Myanmar's Long Road to National Reconciliation by Trevor Wilson Page A
Authors: Trevor Wilson
Ads: Link
rural development policy.
There is a relatively high incidence of poverty in the marginal agricultural areas such as dry zone and hilly regions of Myanmar. Common characteristics of these marginal areas are a high rate of degradation of natural resources, unreliable rainfall, lack of proper irrigation systems, and other problems. It is vital to strengthen the current Integrated Rural Development Projects in these marginal areas in order to achieve sustainable agricultural productivity and improved equity, and for promoting stability.
The Fishery Sector
In regard to the fishery sector, Myanmar has a 2,800-kilometre-long coastline, with abundant fish and shrimp resources. There is huge potential for aquaculture and marine fisheries, but there are insufficient processing facilities and trained personnel.
The Forestry Sector
In the forestry sector, Myanmar still retains a substantial coverage of valuable forests. However, due to agriculture expansion, shifting cultivation, urbanization, and the use of fuels by households, deforestation has been estimated at around 15,000 hectares annually. The Forest Department has been carrying out re-afforestation at the rate of 30,000 hectares annually.
Like other developing countries, Myanmar faces environmental deterioration in various forms, depending on the particular agro-ecological zone. Due to deforestation, soil erosion occurs in many of the hilly and mountainous regions. Unsustainable farming practices, such as the practice of slash-and-burn cultivation, are major threats for environmental degradation. As a result, environmental protection programs are very essential for combating poverty amongst the rural population.
International Assistance
Compared to other developing countries, Myanmar has received relatively little international assistance; multilateral development agencies andbilateral agencies have provided only limited funds and assistance. But 2004 was encouraging for the agricultural sector as the OPEC Fund has agreed to provide US$12.3 million funding for a project on oil seed production. Since 1980, very little or no international aid or funding has been received for agricultural education, although Myanmar is an agricultural country.
Conclusion
Myanmar knows well the importance of agricultural and rural development, which is a key to social, economic, and environmental reform in Myanmar. The country is undertaking this heavy work-load mainly through its own efforts. With the help of international assistance, the development process would be more efficient and productive in the agricultural sector.
Note
1 T. Kudo (ed.),
Industrial Development in Myanmar: Prospects and Challenges
(Chiba, Japan: Institute of Developing Economies, 2002).
Reproduced from
Myanmar’s Long Road to National Reconciliation,
edited by Trevor Wilson (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2006). This version was obtained electronically direct from the publisher on condition that copyright is not infringed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Individual articles are available at http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg
Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development: Pathways to Improving Social, Economic and Environmental Conditions in Myanmar
Myo Win and Graeme Batten
“Anything can wait but not agriculture”
— Pandit J. L. Nehru
“Do not underestimate their [farmers’] knowledge and skill. Most of them are not lazy. They know the economic side of crop selection and operation. There are only a few points which they need advice from experts”
— U Ba Tin (1980)
Introduction
Sustainable agricultural and rural development are the foundation for developing agro-based industries, and are positive pathways for solving many of Myanmar’s current issues and challenges related to rural poverty, unemployment, human development, and associated malnutrition and rural
There is a relatively high incidence of poverty in the marginal agricultural areas such as dry zone and hilly regions of Myanmar. Common characteristics of these marginal areas are a high rate of degradation of natural resources, unreliable rainfall, lack of proper irrigation systems, and other problems. It is vital to strengthen the current Integrated Rural Development Projects in these marginal areas in order to achieve sustainable agricultural productivity and improved equity, and for promoting stability.
The Fishery Sector
In regard to the fishery sector, Myanmar has a 2,800-kilometre-long coastline, with abundant fish and shrimp resources. There is huge potential for aquaculture and marine fisheries, but there are insufficient processing facilities and trained personnel.
The Forestry Sector
In the forestry sector, Myanmar still retains a substantial coverage of valuable forests. However, due to agriculture expansion, shifting cultivation, urbanization, and the use of fuels by households, deforestation has been estimated at around 15,000 hectares annually. The Forest Department has been carrying out re-afforestation at the rate of 30,000 hectares annually.
Like other developing countries, Myanmar faces environmental deterioration in various forms, depending on the particular agro-ecological zone. Due to deforestation, soil erosion occurs in many of the hilly and mountainous regions. Unsustainable farming practices, such as the practice of slash-and-burn cultivation, are major threats for environmental degradation. As a result, environmental protection programs are very essential for combating poverty amongst the rural population.
International Assistance
Compared to other developing countries, Myanmar has received relatively little international assistance; multilateral development agencies andbilateral agencies have provided only limited funds and assistance. But 2004 was encouraging for the agricultural sector as the OPEC Fund has agreed to provide US$12.3 million funding for a project on oil seed production. Since 1980, very little or no international aid or funding has been received for agricultural education, although Myanmar is an agricultural country.
Conclusion
Myanmar knows well the importance of agricultural and rural development, which is a key to social, economic, and environmental reform in Myanmar. The country is undertaking this heavy work-load mainly through its own efforts. With the help of international assistance, the development process would be more efficient and productive in the agricultural sector.
Note
1 T. Kudo (ed.),
Industrial Development in Myanmar: Prospects and Challenges
(Chiba, Japan: Institute of Developing Economies, 2002).
Reproduced from
Myanmar’s Long Road to National Reconciliation,
edited by Trevor Wilson (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2006). This version was obtained electronically direct from the publisher on condition that copyright is not infringed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Individual articles are available at http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg
Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development: Pathways to Improving Social, Economic and Environmental Conditions in Myanmar
Myo Win and Graeme Batten
“Anything can wait but not agriculture”
— Pandit J. L. Nehru
“Do not underestimate their [farmers’] knowledge and skill. Most of them are not lazy. They know the economic side of crop selection and operation. There are only a few points which they need advice from experts”
— U Ba Tin (1980)
Introduction
Sustainable agricultural and rural development are the foundation for developing agro-based industries, and are positive pathways for solving many of Myanmar’s current issues and challenges related to rural poverty, unemployment, human development, and associated malnutrition and rural
Similar Books
