Farmers near Loikaw and several nearby villages, which are under the control of resistance forces following “Operation 1111” in Karenni (Kayah) State, have stated that they were compelled to abandon their paddy fields due to raids by the military council.
Since early July, the military council force has occupied positions in Loikaw. Local farmers dare not to return home although It’s time for transplanting seedlings and spraying the paddy fields.
Ko Rocky, a local farmer from Loikaw expressed his concern about the destruction of paddy fields and inability to harvest paddy.
Ko Rocky said: “We planted the paddy on 15 June. It has been over a month now. I have planted nearly two acres of paddy. Some others have planted three acres of paddy. The reason we plant paddy there is because we have no other place to grow it. It is impossible for me to do farming in the displacement area as others also do farming due to livelihood difficulties. So, I chose to do farming on my own land.”
Most of displaced Karenni people are facing livelihood difficulties. There is no land available for farming because locals and existing IDPs have already planted paddy in the displacement areas. Therefore, they have returned to their villages at the risk of their lives, to cultivate paddy while the resistance forces control the areas.
Since early July, the military council have conducted a counter-offensive in most of areas in Loikaw town to regain control of the area. Local farmers said they are concerned and they want to check their paddy fileds.
“First, I have to check the paddy fields to see if other people are present there. I only go there when I see someone else. Farmers should go there only in the morning and not stay too long. Point-5 fired by the military council will fall on my head right. I saw drones flying overhead. They are like green flies. I have to keep an eye on them. Otherwise, I might be killed,” a Karenni farmer said.
The price of a bag of rice is around 100,000 Ks in Karenni State. Since the number of donors visiting the IDPs camps has decreased, most of the IDPs say that it is becoming more difficult for them to survive.
A Loikaw displaced person said: “Now the price of a bag of rice is nearly 100,000 Ks. As fewer donors visit the displacement camps, the IDPs like me who have many children face more difficulties. I have lost hope.”
There are over 100 acres of paddy fields cultivated near the entrance to Loikaw-Demoso and some places in western DawUKhu, at a time when most areas of Loikaw were under the control of the resistance forces, local farmers said.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times