Saw Shin May 

Farmers have reported that pests have harmed rice crops in some townships within Arakan (Rakhine) during this farming season.

The townships impacted by pest damage are recognized as the primary rice-producing regions in Arakan State, including Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Minbya, and some other townships.

As stated by U Htun Win, a farmer residing in Mrauk-U, the insects have led to the rotting of the roots of the rice plants, resulting in a black coloration and a foul odor emanating from the base of the plants.

“Should the planting be delayed, white-headed beetles will infest the crops, consuming the tender leaves. Beetles that live in the soil also play a role in causing damage. The roots decay, change to a dark color, and release a bad odor. These beetles are invisible, but agricultural specialists can observe them through the use of a magnifying glass. Although these problems exist, specialists are not easily accessible. Using fertilizer could be beneficial, but it is still uncertain whether the pests will vanish. If they persist, there will be losses,” he clarified.

Rice plants affected by the white-headed beetle can recover and become more robust with the use of fertilizer.

Local farmers in Rakhine refer to the pests as beetles, root beetles, or soil-dwelling beetles, as they harm the roots of rice plants. This damage results in rot, stunted growth, yellowing, drying out, and eventually the death of the affected plants.

Farmers link the outbreak to reasons including not re-cultivating fields in the previous summer, delayed planting, improper fertilization, and damage from heavy rainfall during the rainy season.

U Htun Win stated that approximately one acre of the five acres of glutinous rice he grows in Mrauk-U is infested with pests. Similarly, some rice fields in Kyauktaw Township have also been impacted.

A farmer in Kyauktaw expressed concerns regarding earworm infestations that are causing rice plants to weaken and resulting in low fruit production.

In Ponnagyun Township, U Aung Kyaw Gyi stated that rice crops were experiencing problems due to insufficient fertilizer.

Since early July, heavy rainfall has caused additional damage to rice fields in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Maungdaw, and Buthidaung, particularly in low-lying areas flooded for several days.

The ongoing conflict in Rakhine State has led to a surge in the prices of agricultural input, making the situation more difficult for farmers whose crops are now suffering from pest damage.

Arakan State possesses around 1.2 million acres of agricultural land; however, as a result of ongoing conflict since 2018, only approximately 700,000 acres were cultivated during this rainy season, according to the Arakan State Farmers’ Union.

Published Date: October 11, 2025