ABSTRACT
Myanmar was once the largest exporter of rice in the world. This is no longer true and, presently, domestic production has declined considerably relative to population growth. While Myanmar’s economy has been to some extent diversified, the agricultural sector, particularly the production of rice, has been dominant in the economy. Under such economic decline, the agricultural sector, especially rice production, has become a focus of attention not only as a measure of the economic well-being of the country but also because it is increasingly becoming a focus of basic needs issues with social, economic, and political ramifications. As far as increases in the price of rice are concerned, evidence indicates that the decline in per capita production of rice, the decrease in internal distribution of rice, and increasing inflation caused mainly by an increase in money supply are reasons for the recent rapid rise in the price of rice.
