Political Instability and Rising Fertilizer Prices Lead to Decline in Farmers in Mansi Township

Pajau Media

May 23, 2025

In Kachin State, Mansi Township, the number of people engaged in farming has significantly decreased this year, according to a local resident.

Local farmers in Mansi report that political instability and the high cost of agricultural fertilizers have led to a decline in farming activities.

"Many farmlands around Mansi are no longer being cultivated. The fields owned by Kachin people are now being worked by Shan people. A single Shan household cultivates two or three fields, but recently, they have been returning the land to the original owners," said a Mansi resident.

The inability to continue farming is due to difficulties in obtaining fertilizers, exorbitant prices when available, and security and travel concerns caused by the political situation.

"Fertilizers are expensive and hard to find. Even if available, the prices are too high. Many farmers are afraid to cultivate their land because they can't afford fertilizers, which are essential for farming," the resident added.

According to farmers, before the planting season, the price of Pa Lae fertilizer (a type of fertilizer) has risen from around 65,000 kyats per bag to 250,000 kyats. Other types of fertilizers have also surged to nearly 300,000 kyats.

With fertilizer prices expected to rise further during the farming season and the high cost of herbicides for weed control, many farmers have stopped cultivating their land.

Additionally, due to ongoing military and political conflicts, commodity prices have skyrocketed, and transportation difficulties have made farming unprofitable, leaving farmers worried about facing losses.

News by Zaw Mai