Export paddy fetched a poor price this year as the quality of newly harvested paddy is low, said Lu Maw Myint Maung, General Secretary of Myanmar Rice Federation. 

On the morning of December 19, the MRF held the formation of a regional committee in Pyay, Bago Region. The ceremony was attended by farmers, rice millers and traders from six Pyay districts. 

“Farmers did not get sufficient water for paddy growing. This year, the quality of paddy is a bit low due to the difficulty in the availability of paddy seeds. As the quality of paddy seeds is low, we cannot get high-quality paddy even if we use the advanced rice grinding machines. That’s why paddy doesn’t get a good price. The farmers are in the cycle,” he added. 

The formation of the regional committee by the MRF aims to solve other difficulties in addition to the current problems, said officials of the MRF. 

“The MRF is seeking the best ways to solve this problem. Farmers need to immediately inform our regional committee and township committee about the difficulties in the availability of paddy strains, water supply, and other difficulties. We will make cooperate with relevant regional governments if we are unable to solve the problem at the township level. If it is not ok, we have to report it to the Union government as a next step. We aim to solve it swiftly and effectively,” he continued. 

Farmers staged protests this year as they did not get the floor price fixed for the monsoon paddy. Farmers experienced losses due to the low paddy harvest.