Farm commercialization and farm services: Myanmar Agricultural Performance Survey (dry season 2025)

Prices of major crops declined substantially in the 2025 dry season compared to the previous year. Paddy prices fell by 15 percent, and most major non-paddy crop prices also decreased. The only major exception was green gram. With yields also declining nationwide, many farmers reported lower sales income: only 28 percent indicated that their sales income had increased, while a quarter reported declines of more than 20 percent. While output prices mostly fell, input prices continued to rise in the 2025 dry season compared to 2024. Urea prices increased by 18 percent. Mechanized plowing costs rose by 29 percent (for 4-wheel tractors), while hired labor costs surged by 47 percent for men and 43 percent for women. These sharp wage increases may partly reflect the introduction of the Military Service Law. Agricultural inputs were generally accessible during the 2025 dry season, reflecting the resilience of the private sector in delivering these products. Fewer farmers reported shortages of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds compared to last year. Use of agricultural credit declined during the 2025 dry season, falling from 45 percent in 2022 to 31 percent in 2025—a decrease of 14 percentage points. Agricultural extension services have rebounded. After falling by 5 percentage points from 39 percent in 2022 to 34 percent in 2024, usage rose again to 38 percent in the 2025 dry season. This recovery was driven by private extension services, and use of digital agricultural extension services also increased. Security challenges continue to hinder crop commercialization in Myanmar. Conditions vary across states and regions, with the Delta—the country’s rice bowl—experiencing relatively better security. Farmers in conflict-affected areas face greater obstacles to commercialization, including reduced availability of agricultural inputs.