September 1, 2022

More than half of livestock farming in Mon State, Myanmar, disrupted by impact of military takeover

Almost 70% of livestock farming in Myanmar's Mon State has completely ceased due to increased production costs within a year and the impact of the takeover of the government by the country's military, livestock farmers told Than Lwin Times.

Livestock businesses have been forced to shut down completely with skyrocketing prices of livestock inputs such as animal feeds, medicine and general costs. Additionally, the expenses of building a farm and transporting goods have also nearly doubled.

"Currently, high food costs and diseases caused by climate change are challenges. The data indicates that around 70% of the livestock sector have closed," one farmer said. "Some families were forced to flee their homes because of mounting debt."

Dire economic conditions have since left farmers with little desire to expand new businesses. With the stoppage of farming, the price of a chicken egg jumped from K200 (US$0.10) to K250 (US$0.12).

Livestock farmers have claimed that the livelihoods of individuals, who depend on the livestock industry, are under increasing threat, while the unemployment rate for skilled workers is rising.

Chickens, pigs, ducks and fish are mainly raised in Mon State.

- Burma News International