Tobacco farmers in Ramree Twsp benefiting from junta blockades

By Admin 19 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
19 October 2024, Ramree

Tobacco leaves, a local agricultural product in Arakan State's Ramree Township, are fetching good prices and selling well, according to Ramree tobacco farmers.

In the past, there were few people who bought and consumed locally produced tobacco leaves, but tobacco farmers are reportedly benefiting from a recent increase in the number of people buying the locally grown leaves.

"Previously, we shipped tobacco leaves to Myebon Township. Now we sell tobacco leaves in our village. As the influx of cheroots from mainland Myanmar decreased, more people are smoking [locally farmed] tobacco," said a tobacco grower from Aungsaegon Village in Ramree Township.

Prior to the latest fighting between Myanmar's military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA), which began in November of last year in Arakan State, the prices of tobacco leaves ranged from K10,000 to K85,000 per viss depending on the size of the leaves. However, a viss of large tobacco leaves now sells for between K45,000 and K150,000 in the market, according to tobacco growers.

Tobacco farmers say the high prices of local and foreign cigarettes and cheroots have led to an increase in demand for locally produced tobacco.

"A viss of large tobacco leaves costs just over K40,000, but tens of thousands of local cigarettes can be produced. A packet of local cigarettes costs around K10,000. This is the reason why we use locally produced tobacco leaves," said a woman in her 50s from Teinpyin Village in Ramree Township.

In Ramree Township, tobacco is mostly grown by farmers from Aungsaegon, Thinpankaing, Thabyaychaung and Thedawpyin villages.

Tobacco leaves produced in Ramree Township were once supplied to other townships in Arakan State such as Myebon, Taungup, Thandwe and Kyaukphyu. But tobacco growers say they now sell tobacco leaves primarily within Ramree due to the fighting between the regime and the AA, and attendant travel restrictions.

Shipments of goods from mainland Myanmar decreased due to junta blockades following the resumption of fighting, and locals have become dependent on local products.