By Nyein Nyein
Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) has submitted 18 suggestions to the government on 27 April, including an increase of cultivation loan up to K200,000 per acre during the coronavirus pandemic.
MRF requested the government to allow the farmers who own more than 10 acres to 100 acres to get access to cultivation loan by Myanma Agriculture Development Bank.
Furthermore, the federation asked loan plan for seed production industry including growers. They also suggested to form district-level agriculture coordination groups to provide technical and financial input, hiring service for agricultural mechanization and better link to collaborate the farmers and the related organizations to have systematic supply chains.
Additionally, loan schemes with cheaper interest rate are also suggested for the farmers’ groups and rural cooperatives who want to set up village-level small warehouses and dryers.
The millers called for medium or long-term loans at much fairer rate to expand their businesses and upgrade their machines in their existing factory compound. Moreover, international loan scheme for rice and value-added productions of agricultural products, electricity generation from rice-husk, rice bran oil production, construction of cold-storages and large modern warehouses, fertilizer production and distribution, agro mechanization services were mentioned in the points of suggestion.
Besides, the federation asked for the reduction of electricity bill during the coronavirus crisis.
(Translated by EMM)
