Unfortunately, two months after Cyclone Nargis made landfall in Burma stories like this one are resonating across the Irrawaddy Delta. Nargis has left farmers in an extremely precarious situation, and many remain perturbed by the uncertainty of their future livelihoods. According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) 783, 220 ha of paddy fields were submerged by the cyclone, approximately 122, 500 cattle (buffaloes and cows) were killed, between 75% - 80 % of seed stock was destroyed, some 2, 996 power tillers, 121, 373 harrows, ploughs and rotary cultivators, 19, 655 carts and 132, 085 of other farm implements were destroyed by Nargis. The FAO estimates that this will prevent 52, 121 farmers from planting rice this season. The Democratic voice of Burma (DVB) interviewed villagers in Dedaye Township and discovered that farmers had lost about 90% of their cows and buffaloes.

Some farmers have received aid in the form of livestock and farming equipment from the Burmese government and international organizations since the cyclone hit, yet it has become clear this week that the aid available is insufficient to meet demand, and in some cases ineffectual in assisting farmers. Many farmers are facing additional setbacks, despite aid efforts, preventing them from cultivating the land and planting rice.

Cases of animal foot and mouth disease, affecting cows and buffaloes have been reported in Rangoon Division, Pegu Division and in the cities of Laputta, Dedaye, Pyapon, Kyonmangay, Wakems and Kyaiklat in the Irrawaddy delta. This disease is not uncommon in the monsoon season, but is an added burden for farmers who have already lost thousands of cattle in cyclone affected areas. According to a recent FAO report 434 cattle and 581 buffaloes survived the cyclone, yet a large number of these have been unable to work since Nargis. Farmers have reported that oxen and buffaloes are suffering from stress and psychological trauma since Nargis hit and are now reluctant to work. The Burmese government and FAO have identified that draught animals need to be replaced immediately to allow farmers to grow their own food, however even those animals that have been donated are not as effective as had been hoped. The new animals are taking too long to settle into new environments, and with the planting season slipping by farmers simply cannot afford the time to wait whilst these animals adapt.

Mechanical tillers were thought to be one solution to the lack of effective cattle. Some machines have been donated, and others are being sold to farmers by the government. However, many farmers who have used animals to plough their fields for the entire lives lack the operational knowledge required for the machinery they have been provided and those that can operate the machinery are burdened with the high cost of fuel. Fuel has risen from US $4 to almost $6 since the cyclone, and despite the promise of government fixed fuel prices for the farmers they are being forced to purchase fuel at market prices. Those who cannot afford to buy fuel cannot are unable to use the tillers, and the growing concern is not only the failure produce crops, but the debt which will inevitably be incurred by those farmers who have sought out loans to purchase tillers since the cyclone.

Aside from the unavoidable problems farmers are facing since Nargis hit, the actions of the Burmese Government this week are adding much burden to the plight of farmers. The DVB have reported that thousands of acres of privately owned land has been seized by the government in Bogalay Township. Farmers from this area have already purchased equipment and seeds on a credit based system, and are now left with loans of up to 1.5 million Kyat each which they must repay within three years. Farmers in this region have already lost crops produced prior to the cyclone, and these seizures are exacerbating their concerns about future production. Those farmers who still hold land have reported that the government has been obstructing their attempts to purchasing tillers this week. Some farmers have been charged an extortionate 3000 Kyat simply to submit applications papers for tillers and have still not received any equipment. As farmers in cyclone struck areas continue to put what little funds they do have towards their futures, they are continually being thwarted at every step by their own government who are now exploiting Nargis survivors.

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