Burmese Army battalions have been reselling fertilizers meant for Cyclone Nargis hit farmers in Irrawaddy to Mon State farmers, alleged members of Village Peace and Development Councils (VPDC).

"Most farmers don't wish to buy these fertilizers because it is for farmers in Irrawaddy Division where seawater flooded farms during Cyclone Nargis on May 2-3," according to the VPDC in southern Mudon Township Mon State .

The VPDC said the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No-209 of the Burmese Army sold the fertilizer to farmers in Kamarwet village where it is based. Artillery Regiment No-315 sold it in Ah-bit around Winphanon Dam, and Infantry Battalion No-62 sold it in Kwan-hlar village.

The Artillery Regiment made it mandatory for the VPDC to buy about 20 sacks (60 kilograms per sack) to Htone-mun village, 40 to Hnee-padaw, 40 to Kalort-tort, 40 to Taungpa, 35 to Set-thawe, 25 sacks to Kwan-ba-bue for use in summer paddy fields.

The battalions' resold the compound fertilizer to farmers for 32,000 Kyat per sack. Private shops are selling the same fertilizer for only 17,000 Kyat per sack, said farmers.

Farmers said "We don't want to buy it because it is meant for Cyclone Nargis victims in Irrawaddy . And the price too has been raised two fold than that sold by shops".

With farmers reluctant to buy, the VPDC chairmen requested them to accept it. The fertilizers are marked 'Made in China '.

"The battalions do not care whether farmers can buy it or not, that's why we have to persuade farmers to help generate the money for the army," VPDC sources said.

The chairman of Mudon Township also forced farmers to cultivate summer paddy in every village even thought the township has only five special zones for summer paddy.

Farmers are being forced to buy compound fertilizers by the army and cultivate summer paddy by the Township chairman even though the authorities know it is an impossible proposition.