2. TheFarmlandLaw
(TheFyidaungsuHluttawLsw No. Il n}n)
(f,he8thWaxingDayTagu,1373M"E)
(30ftMarch,ZfiI})
ThePyidaungsuHluttawherebyenactsthisLaw.
ChapterI
Title, EnforcementaudDefinition
1. This Law shallbecalledtheFarmlandLaw.
2. This Law shall comeinto force on thedesignateddate
by notificationof thePresident.
3. The following expressionscontainedin this Law shall
havethemeaningsgivenhereuncier:
(a) Ftrmtand meansland definedas low land (paddy
land),upland(Ya), silty land (Kaing Kyun), hill-
side cultivation land (taungyar), perennialcrops
land, nrpa palm land(Dhani), garden land or
horticultural land and alluvial land. In this
expression,housings, religious buildings and
precincts within town boundary and village
boundaryand communalland which are not used
for agriculturearenotincluded;
O) Low Land (Paddy Land) mpansland on which
pddy is mainly cultivatedandcaniedout so asto
retainwaterafterobtrining thewaterfor cultivation
by naturalor artificial,menns;
4. No.
Contents
Particular
The Farmland I-aw
ChapterI
Title Enf,orcementad Definition
2. ChapterII
Fennissionto Use theFarmland
3. ChapterIII
Rightsof FersonwhohastheRighth Urc
theFarmhnd
4. ChapterIV
T,enTsandConditionsto beComplied by
the persm wbohastheRightto Useth Famland
5. CtrapterV
Formaiionof rheV-ariousi,eveisof
AdministrativeBodyof theFannlad,
6. ChapteryI
DutiesandpowexEof theCenfal
AdninisnaaiveBodyof theFarmland
7. ftapterVll
TakiqgAction for theFaiftue-toCoryly
TermsandConditions
8. ChaprerVItr
$pttlementof DisputeontheRigbt tnUse
theFarmlandandAppeal
ChapterIX
IndemnitiesandConpensations
ChapterX
Utilization of Famland
t
Page
13
t6
r0
12
t7
9.
10.
19
5. 3
(iii) a person who personally works or who
supervisesthruughoutthe courseof business
by capitalizing theinvestmentin orderto
produpe seasonalcrops, frorticultural crops,
perennial cmps or cornmercial livestock
breedingby usingtheland;
(iv) a person who participetes in businesses
relatiug to agriculhre and livestock breeding
by usingtheland;
(v) a peson who producessrrd sells seedlings,
seeds,breedsand offsprings by himself by
using the tand for agriculture, livestock
Srceding and the production connecting to
them;
(D Farmerhouseholdmeansmembersof a family of a
farmer, in which the fanner [s the head of the
household,who live togetherin that householdby
beingrelatedby bloodor by law;
(g) Head of the household means the head of a
household who leads the businessesin that
household;
6. 10
ChapterIV
TermsandConditionsto beComplied by thePersonvuhohas
theRight to UsettreFarncland
12. Thepersonwhohastherighttousethefarmland:
(a) shail cany out the farmlandas prescribed,in tiris
Law;
(b) shallpaylandrevenueandothertaxesleviedby the
Ministry relatingto thefarmland;
(c) shallregisterin therelevantTownshipDepafiment
by paying the sfarnpduty andregistrationfeesfor
the contract stipulated by the Deparfment in
carrying out sale,mortgage,lease,exchargeand
gift of theright to r.rserhefarmland;
(d) shal!registerin dhe.relevantTowl6f;lp DeBarrmen
in accordwith thestipulafionswhentheright to rse
the fafitrland is obtainedby inheritanceiaraccord
with theexistinglaw;
(e) shallhavetheright to mortgagethenght to usethe
farnland only for the purposeof invesfinentfor
cultivationandshalinrcrtgageit in theGovernment
Bankor theBankrecognizedby theGovernment;
(0 shall not trespassand carry out withourtbeing
grantedby therelevantAdministrativeBadyof the
Farrnland:
7. 1 1
shall not use the farmland by other means without
permission.
