The residents of Nanyun Township in the Naga Self-Administered Zone of Sagaing Division have reported that the cost of a bag of rice has surged to over 100,000 kyat.
According to a resident of Nanyun, the price of Paw San Hmwe rice has increased from
approximately 70,000 kyats to 110,000 kyats, over the past two months. The cost of Ngwe Toe rice has also risen from around 65,000 kyats to 105,000 kyats, while a bag of ordinary rice now costs 95,000 kyats.
“The rice in the lower region is difficult to transport, so it is not easy to get here. If it is transported from Danai, it takes about 2 - 3 days to reach here. The transportation is difficult and rice prices are rising in the lower region, so the price here is about double. Even though the locals can’t afford it, they have to buy and eat. If they don't buy, they don’t have any food,” he said.
As there is no farmland available in Nanyun Township, the residents depend solely on upland rice.
However, due to the lack of productivity from last year’s upland rice crops, they are now forced to pay exorbitant prices for rice imported from the lower regions this year, according to the locals.
The man stated, “ Normally, in a year when upland rice doesn’t produce, we still buy and consume it as usual. However in this scenario , the price usually hovers around 85,000. But in the last few years, the price has significantly increased. Prior to the military coup, a bag of rice cost around 45,000 kyats.”
The Nanyun region is experiencing weak economic development and a lack of job opportunities for its residents, resulting in significant challenges for locals to make ends meet, particularly when the price of rice increases.
In Nanyun Township, which is located in the Naga Self-Administered Zone, consumer goods such as rice and other commodities are imported from Myitkyina and Danai along the Ledo Road.
However transportation between Nanyun and Shingbwiyang, a distance of nearly 40 miles, is challenging, particularly during the rainy season, when large trucks can take almost a week to travel the distance.
Nanyun Township comprises over 60 village-tracts and more than 100 villages, and is home to nearly 10,000 households.
