“I’ll chop down my betel nut plants”
November 8, 2023
HURFOM: “If the price of betel nut is going to drop like this, I’ll chop down my betel nut trees and replace them with rubber plants or grafted durian plants,” said a betel nut plantation owner from Southern Ye Township, Mon State.
The price of betel nut in Ye Township has been dropping since early 2023 and now, extreme price drops have nearly destroyed the market, local people told HURFOM.
In October, 2023, 1.63 kg of dried betel nut could get 1,200 to 1,800 MMK but now, it is only priced at 800 to 1,200 MMK. In addition, there have been no buyers for betel nuts.
“Not only the price drops but also no buyers. It’s the worst – we can’t find a buyer even if we’re in need of cash,” said one plantation owner.
The betel nut had a good price in 2021 with 1.63 kg being priced at 8,000 to 9,000 MMK. The price has dropped nearly ten times within two years.
“The price drop this year has made us want to die. We borrowed money to put fertilizer, to remove bushes, to clean the plantation and to peel betel nuts. I’ve planned to pay our debt after the harvest season. But it didn’t go as planned. We’ve had a really tough life,” said a betel nut farmer from Southern Ye Township.
Farmers in Yeh Township rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, and 70% of them grow betel nuts.
“I had betel nuts from the previous season and I’d wait for a good price to sell them. Now, new betel nuts are ready to harvest. If the price is going to drop like this, we’re in the worst situation,” said another plantation owner.
All basic food prices and commodity prices have risen sharply, but the price for betel nut has dropped dramatically, making it very difficult for betel nut farmers.
“We rely on the betel nut plantation for everything. Now commodity prices have risen but only our product has a bad price. We’re worried about our sustenance,” said another farmer.
Betel nuts from Ye Township have been exported to China, India and Bangladesh but there is no export at the moment.
Junta orders school closure after November-2 armed clash in Kyarinnseikyi
November 8, 2023
HURFOM: On November 2, 2023, an armed clash took place between the military junta and the joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army in Kyarinnseikyi Town, Karen State. Three people were killed when nine other people were injured and houses were also destroyed.
Read moreThree young boys killed by landmine explosion in Thaton
November 8, 2023
HURFOM: On November 5, 2023, three young boys approximately 13 years of age, from Kin Moon Chone village, Moe Kaung village track, Thaton Township, Mon State stepped on a landmine and all were killed by the explosion.
Read moreMidwife arrested and charged in Mawlamyine for social media post
November 7, 2023
HURFOM: On November 2, 2023, the military junta arrested a midwife from Nyaung Pin Sake Ward, Mawlamyine Township, Mon State who allegedly contributed to the “Civilian Disobedience Movement” (CDM).
Read moreJunta controls and limits transport and sale of rice in Tenasserim
November 7, 2023
HURFOM: The military junta has been controlling and limiting the transportation and sale of rice in Tenasserim Township, Tenasserim Division which greatly impacts the lives of local people. The military junta also stops and arrests drivers of vehicles and trucks carrying rice bags.
Read moreTwo women injured by artillery explosion in Kaw Ka Rate
November 7, 2023
HURFOM: On November 2, 2023, an artillery explosion in Ward #2, Kaw Ka Rate Town, Karen State resulted in injuries to an 85-year-old old woman and her 40-year-old daughter.
The Karen National Liberation Army attacked the Kaw Ka Rate 97th Light Infantry Battalion and the military responded with multiple artillery attacks.
Read moreMilitary regiment arrests local villagers in Long Lone
November 7, 2023
HURFOM: On November 2, 2023, a military regiment secretly entered Tha Byar village, Long Lone Township, Tenasserim Division via a jungle route and arrested seven villagers.
The regiment included about 80 troops and they arrested six men and one woman. Then, they released four men.
Read moreFive Paung residents sentenced to imprisonment
November 6, 2023
HURFOM: The military junta arrested at least 20 Paung residents and has made multiple accusations. Five of those arrested have been sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment, according to the source close to the junta’s police force.
Read moreExpress bus strikes landmine and eight passengers sustains injuries
November 6, 2023
HURFOM: On November 1, 2023, an express bus traveling with 43 passengers struck a landmine placed near Kyun Taw village, Kyike Hto Township, Mon State and four men and four women sustained injuries.
“Eight passengers were injured in total. A man had a fragment of the landmine pierce his abdomen. He was immediately sent to Mawlamyine General Hospital,” said an official from a local rescue team.
Read moreOne killed, ten injured, including children in Kyarinnseikyi Town armed clash
November 6, 2023
HURFOM: At approximately 4 am on November 2, 2023, a major armed clash took place between the military junta and the joint revolutionary forces in Kyarinnseikyi Town, Karen State. Local people told HURFOM that a resident was killed and ten people, including children, were injured during the battle.
Read more
Latest Headlines
- One civilian died due to the battles in Thane Za Yet
- Frequent armed conflicts stop operation of schools in Kaw Ka Rate
- Ten young men per ward must serve as conscripts in Kyarinnseikyi
- Military Junta Burns High School to Ash in Bilin
- Two siblings sustain severe injuries from landmine explosion in Thanbyuzayat
- Junta arrests young man and forces him to serve as conscript in Mudon
- Three family members arrested in Maw Ka Nin
- Rubber plantation worker sustains injury in armed clash in Maw Ka Nin
- Junta’s troops launch military operation in Long Lone that kills local woman
- Intense fighting forces 500 residents to flee homes in Phar Pon
Articles in Mon (PDF Format)
Categories