shall not changethe onginally cultivated orop with
otherkind of crop,without perrnission;
(i) shallnot be fallow the farmlandwithout sufficient
reason;
0) shallnot sell,mortgage,lease,exchangeor gift the
farmlandduringtheperiod beforehavingthe right
to usethefarmlandor duringtheperiodthedispute
arisesrelatingto therightto usethefarmland;
13. If the disputerelatingto the right to usethe farmland
aiisesafter*is L,awhascomeinto fcrcenit shallhavefllenght
to settlelegallyonly afterregistrationin theDepartment
14. Thepersonwho hastheright to usethe farmlandshall
not sell,mortgage,lease,exchangeor gift on thewholeor part
of the right to use the farmlandwithout permissionof the
Governme.ntto anyforeigneror ?nyorganizationin which the
foreigneris included
(e)
(h)
8. 12:
ChapmrV
Formationof thevariauslpvelsof AdmlihistrativeBody"oftbe
Farmlinnd
The[-tnionGovernment:
(a) shall form Central Adminierrative Body of the
Farmland including the Union Minister for the I
Ministry af Agricuilture arid Irrigation as the I
Chairman.the DepuryMinisrerfor the Ministry of I
AgricultureandIrrigationastheVice_chairman,the I
Director General af the SieffIementand X.and I
RecordsDepartmentsstheSerretaryandtheHeads I
of the relevant Government departmentsand I
arganizaticusasmembers;
I
(b) may re-forrr the CentralAdminisrrativeBody of I
the Farmlandformed under Sub-section(a)from I
timeto time. I
TheCentralAdnninistrativeBodycf theFannland: I
(a) shall fornni the fdtlowing various levels of I
AdministratiiveBodyof theFmmland;
I
(i) R.egianor StareAdministraiiveBody of the I
Farmland:
I
(iii DistrictAdminisrrativeB,odyof theFarmi*nd; I
,*,;#*T, Adnnin:trativeBody of -
15.
16.
9. 13
6v) Wardot Vil*geTrqs,t Adrs,]rrusrnatvebud_yot
theFarmland;
(b) may re-formthe variousleversof Adminisfrative
Bodyof theFarmlandformedunderSub_section(a)
fronrtimeto time.
ChaprerVI
DutiesandPowersof thecennarAdminisftativeBodyof the
17' The dutiesand powersof the central Administrative
Bodyof theFarmlandareasfollows:
(a) assigningdutiesandpowersof thevariouslevelsof
Regionor State,District, Townshipand Ward or
i Vi[age Tract Administrative Body of the
Farmland;
(b) guidingandsupervisingin respectof registrationof
theright to use thefarmland,issuingcertificateof
therightto usethefarmland,perrnittingtherightto'
usethefamnlandandsettliugthedispute;
(c) guiding and supervisingthe matterscarriedout in
respectof sale,mortgage,lease,exchangeandgift
of therightto usethefarmland:
10. 14
(d) revokingtheright to usethefarmlandof theperson
who is takenio anyadministrativeactionprovided
in Sub-sections(c)and (d) of Section lg, the
farmland which is inclusiveof Section3l and the
right to use the fannland of the person who is
convictedunderSection3?;
(e) confirming after scrutinizing the submissions
relating to the rural andurbanhousingprojectsof
the Region or StafeAdminisrative Body of the
Farmlandto usethefarmlandunderrequirementsto
constructhousingfor the growing populationand
increasinghouseholdsin rural andurbanareas;
(0 confirming after scrutinizingthe submissionof the
Region or State Administrative Body of the
Farmland in respect of the matter to use the
farmland for school,health care cenffe, hospital,
dispensary,library, village market, cemeteryand
oher requredbuildingsrelatingto thedevelopment
of thesociallife of thevillagepeople;
11. l5
(g) confirmingafter scnrtinizingttre submissionof the
Regionor stateAdministativeBodyof the'armlano
in nespectof flre matfer to use ttre farurlandin
consbuctingrice_mills,s0orehousesof crops,necessary
roadfor productionandinfrastuctureandin keeping
fhe necessaryfarm-mactrineriesrod equipmeutin
chaqgingover the systernof manualto mechanized
agriculturefor tlre developmentof the agricultural
sector;
(h) confirrningafter scnrtinizingthe submissionof the
Regionor StateAdministrativeBodyof theFanntand
in respectof the rnatterto usethe famrlandfor the
worlisof imprcvlngandconsolidafingthefa.-iniarrdCI
changeover the systemof manuatto rnechanized
agriculftrefor fie dwelopmentof agriculturalsector;
gaoting theright to usethealluviallandandlaying
down,guidingandsupervisingthepoticiesreiatingto
fherightof suchpersons;-
guiding and supervising irn respect of strifting
cultivation;
perforrning the duties assigned by the Union
Governmentin respectof thefannlandfrom timeto
time.
