Early impacts of the Myanmar political crisis on rural farm households: Findings from March 2021

Abstract

Using phone survey data from March 2021, we found that the impacts of the recent political unrest in Myanmar further compound the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, both on the farm as well as on the non-farm rural economy. Within one month of the start of the political unrest, we observed the following: ▪ 10 percent of farm households experienced disruptions in accessing farm inputs in February, particularly farm machinery and inorganic fertilizers. ▪ Compared to their interactions with input markets, farmers face substantially higher disruptions in their engagements with output markets. Twenty percent of farmers were unable to sell their produce in February, with an additional 27 percent experiencing difficulties in selling or receiving lower prices than expected. ▪ 45 percent of non-farm enterprises experienced additional disruptions in February, further aggravating the economic downturn they had experienced due to COVID-19. ▪ 34 percent of respondents who normally engage in farm or non-farm wage labor experienced additional challenges in finding employment. In combination with the continued impacts of COVID-19, a total of 78 percent of workers now have no or less wage employment income. ▪ Respondents continue to report lower-than-usual consumption of meat and fish due to reduced incomes.