Fuel price spike forces farmers to reuse draft cows in farming activities

A surge in fuel oil prices pushed the farmers in Magway Region to return to draught cattle for farm work.
This year, a fuel price spike forced farmers to use the draught cattle again in the cultivation of seasonal crops.
Earlier, the cattle contributed to rural livelihood as they were beneficial to farming.  Rural communities shifted to mechanized farming later to accelerate the work. This year, the increase in fuel price made farmers increasingly use draught cattle in crop farming. The rural farmers do not dare to take a risk in farming so they reduce the cost of agricultural inputs.
The yield rate is pretty high on account of favourable weather conditions. The farmers are doing well, said U Aung Naing from Pwintbyu Township.
Chinese traders purchased cattle from the villages in Magway Region in the previous years, hiking up the cattle prices. At present, a halt in live cattle trading brought down the prices. Thus, farmers can reuse the draught cattle in farming activities. — Htet Arkar/GNLM