(d
0I
(k)
12. T6
18. The CentralAdministrativeBody of the Farmlandmay
empowertheappropriateAdministrativeBody of theFarmland
so that the value of the farniland is to be a proper and
reasonablerate underthe local circumstancein registeringat
the relevant Township deparhnentrelating to the bilateral
agreementexecutedin the presenceof the Ward or Village
TractAdministrationBody of the Farrrland for themattersof
sale,nortgage,lease,exchangeandgift of the right to usethe
farmlandundertheprovisionscontainedin thisla,ry.
ChapterVII
TakingAction for theFailureto Comply Termsand
Conditions
lg. If it fails to comply with all or any of the tenns and
conditions contained in Section lZ of ttris Law, the
Administrative Body of the Farmland appointed by the
Minisfy for this purposemay passthe following oneor more
order after scrutinizingin accordwith this Law andthe rules
issuedunderthisLaw:
(a) causingto paythestipulatedfine;
(b) causingto carry out the farmlandaccordingto the
stipulatedmeans;
13. ,,
t'
($ '"bxpelling
thedeservedperson,frornthefarrnland;
(d) reinoving the buildings conshucted without
pennissionon thefarsrland.
20. The AdministrativeBody of theFarmlandcontainedin
section 19 may, direct complaintto the relevantcou$ if it
exceedsthestipulateddatecontainedin suchorderif theperson
whohastheright to usethefarmlanddoesnot cornplywith the
orderpassedunderthis section.
2L. If thepersonwho hastheright to usethefarmrandtails
ro pay taxes ievied by the Minisfry, these taxes shall be
recoveredas the rurear of land revenuein accordwith the
existinglaws.
CbapterVItr
settlementof DisputeontheRighttousetheFarnlandand
Apeeal
22- Theward or vinageTracrAdministrariveBodyof the i
1
Fanntandopensanoriginalcase,of disputein respectof the II rightto usethefarmtandshallmike examination,hearingandI
decision.
I
14. JX,
l8
(a) The personwho is dissatis:fiedwith the order or
decision passedby the Ward or Village Tract
AdministrativeBody of theFarmandunderSection
22 may appeal to the relevant Township
Adminishative Body of the Farmlandin accord
with thestipularionswithin 30daysfrorothedayof
suchorderor decision.
(b) The Township Administrarive Body of the
Farmlandmay approve,amendor cancelthe order
or decisionpassedby the lVard or Village Tract
AdministrariveBodyof theFannland.
]
(a) The personwho is dissatisfiedwith the order or ]
decisionpassedby the TownshipActministrative
I
Body of the Farnrlandunder Sub-section(b) of I
Section 23 may appeal to the relevant District I
Administrative Body of the Farmlandin accordI
with thestigularionswithin 30daysfrom thedayof I
suchorderor decision. |
|
(b) The Disrrict AdministrativeBody of the Farmlard I
mayapprove,amendor canceltheorderor decisionI
passedby the TownshipAdminisrative Body of I
,heFarm'Iand
I
24.
15. 25"
T9
(a) The personwho is dissatisfiedwith the order or
decision passedby the Distict Adminisfiative
tsody of the Farmlandunder Sub-section(b) of
Section24 may appeatto the releva4tRegion or
State AdnninistrativeBody of the Farmland in
accordwith the stipulationswithin 60 daysfrom
thedayof suchorderor decision,
O) The Regionor StareAdministrariveBody of the
Farmtrandmay approve,amendor cancelthe order
or decisionpassedby the District Administrative
Bodyof theFarmland.
(c) Thedecisionof theRegionor stateAdministrative
Bodyof theFarmlandshallbefinal andconclusive.
rndemni*":X1ffi*sations
26. Nofwithstandingcontainedin any existing law, the
cenga! AdminisEativeBody of the Farmlandsha[ coardinafe
as'oay be necessaryin respectof givind compensationnot]o
grieveabsolutelyfor thernafferscarriedout by thepersonwho
hastheownershipright to use the farmlandincludingtheland ,
confiscatedfor theinterestsof the stateor the pubtic interestsj
and developmentby building on suchland and managingUy /
othermeansbythererevant.
