Country could face critical rice shortage

Published on Friday 5 September 2008 22:20

BUSINESSMAN Paul Strachan warned that a lack of rice supplies could put the biggest strain on Burma's military rulers since the 1988 uprising.

"If farmers aren't able to plant a full crop of rice in the next few weeks, there could be a shortage within six months," he said.

It all depends on how much the junta has stored for an emergency, and whether the ordinary Burmese people will rise up in protest if supplies run short. About 80 to 90 per cent of the country's supply comes from the Irrawaddy Delta, and there has been a world rice shortage as well. If there is hunger in six months, the whole country will be affected, not just the delta."

He added: "The government depends on rice exports for foreign currency. I don't think ordinary Burmese have seen the potential problem. The leadership should be thinking about this. If there is this crisis, it could spread."