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SHAN STATE – Farmers said that the junta forces are demanding 100,000 kyats if they planted a bag of maize in the army’s areas in Hsihseng township, Pao Autonomous Region.
He said that those who are currently farming in more than 2,000 acres of confiscated land are not the owners, but refugees who came from other areas. “We don’t plant. Not biting this year. Those who are planting now are from other villages. Also, the workers who come from Burmese region. Of course they have to make their ends meet. As farm owners know, fertilizer is expensive and it’s economically not feasible, so they don’t grow” said a native farmer.
The land currently allowed to be taxed and cultivated is west of Infantry Battalion (423) and (424) and has been confiscated by the junta since 1992. “How is it going to work if you pay 100,000 for a bag of seeds these days? Even the owner of the farm doesn’t plant because it’s economically not feasible. The price of fertilizers is so high.” said another farmer.
The farmers learned that the land had been seized only in 2019, and after disputes arose, at the end of 2022, the junta thieves paid Kyat 10,000 to each farmer and closed the case.
On 2020 July 3rd and 4th, 34.8 acres of cultivated land between IB (423) and (424) were destroyed by junta thugs, farmers said.