- l.^
16. 2.
(cl Alluvial Land meansunsrableland submerged
underwater and altmedsoil textureand slructure
by yearlywatercumerrt,
(dll Right to usethe fannlandmeansThe State,being
the original of all Land, right to usethe farmland
meansto cultivateand usethe land by keepingin
possessionin accmrd with this law, laws,
regulationsand by.lawsissuedunderthisLaw in
order to irnprove agricultural production of the
farrnland, However the right for extraction of
natural resources such as gerns, minerals,
petroleumandgasahoveandbelowthegroundare
excluded.
(e) Fampr meansa personwho correspondswith any
of thefollou'ings:
(i) a personwho personallyworks or who has
beenpersonallyumdcontinuouslyworkingthe
agricultureor liuestock breedingor both by
usingthelard aslh"ismainlivelihood;
(ii) a person who personally supervisesthe
agricultureor lir$,estockbreedingor both by
using the lnnd in respectiveyear ashis main
livelihood;
17. ,i{
20
27. The personwhoseright to usethe farmllandis re,voked
or the farmland is recoveredby the cenftar Administrative
Bodyof theFarmiandundersub-sectio,n(d)of sectionl? shall
nothavetherighttoenjoycompensation.
ChapterX
Utilization of Farmland
28- In respectof applicationto dter originally cultivated
cropsto others:
(a) The CentralAdministrativeBody of the Fannland
may permit to cultivate CIthercrsps in low land
(paddyland) after scrutinizingin nccordwith the
stipulationsso as not to affect ths sufficiency of
ncewhichis ttrestapecropof theState;
(b) TherelevanrRegionor StateAdrntnishativeBody
of the Farmlandmay, if it is to alter cropsin the
farmlandexceptlow land(paddylaurd),perrnitafter
scrutinizingin accordwith thestipuflations.
29. In order to usethe farmlandby othe*meansfor the
pu{poseof l0ng-termnationalinterestsof thestate,therelevant
Ministry that will implemontthe hugeprojecfmmay carry our
with the approvalof the union Governmentafter obtaining
remarkof theCentralAdrninistrativeBodyof theFarmland.
18. 2L
30. In respectof applicationto usethe farrnlandby other
meansfor theinterestsof thepublic:
(a) the CentralAdminisnative tsody of the Farmlnnd
may permit to use the low land(paddyland) by
other means with the recommendationof thei
Region or State Administrative Body of the
Farmland;
(b) The relevant Regron or State Governrnent
Organizationmay permit to use the farmlandby
othermeansexceptlow land fuaddyland)with the
recommendation of the Region or State
AdrninistrativeBody of theFarmland.
3I. TheCentralAdministrativeBody of theFarmlandmay,
ii ihe farmlantiis nqi pui iirio efieci asihe stipuiaie,imaiiner
within six monthsfrom the permitteddayor if thebusinessis
not completed within the stipulated period after having
pernnissionto usethe farmlandby othermeansunderSection
30.confiscatesuchfarrnland.
Chaper)il
Adminishationof theFarmland
32. In confiscatingthefarmlandfor theprojectsof the
interests,only therequiredminimum areashallbe
The project shall be implementedto completeas soon a
possiblewittun the prescnbedpenod anfiwhen the poiect i
not earrying out, it shall be retumed to the person
organizationwhichhastheoriginalright to usethefarmland.
19. 22
33. TheUnion Goverrumentor theauthorflryassignedby'the
Union Govermmentfor this purposeshall,exceptsummonsby
other means,continueto [<eepnot to damagepasturesund
comrnunallandof thevillage'
34. In resXrectof vacaltt,fallow and virgin lands that are
permitted to carry out CIruse for agricuttureand livestnck
breedingbusinesses,wheruthe cultivation and production of
cropsisstabtre,theCentra|lComrnitteeforthernanagerne
vacant,fallow arrdvirgin landsshali alter and stipulateasthe
farrnlandandaauseto involvein thisLaw'
ChaPterXII
Offe,ncesandPenalties
35. Any personwho hastheright to usethe farrnlandfails
to comply wtth theorderpassedunderSection19or the order
or decision passedin the dispute of the right to use the
fannlandunderthisLaw 5hall,onconviction,bepunlshedwith
imprisonmentfor a rninimiurnnof six monthsto a rnaximumof
two yearsand shall alsobe liable to fine Fora minimum of
threehundredthousandkryatstoarnaxirnurnoffivehund
thousandkyats.
