APRG sets 9-kg standard for paddy baskets in Arakan

By Admin 11 Nov 2026

DMG Newsroom

11 November 2026, Kyauktaw

The Arakan People's Revolutionary Government (APRG) issued a directive on November 10 establishing a uniform measurement standard for paddy trading in areas under Arakan Army control.

Under the new standard, one basket of paddy must not exceed 9 kilograms or, where weighing equipment is unavailable, 55 condensed milk tins.

Starting with the current harvest season, paddy transactions must use the 9-kilogram weight limit per basket. In areas without weighing equipment, traders may use a volumetric measurement of no more than 55 condensed milk tins per basket, provided both buyers and sellers agree, according to the APRG announcement.

Local farmers welcomed the standardization, saying paddy buyers in Arakan State had previously used oversized baskets containing as many as 60 condensed milk tins.

"Farmers invest a lot of capital to cultivate their land. But when buyers come with oversized baskets, three-quarters of an acre fails to yield even 100 baskets of paddy. Establishing a uniform standard like this brings great benefits to farmers," said a farmer from Teinnyo Village in Mrauk-U Township.

Farmers said that although a 52-tin basket had previously been used as a benchmark, buyers frequently used larger baskets capable of holding up to 60 tins.

These varying measurement practices have caused confusion over trading terms, price fluctuations and difficulties in paddy transactions.

The United League of Arakan (ULA) established the standard to help ensure fair returns for farmers and reduce their financial losses.

A farmer from Kyauktaw Township said: "Setting a standard benchmark for paddy trade is good. However, authorities need to destroy the oversized baskets currently in use and distribute standardized measurement baskets. Otherwise, we will still encounter buyers using oversized baskets during the harvest trade."

The APRG has instructed relevant government departments, committees and commissions to enforce the standard and urged the public to adopt the uniform measurement system.

As the harvest season begins in Arakan State, early-maturing paddy is currently fetching nearly K800,000 per 100 baskets in local markets.