Farmland left uncultivated for three years faces seizure, ULA says

By Admin 11 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

11 August 2026, Kyauktaw

Farmland in Arakan State left uncultivated for three consecutive years may be subject to fines or confiscation, according to the Central Land Management Committee under the United League of Arakan (ULA).

The committee said the primary objective of the Farmland Law in Arakan State is to ensure food security and promote the agricultural sector, and that farmland must not be left idle.

U Kyaw Zan, secretary of the Central Land Management Committee, said in an interview with Arakan People's Voice that the ULA reserves the right to impose fines or confiscate farmland if it remains uncultivated for three years without valid justification.

"Farmland right holders are required to follow rules under which leaving land idle without a valid reason can initially result in prescribed fines. As a second step, if the holder fails to cultivate the land after paying the fine, they may be evicted from the property. As a final step, the ULA can revoke the Form 7 land use certificate and reclaim the farmland," U Kyaw Zan said.

Under the ULA Farmland Law, land rights holders are prohibited from leaving agricultural land abandoned or uncultivated without proper authorisation.

Those unable to cultivate their land must submit an official explanation to the ULA or rent the property to active farmers, the secretary said.

Farmers across Arakan State currently face low paddy prices alongside rising production costs, including high fertiliser prices and ploughing fees, prompting many to reduce the amount of land they cultivate each year.

Rights monitors have urged the ULA to help farmers remain profitable rather than putting pressure on them amid current economic difficulties.

"With high costs and minimal profit margins, the ULA should help solve these issues to make farming profitable instead of issuing threats and pressure to force compliance. The ULA should establish export routes to Bangladesh and Mizoram State in India. Without external markets, farming strictly for internal consumption within Arakan State does not require such vast acreage. No one wants to engage in such gruelling work without making a profit," a male resident and local farming advocate in Kyauktaw said.

The ULA previously issued a notice on June 29 explicitly prohibiting the conversion of farmland into residential subdivisions or commercial developments without prior approval from the Central Land Management Committee.

The ULA also retains the authority to reclaim and manage land when needed for state development projects, urban development and public service infrastructure.

"The ULA holds full authority to reclaim land for state development projects, including roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and other public service requirements. This is a sovereign land acquisition authority practised worldwide. However, it must be exercised systematically in accordance with established or enacted laws," U Kyaw Zan added.

Relevant authorities must follow proper legal procedures when exercising government land management powers during acquisitions, he said.

The ULA plans to make necessary adjustments to the 1894 Land Acquisition Act to align it with current conditions, according to U Kyaw Zan.

Unauthorised non-agricultural use of farmland remains strictly prohibited, with violations punishable by six months to two years in prison, along with monetary fines, under the Farmland Law.