Villagers to grow rice on seized land in Yangon before port project starts

Up to 13 representatives of the affected farmers met with Sett Aung, deputy minister for National Planning and Economic Development, to discuss the issue on Sunday.

“About 70,000 acres of our village was grabbed for the Thilawa project. 

“As the project hasn’t started yet, we asked the deputy minister to let us use the land to grow rice this monsoon. 

He said we needed to get approval from the respective government departments, but at least he did not say ‘no’. So we have decided to grow rice this monsoon,” Mya Kyaing said.

Farms and land in the Alwansut, Thilawa, Phalan, Tatyarkone, Thidamyine and Payargone villages were seized as they lie in the area earmarked for the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, which is a joint venture between Myanmar and Japan. Thilawa project, which includes a deep-sea port, was described by regional authorities as a crucial project for the development of infrastructure in Yangon, the country’s commercial hub. 

“We told the deputy minister to offer us micro-credit to cover our costs as usual and he said he will ensure that everything is in order. We will grow rice, as the project hasn’t started yet. When it starts we will let them seize the land again. Deputy Minister Sett Aung has also pledged to give us fair compensation,” a farmer from Payargone village said.