Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and its affiliated associations donated K110 million to the Rakhine State government.
A team led by the president of the MRF, including 22 members, visited Sittway from 12 to 14 August. During the trip, they contributed K110 million to the Rakhine State government on 12 August to ramp up rice production, escalate commercialization and assist in the resettlement of the Cyclone Mocha- hit agriculture businesses in Rakhine State.
Furthermore, the Rakhine State’s chief minister, regional ministers, department officials, rice millers, traders and farmers discussed the coordination matters during the resettlement activities, market stability, boosting production, development of rice milling and MSMEs in the industry, exportation to Bangladesh, irrigation project from the river, integrated farming and drawing a master plan for the Rakhine State’ agriculture and livestock sector.
The prices of other rice varieties are on an upward trend. The prices of old Pawsan rice hit K105,000-110,000 per sack depending on producing areas (Myaungmya, Pathein, Pyapon and other regions), while Pawsan from the Shwebo area touched the highest of K140,000 per sack. The prices stood at K95,000 per bag for Kunni, K69,000 for Ngasein, K69,000 for Aemahta, K95,000 for Pawkywe, K69,000 for rice grown under intercropping system and K107,000 for new Pawsan rice variety, as per the price data released by Myanmar Rice Wholesale Centre (Wahdan).
The MRF, Myanmar Rice Traders Association and exporting companies worked together to sell off the rice from 7 August at Wahdan and Bayintnaung rice wholesale depots to control the price rallies.
The rice prices are set at K110,000-120,000 per sack of Shwebo Pawsan, K94,000-97,000 per sack of Ayeyawady Pawsan, K65,000 per sack of Aemahta variety (10 per cent broken) and K60,000 per sack of Aemahta (25 per cent broken). An individual is entitled to buy one Pawsan rice sack and one low-grade rice sack per month at Wahdan and Bayintnaung rice depots, by presenting the citizenship scrutiny card.
Additionally, civil service personnel, factory and company staff can buy them by contacting the MRF via email: admin@ mrf.com.mm with presenting an official letter. For further detail, please contact the MRF Ph: 09400067260, 09400067270, Wahdan rice depot Ph: 018 221448, 018 220131, 018 210287 and Bayintnaung rice depot Ph: 09 769029428.
Myanmar has achieved self-sufficiency in rice and only the surplus rice is exported systematically. At present, rice crops are being harvested in the northern Bago Region and central Myanmar Region. With the electricity supply improving, rice mills could run operations fully. Therefore, the production meets the consumption for sure. Nevertheless, those unscrupulous are spreading malicious rumours and fake news to trigger consumers’ concerns and spark panic buying. The federation hereby requested the consumers to stop panic buying and buy the rice only if necessary.
Myanmar Rice Federation will endeavour to stabilize the rice price and steer the market for the right price and the right product. The MRF will join hands with the rice millers, rice traders and companies. The federation called on them to balance the short-term and long-term benefits in trading, as per the MRF’s notification dated 24 April.
Individuals and family entities can contact the rice wholesale centres for fair prices and the right products. For any difficulties, please contact the office of the MRF, as per the statement.
Myanmar Rice Federation notified on 24 April that tips-off about those manipulators who spread malicious rumours on digital platforms to spark concerns of the consumers and raise the rice prices can be done for the sake of the long-term benefit of the rice industry.
The federation will forward the reports of those manipulators to the relevant authorities if they refuse to be persuaded. The MRF encouraged all the stakeholders in the supply chain to exert concerted efforts in this as well. — NN/EM
