON—Farmers from rural areas around Burma are trying to set up the Myanmar Farmers Association (MFA) by cooperating with central executive committee members of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) although government permission has not yet been granted.

“Executive-level people of the government worry about the Myanmar Farmers Association as more than 75 percent of the country’s population works in agriculture. Currently there are many protests regarding land grabs. If they can’t control this massive group, it will impact on the government body and current situation,” said a spokesperson for the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

December 1, 2023
21.9k
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

November 27, 2023
29.6k
Russia and Myanmar Junta Look to Bypass International Payment Sanctions

Russia and Myanmar Junta Look to Bypass International Payment Sanctions

November 8, 2023
1.5k

The MRF, the formerly Myanmar Rice Industry Association, has grown very quickly into a powerful organization since reformist President Thein Sein took office in March last year. At first, the MRF only gave recommendations for rice exports to support the work of the Ministry of Commerce. Later, the association also got permission to operate the “buffer stock” project. The MRF is just over one year old and led by famous tycoon Chit Khine.

Yet some analysts do not see the trade association as necessarily a positive development.

“Now the MRF has already set up the Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation (MAPCO), which is the first public company allowed by the government. MAPCO is currently selling shares to the public while another 17 private companies are waiting for permission from the government,” an economic expert told The Irrawaddy.

“MRF already handles rice exports and the local production sector. It also operates the buffer stock project. Now the MRF is trying to set up the MFA for other farming such as pulses, beans and sesame farmers. It is not good for market competition and will lead to domination.”

The MFA asked for government permission to establish an association in the first week of September yet has already announced that it will operate in the future as an arm of the MRF despite the absence of an official response.

“We will try to set up a National Farmers Conference during the next six months. We will invite President Thein Sein, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other related ministers. In that conference, farmers will speak out about their feelings and their rights. We will also elect the chairman and other committee members for the MFA,” said Soe Tun, the temporary chairman of the MFA as well as a central executive member of the MRF.

MRF central executive members are currently heading the MFA before the National Farmers Conference takes place and new leaders can be chosen. MRF members said they will network with farmers to ascertain their needs and promote their capacities.

“We can use our voice with this association. We will propose our ideas for the development of the agricultural sector and rural areas at the conference. We believe we are the only ones who can promote our lives,” said Than Tun, a farmer who owns more than 120 acres in Irrawaddy Division.

Currently farmers are suffering from floods in the main rice cultivation areas of the Irrawaddy Delta as well as drought farther north in the dry zone where bean and pulse crops are under threat.

Many farmers are struggling this year due to the lack of financial assistance from the government—50,000 kyat (US $60) per acre as opposed to the 150,000 kyat ($180) needed to be sustainable.

The current farming system run by MRF involves special rice companies supporting farmers on a contract basis. But only around 10 special companies can continue to support farmers this year compared with 58 in 2011 as around half of farmers have apparently not been able to repay last year’s loans.

“We will argue at Parliament for a law to protect farmers after our association becomes official,” said Soe Tun. “But currently we will continue trying to get permission from the government for the registration of the Myanmar Farmers Association.”

Your Thoughts …
Previous Post

Telecoms Uncertainty as Firms Indulge in Back-door License Lobbying

Next Post

Burma Can Learn Lessons from US Govt, Say Delegates

May Lay

May Lay

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

November 28, 2023
78.2k
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

November 29, 2023
70.3k
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

November 27, 2023
29.6k
Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

November 25, 2023
27k
General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption

General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption

September 14, 2023
23.5k
Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

December 1, 2023
21.9k
Load More
Next Post
Burma Can Learn Lessons from US Govt

Burma Can Learn Lessons from US Govt, Say Delegates

Burma Releases 83 Thais

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

21 hours ago
10.5k
As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

2 days ago
5.5k

Most Read

  • Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

    Operation 1027 Will Not End Until Myanmar’s Junta is Removed, Ethnic Army Says

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ASEAN Urged to Stop Calling For ‘Inclusive Talks’ Between Myanmar Junta and Its Victims

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Charting the Shifting Power Balance on Myanmar’s Battlefields 

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.