Tractor service providers in Myanmar: Early insights from the 2025 monsoon season

Ian Masias, May Thet Htar and Theingi Oo

No 124, Project notes from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Abstract: This note presents results from a July–August 2025 phone survey of 401 tractor service providers (TSPs)—who play a vital role in enabling timely land preparation and planting— offering early insights into the 2025 monsoon season. Key Findings • Acres prepared by TSPs declined by 12 percent compared to the previous year (11 percent in the Dry Zone, 17 percent in the Delta), largely reflecting weaker rice price incentives in the Delta and insecurity in the Dry Zone. • Lower demand for services was reported by 55 percent of TSPs compared to the previous year, and 40 percent faced operating restrictions, mainly due to securityrelated movement constraints – including new restrictions in Ayeyarwady. • Nominal service charges rose by an average of 16 percent from the previous year, driven by rising costs of fuel, repairs, and operators, along with reduced availability of these inputs. • Most TSPs (87 percent) extended credit to their clients, usually without interest, making them an important source of informal credit for farmers. • Cash flow problems affected 31 percent of TSPs, driven by declining revenues (50 percent) and rising operating costs (65 percent). Many coped by borrowing or selling assets. With high inflation, service charges likely failed to rise in real terms, adding to the financial pressures they faced. Recommended Actions • De-risk credit for mechanization services by sharing repayment risks or expanding access to affordable credit for farmers, reducing the financial burden on TSPs while maintaining access to services. • Improve mobility and security for TSP operations through greater transparency at checkpoints, fewer required permissions, and safer roads in conflict-affected areas. • Stabilize fuel and machinery costs and availability by facilitating imports, easing access to foreign exchange, and strengthening distribution networks to reduce operating pressures on TSPs. • Support training and retention of machine operators to address widespread shortages driven by outmigration and insecurity, ensuring service quality and machine upkeep.

Keywords: cash flow; monsoon climate; telephone surveys; tractors; Myanmar; Asia; Southern Asia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-09-18
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