Skyrocketing fuel and fertiliser prices take toll on farmers in Ayeyarwady Region

By DMG 16 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
16 June 2022, Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region 

Most farmers in Ayeyarwady Region are facing difficulties in cultivating this rainy season due to the sharp rise in fuel and fertiliser prices. 

Farmers in Ayeyarwady Region are using tractors to plough their farmlands, and now diesel prices are four times higher than in the previous five months, making it more difficult to grow paddy, said a local farmer in Pyapon Township. 

“Fuel prices have risen even more than in the previous five months. Farmers are using tractors, but they find it difficult to buy diesel. Farmers have to wait to plough their farmlands due to various reasons,” said a farmer in Pyapon Township. 

A litre of premium diesel was sold for K2,715, while regular diesel was sold for K2,690, 92-RON octane was sold for K2,300 and 95-RON octane was sold for K2,420 on June 15 in Arakan State, according to local filling stations. 

Some filling stations sell fuel on a quota basis due to fuel shortages across the country, making it difficult for most farmers in Ayeyarwady Region to buy the diesel, said one farmer. 

“Farmers are facing difficulties buying diesel as some filling stations are selling fuel on a quota basis. Selling fuel on a quota basis and closure of filling stations has taken a heavy toll on farmers,” said a businessman in Pyapon. 

The prices of pesticides, fertilisers and fungicides used in agriculture are more than four times higher than in the previous two years, and farmers in Kyaiklat say they are worried about losses after planting and harvesting. 

“Not only are the prices of fuel but also the prices of pesticides used in agriculture now four times higher than in the previous two years. When the paddy is planted and harvested again, the cost will be higher if the selling price and cost are not met,” said a local farmer in Kyaiklat Township. 

Ayeyarwaddy Region is one of the largest paddy growing areas in Myanmar, and many farmers say the rising cost of inputs has become a burden for them to repay their agricultural bank loans as soon as possible.