Published
Monday, March 17, 2008 - 14:37
Authorities fine farmers failing to grow beans
Maungdaw, Arakan State: The authorities in Maungdaw Township, in Arakan State, fined kyat 20,000 per 0.40 acre to farmers who did not grow beans and who grew it but failed in their farming activity after the paddy season was over last year.
Maungdaw, Arakan State: The authorities in Maungdaw Township, in Arakan State, fined kyat 20,000 per 0.40 acre to farmers who did not grow beans and who grew it but failed in their farming activity after the paddy season was over last year.
The officers of the agriculture department of Maungdaw fined the farmers who did not sow the seeds and those who sowed bean seeds, but did not succeed. Some farmers paid the fine but some did not. The officers threatened the farmers that their land will be seized if they did not pay the money.
Last year, the authorities, ordered the farmers in Maungdaw Township to grow beans in their vacant lands after the paddy season was over. Burma had an agreement with India to export pulses, so the Burmese regime wants to increase pulse production.
Some farmers grew beans in their fields and some did not. Farmers, who grew beans in their vacant lands, did not do well as the weather and the soil is not favorable to these seeds.
On March 2, three agricultural officers went to the rural areas of Maungdaw Township and surveyed the growth of bean seeds. But, they found that most of the farmers did not grow bean seeds and those who grew bean seeds did not succeed given unfavourable soil. But, from the government's side, farmers did not get any help and advice on how to grow bean seeds. The regime only ordered growing bean seeds.
Some of the farmers like Hafez Hashem (25), Moktul Hussain (45), Zaker (35) and 47 other families, hailing from Kunnapara or ThaYai Gone Tant village of Maungaw Township paid kyat 1.5 million as fine to the officers of the agriculture department of Maungdaw Town.
The officers of the agriculture department of Maungdaw fined the farmers who did not sow the seeds and those who sowed bean seeds, but did not succeed. Some farmers paid the fine but some did not. The officers threatened the farmers that their land will be seized if they did not pay the money.
Last year, the authorities, ordered the farmers in Maungdaw Township to grow beans in their vacant lands after the paddy season was over. Burma had an agreement with India to export pulses, so the Burmese regime wants to increase pulse production.
Some farmers grew beans in their fields and some did not. Farmers, who grew beans in their vacant lands, did not do well as the weather and the soil is not favorable to these seeds.
On March 2, three agricultural officers went to the rural areas of Maungdaw Township and surveyed the growth of bean seeds. But, they found that most of the farmers did not grow bean seeds and those who grew bean seeds did not succeed given unfavourable soil. But, from the government's side, farmers did not get any help and advice on how to grow bean seeds. The regime only ordered growing bean seeds.
Some of the farmers like Hafez Hashem (25), Moktul Hussain (45), Zaker (35) and 47 other families, hailing from Kunnapara or ThaYai Gone Tant village of Maungaw Township paid kyat 1.5 million as fine to the officers of the agriculture department of Maungdaw Town.
