Pajau Media
2nd January, 2024
The arrival of the sugarcane harvest season has been noted; however, local sellers are refraining from selling sugarcane. This is due to the fact that Chinese companies, which purchase sugarcane from the primary plantations in Mai Ja Yang and Loi Jae areas under the control of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), have not raised their prices.
The price of sugarcane, which was previously sold for as much as 450 Chinese yuan per ton, has decreased to 350 yuan per ton since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there are no purchases occurring at prices above this level, and numerous challenges related to transportation have also emerged.
Sugarcane farmers report that the costs of fertilizer and other essential inputs for sugarcane cultivation have risen annually, while the price of sugarcane itself has remained stagnant.
Sugarcane farmers have reached out to Chinese companies that purchase sugarcane to discuss the possibility of increasing the price. However, they have yet to receive a response. As a result, these farmers are expressing concerns that they may incur financial losses if they continue to sell their sugarcane at the prevailing price.
In prior years, the company that acquired sugarcane offered comprehensive assistance, supplying essential materials and equipment, including fertilizer and plastic. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a local reported that China has ceased to provide these vital resources.
Sugarcane plantations are typically harvested between December and March. However, the ongoing conflict in Kachin State has resulted in a labor shortage, causing local residents to express concerns about their livelihoods. They fear potential financial losses if they proceed with the harvesting and sale of sugarcane.
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