Small-scale livestock farmers suspend operations amid conflict in Arakan 

By Admin 30 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
30 August 2024, Sittwe

Small-scale livestock farmers in Arakan State have been forced to suspend their operations due to ongoing armed conflict in the region.

Junta blockades imposed since fighting resumed between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) mean they cannot bring in raw materials. Some were also displaced by the fighting or junta raids.

A local woman who raised broilers in Kyat Taw Pyin Village in Sittwe Township said: “I am not operating as I have no capital. Though it is small-scale poultry farming, it requires tens of millions of kyats to invest. And I could no longer live in my village due to the junta’s arrests. So, I stopped farming poultry.”

International organisations had in the past provided loans and grants for women in Arakan State to start small-scale livestock farming. Since the fighting broke out anew in Arakan State in November of last year, they no longer receive most of that assistance.

Many business owners suffered losses when Cyclone Mocha hit Arakan State in May 2023. They pawned or sold their gold jewellery to restart their businesses, but many have been displaced by the latest fighting.

A fish breeder in Ponnagyun Township said: “I had to use all my savings to inject into my business after the cyclone. I had to leave it behind after the fighting.”

Animal husbandry businesses were also forced to suspend operations in townships controlled by the AA due to shortages of raw materials and a lack of market.

Swine breeder U Than Aung Kyaw from Ywa Thit Kay Village in Mrauk-U Township said: “I raised more than 100 pigs before. I can only raise eight pigs now because of the crisis resulting from fighting. I can’t afford capital, and there is no market. And animal feed is also scarce.”

Access to capital, technology and raw materials are major challenges to micro, small and medium enterprises in Arakan State in the face of the junta blockades that have followed renewed fighting.