Burma: Officials Increase Loan Ceilings Lower Interest Rates to Tackle Rising Input Costs

Burma (also known as Myanmar) authorities in Naypyitaw raised loan amounts available to farmers to combat rising costs for fuel and fertilizer. The Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank is providing loans at below market rates in an effort to finance crop production and machinery purchases. Local stakeholders remain concerned about program effectiveness and the ability to address rural problems from rising input costs amid low global commodity prices.