20. 23
36' Thepersonwho is convictedof failing to connprywittl
theorderpassedundersection19shair,if previousryconvicted
with the same offence, be punished with maxirnum
imprisonrnentcontainedin section 35 for the subsequent
offence.
37. Any perscnwho has the right to use fhe farmland
breachesandcommitstheprcrhibitionscontainedin section t4
shail, on conviction,be punishedwith irnprisonmentfor a
rninimumof clneyear to a maximumof threeyearsand shatrl
aiso be fiabie to fine not ressthan one milrion. Moreover,
money anrJ properties relating to the offence shall tre
confiscated.
fahan+er YTIIv^!*rwr lrry
Miscellaneous
38. The Fanner organizationmay be formed as Laws
providedfor thesocio-eeonornicdeveloprnentof thefarmers.
39. The members assigned in various levels of
Administrativetsody of the Farmtrandforined underthis Law
shall be deemedas civitr servantsund.erthe inteqpretation
containedin sectionzr af thecode of criminatprocedure.
40. Napraeeedingsshallb*fil*datanycouftforanyrnatrer
carriedout in goodraith in accordwith this Law or rulesrnade
under this Law to fhe members of various levels of
AdrninistrativeBodyof theFarmland.
21. 24
41. The offencefired under section 37 is determinedas
cognizableoffence.
42' In implementingtheprovisionscontainedin thisLaw:
(a) the Minisny may issuerules, regulationsand by-
lawswith theapprovalof theunion Governrnentif
necessary;
(b) the CenhalAdminisharive Body of the Farmland
and the Department may issue the necessar
notificationsoorders,directivesandprocedures.
4a - The, {sl!s-,ri:r.p l-a-wr anc ropeale0by UtfS LaW:
(a) TheLandNationalizarionAct, ISSJ:
(b) TenancyLaw,1963;
(c) PeasantrsRightFrotectionl_,aw.1963.
I herebysign underthe constitution of the Republic of the
[Inion of Myanmar.
Sd/TheinSein
President
TheRepublicof theUnionof Myanmar
22. (h)
+
Development by building meam$improvement
which causesto increasethe valueof the fiirmland
permanentlyby theexpenseor by theserviceof the
personwho hasthe right to usetfuefarmlandor of
other persons who have fte rlght to use the
farmlandbeforepossessionof thdtperson.In that
expression,buildingfor thepersonwho carriesout
thefarm to live or to supportthefil[rmactivitiesfor
irrigation and drainage,irrigaticn canals, lakes,
wells, embanhnents,roads and other activities
which4I99qqi4 99!!9!4lsevepgrgsseu{yese
included.However,land clearing;;for cultivation,
making paddy dyke and the actl'yitieswhich are
carriedoutto improvetemporarilyinreexcluded.
Guardian means the person appointed by the
relevantcompetentcourt to look after the person
who hasnot attainedageof rnatur,ttyor the person
of unsoundmind of the properfy of any of that
personor thepropertyandtheperssn;
Farmerorganizationrneansthefarmerorganization
formedin accordwith anylaw isswd to supportthe
developmentof ruraleconomy;
(i)
c)
23. 5
Ministry meansthe Ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigationof theUnion Government;
Deparment lneans the Settlement and Land
RecordsDeparhnent.
Chaptertr
Permissionto UsetheFarmland
4. Thepersonwho hasthe right to usethe farrnlandshall
apply for the right to use the farrnland to the Township
Deparfinent via the relevant ward or village fract
Adminisfrative Body of the Farmland in accord with the
ofinrrlotinn<
5. TownshipDepartmentshallscrutinizetheapplicationof
theright to usethefarmlandunderSection4 in accordwith the
stipulations and submit it to the relevant Township
AdminisftativeBodyof theFarmland.
