Initiate a good plan for farmers to boost production

MYANMAR is a country that primarily pursues an econ­omy based on agriculture and livestock breeding. When the agriculture and livestock sector develops and rural people’s incomes increase, rural areas will become more devel­oped, which in turn will contribute to the overall growth of the national economy.

As the majority of rural residents mainly depend on agricul­ture and livestock activities, plans will be implemented to enhance farmers’ living standards and promote the development of rural areas. The Ministry of Fi­nance and Revenue, through the Myanma Agricultural Development Bank, is pro­viding annual agricultural input loans and development loans at concessional interest rates to ensure that farmers across Myanmar have access to necessary capital for cul­tivation. In addition, as part of the government’s 100-day “Quick Win” programmes starting from 20 April 2026, the Ministry has included a plan to increase the amount of agricultural input loans dis­bursed to farmers.

Accordingly, in disbursing agricultural loans to farmers, the interest rate will remain unchanged at five per cent per annum, while loan amounts will be increased depending on the type of crop. For pad­dy, wheat, and long-staple cotton (for seed production), the current loan rate per acre will be raised from K150,000 to K300,000. For 18 other crop types, the per-acre loan rate will be increased from K100,000 to K250,000. In ad­dition, for sesame, canola, and jute, the per-acre loan rate will be increased from K100,000 to K150,000.

In addition, to support the establishment of agro-based indus­tries, farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs will be enabled to purchase necessary agricultural machinery at concessional interest rates. Loans will be provided at an interest rate of six per cent for equipment ranging from low-cost power tillers, water pumps, and irrigation pumps to higher-value machinery such as dryers, silos, and rice mills. The loan ceiling will be set at up to K300 million for one category and above K300 million for another category.

The programme to increase agricultural loans to farmers will commence on 12 May 2026 in time for the 2026 monsoon planting season. Farmers who have fully repaid their previous loans will receive the 2026 monsoon cultivation loans from the Myanma Agricultural Development Bank. It is stated with pleasure that the government’s programme to increase agricultural loans for farmers, which benefits the improvement of farmers’ livelihoods, is not only advantageous for farmers themselves but also contributes to the development of rural areas.