Rohingya farmers are suffering from water shortages for their summer paddy cultivation, said local elder who spoke with Kaladanpress on condition of anonymity. The farmers are dependent on growing rice in the summer to survive the proceeding rainy season.
“More than 100 acres of paddy fields have been dried up since April 15. (This is due) to water shortages from mountain streams (caused by a) blocked road.”
A farmer who also didn’t want his name used expressed frustration over the construction of the new road. “I have two acres of paddy fields near the mountain side. Now I can’t supply water to my paddy fields.”
The farmer said that they were prevented from cultivating paddy during last year’s rainy season after sectarian violence erupted in June. Now, “many Rohingya villagers are suffering from food shortages in Arakan state”.
Vegetable farmers from Khonza Bill and Udaung villages in southern Maungdaw south saw their farms destroyed to make way for the new highway in January.
Some of the paddy farmers affected by the water shortages have been identified as: Motolab, (35); son of Nurul Islam, Hussain, (50); son of Nazu Meah, Abdul Hakim, (70); son of Abdul Gofur and Mohamed Nazir, (30); son of Md. Noor, from Khonza Bill (village), Aley Than Kyaw, Maungdaw Township.
