MRF partners with institutions for agricultural rehabilitation

Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) announced on 7 October that the federation has been collaborating with governmental institutions, the private sector and civil society in agricultural rehabilitation programmes.
MRF has been making agricultural rehabilitation efforts in flood-stricken areas, together with affiliated associations (Myanmar Rice Millers Association, Myanmar Rice Planters and Producers Association) and member companies.
MRF put K500 million for donations of rice bags, paddy seed and fertilizer and K1.25 billion of capital revolving fund to offer zero-interest loans for farmers through a Leading Group for the Protection of Farmer Rights and Enhancement of their Benefits under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation under those programmes.
A devastating flood triggered by torrential rainfalls swept through 54 townships in nine regions and states, which is 16 per cent of 330 townships of the State, submerging villages and destroying buildings and infrastructure. According to a record on the morning of 21 September, a total of 2,149 buildings were totally destroyed, 3,455 buildings partially destroyed, and 136,023 buildings were submerged, totalling 141,627 buildings. Additionally, 546 schools were flooded.
Moreover, the flood impacted a total of 148,643, claiming 384 lives, including 164 in Nay Pyi Taw, five in Kayin State, 2 in Bago Region, 134 in Mandalay Region, 78 in Shan State and one in Ayeyawady, leaving 89 persons missing. Moreover, severe flood damaged 435 religious buildings, 533 roads and bridges, 2,489 lamp-posts, 99 telecom towers, 144,998 animals and 735,461 acres of paddy, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said, during his appreciation speech for donations at the ceremony of donation by well-wishers for relief and resettlement activities in flood-impacted areas triggered by Typhoon Yagi, held at City Hall in Nay Pyi Taw on 21 September. More than K32.2 billion were raised during the donation ceremony. — NN/KK