New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma’s rice production policies were reviewed by the Myanmar Rice Industry Association (MRIA) in a two-day forum in Rangoon this week, in preparation for an upcoming meeting in Naypyitaw this month.
The current rice policy, reviewed in a meeting at the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) on Monday and Tuesday, was attended by rice traders, millers, producers and specialized companies. The workshop’s findings will be submitted and discussed at an up-coming meeting in Naypyitaw in August.MRIA officials said that the group supports the current policy, which makes rice self-sufficiency a priority and allows only for the export of surplus rice. The papers presented by four MIRA study groups will be compiled, officials said.
In workshop sessions, rice producers discussed issues including guaranteeing land-use rights to tillers, preventing land use loss, weaknesses in disseminating weather news and cultivation techniques.
A MIRA member said, “We discussed what should be done, what the state should do for rice production and our weaknesses and advantages."
One finding, he said, was that rice producing companies could not work efficiently in the distribution of fertilizers and loans to farmers.
He said guaranteeing a minimum support price at 300,000 kyat (US$ 400) for 100 baskets of paddy (4,600 lbs) by rice companies was discussed to protect farmers in case of falling prices and to give priority and privileges to specialized companies for rice export. There are 36 specialized companies in rice production.
MRIA Vice Chairman Sein Win Hlaing said, “The number of farmers is about 70 per cent of the total population, so giving assistance to them is related with poverty alleviation work.”
MRIA was established in January 2010 and became a member of UMFCCI. MRIA includes the Rice Millers Association, Rice Traders Association and Rice Producers Association.
After the new government took power, the management of the right to export rice was transferred to MRIA. It was previously handled by the Economic and Commerce Ministry. The MRIA chairman is Chit Khaing, the Aden Economic Enterprises Group owner, who is a close business associate of the government.
