At a time when Cyclone Nargis survivors need relief material, shelter and the paddy fields need reclamation, the junta authorities in Mon State are busy collecting paddy seeds from rice traders for cultivating in the rainy season in Irrawaddy division.

Known as the rice bowl of the country, the paddy fields there are inundated with saline water after the cyclone and it is impossible for farmers to cultivate in the monsoon if the fields are not freed of salinity.

According to a Mudon resident, the authorities took 300 to 400 baskets (Burmese measurement) from each rice trader. Some traders who own rice-mills have to hand over 400 baskets for cultivation.

A Mudon resident who saw the seed piling up in Kamawet village in Mudon Township said "The authorities got at least 1,000 baskets from the traders. One trader I know said that he already given 400 baskets to the authorities". It is being piled in a field in the village.

The small rice-mill owners in Mudon Town said that the order has not come to them yet.

IMNA sources said the order to collect seeds could come from the Burmese Army battalion but presently the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) is collecting it.

He added that the VPDC has requested traders to help the cyclone hit areas to grow paddy.

During the cyclone in southern Burma , the price of rice and paddy increased to over 850,000 Kyat for 100 baskets. The price is about 800,000 Kyat today.

The rice mill owners in Mon State were forced to sell paddy to the army for its rations at a price lower than that prevailing in the market in 2006.