6. Relatingto the farmlandsexistedon the dateon which
this Law comeinto force, TownshipAdministrativeBody of
the Farmland shall,with the approvalof the relevantDistrict
AdminisfiativeBody of the Farmland,issuethe certificateto
usethe farmlandto the following personor organizationafter
registation by paying regishation feps to the Township
Deparftnentin accordwith thestipulations:
(k)
(l)
24. (a)
6
if it is apetrson,
(i) the householdwhich hasthe right to usethe
fannlandshallbethehouseholdof thefarmer
or thernemberof thehousehold;
(ii) the headof the householdor the memberof
that household or the guardian of that
householdwho has the right to use the
farmlandshallbetheonewholegallycarrying
out the Land, at present,in accordancewith
lawsin forcebeforethislaw comesinto force;
(iii) heshallbethelegalbeneficiaryin accordwith
thistaw or in accordwith theprovisionsof the
n-fle Ca$fed ggt rrnrller-thie ! our .qtCf enaCting
this Law;
(iv) he shall attainthe ageof 18years;
(v) he shall be a citizen, an associatecitizen or a
naturalizedcitizen:
if it is an organization,it shall be the govemment
depathnent, governmental organization, non-
governmental orgauization, company or association
which hasttrenght to usethe fannland.
o)
25. 7
7. TownshipAdministrativeBody of the Farmlandshall,
with the approvalof the District AdministrativeBody of the
Farrnland,issue lhe certificate to use the-farrrland to the
following personor organizationafter regisftationby paying
theregistrationfeesto theTownshipDeparfinentin accordwith
thestipulationsrelatingto thefarmlandon whichright to useis
confiscatedandthe farmlandreclaimedby theStatefrom time
to timeafterenforcementof this law:
(a) if it is il person:
(t he shall carry out the agriculture.byusingthe
fannland;
i
(ii) he shail residein the relevantwdrd or village
uactif thereis no speciaireason;
(iii) heshallauaintheageof 18years;
(rO he shall be a citizen, an assoeiatecitizen or a
nfruralizedcitizen;
(b) if it is an organizatiotr,it shall be the government
departrrent, governmental organization, non-
governmentalorganizdqn, companyor association
which is actually des#us to cany out agriculture
in thefarmland.
26. 8
I' TownshipA&ninistrative tsody of the Farmlandrha'
issuethe certificateorfright to u$ethe farmrandto theperson
who purchases,transfprsor acceptsthegift of the right truuse
the farrnland or the person whn has the right to userttre
farmlandby inheritanceor thepersonwho appriestheright to
usethe farmrandin accordwith ffirisLaw after reclaimiry as
culti'atediandby havringtheright to carryout andusevasanl
fallow and virgin land after registration by paying the
regisffationfeesto theTownshipDeparh:nentin accordwidhthe
stipulationsof thislaw.
Chapt€rm
Rightsof Personw&ohastheRightro t_Iserle Fmlasd
g. Thepersonwho hasrheright to usethefarmrandshail
havethefottowingrights:
(a) right to have the fannland in possession,rigls to
usethefannland,right to eujoy the benefitadses
fromthisright;
(b) right to selil,mortgage,Iease,exchangeandgift on
thewholeor partof theright to usethefanntanditr
accordwith thestipulatedtermsandconditions;,
27. I
(c) right to acceptthedecisionof thererevantcourtin
accordwith the existingiaw if the disputearises
relating the inheritanceof the right to use the
farmland:
(d) right to use the farmlandso long as thereis no
breachof the stipulatedtermsandconditions;
(e) rightto usecorlmoninfierestwith theinvestmentof
village co*operativeor with the private investors
for fhedeveloprnentof agriculfurein thefarmland;
(0 right to usecofirmoninterestthefarinlandin accord
with the ForeignInvestmentLaw of the Republic
of theLJnionof Myanmarby cooperatingwith the
fnrsio-o. nr fha ^----.i-^+.i^* l- --,Li ^t- rr- - rrv4vr6uv. v! urw vrd;durl.d.LtrJu ur wlut ll ure rurglgner
is included.
10. Theprovisionscontainedin Sections4,5,6,,1,gand9 of .
thisLaw shalinotapplywith thegrantingof alluvialrand.
11. The grantingaliuvial randsshar!be prescribedin the
rulernadeunderthisLaw.