strategic for future agriculture in Myanmar

Strategic Choices for the Future of Agriculture in Myanmar:
A Summary Paper

prepared for USAID/Burma by Michigan State University (MSU) and the
Myanmar Development Resource Institute’s Center for Economic and Social Development
(MDRI/CESD)

July, 2013

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Strategic Choices for the Future of Agriculture in Myanmar:
A Summary Paper1

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This study was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Michigan State University and the Myanmar Development Resource Institute do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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Strategic Choices for the Future of Agriculture in Myanmar: A Summary Paper
Prepared by MSU and MDRI/CESD

1. Introduction
The Government of Myanmar (GOM) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI) face important decisions about the future direction of agriculture. Myanmar’s agricultural potential is enormous given the country’s resource endowments and favorable geographic location. As growing water scarcity constrains production around the globe, and particularly in neighboring China and India, Myanmar’s water resources will offer a significant agricultural competitive advantage. In addition, the country’s diverse topography and eco-systems enable farmers to produce a wide range of cereals, pulses, horticulture, fruits, livestock and fish.
Combined with its strategic location between two enormous regional markets, in India and
China, and easy access to buoyant markets in the Gulf, Myanmar’s farmers and agribusinesses find themselves well-positioned to succeed in regional and global agricultural markets. Thus, with rich natural resources (especially its major river systems), growing domestic and international markets, a stable exchange rate and

References: Deininger and Byerlee (2012), Haggblade, Hazell and Dorosh (2007), Lipton (2005), World Bank (2007). Table 1. Annual Rates of Agricultural Growth in Myanmar, 1985/86 to 2009/10 Area security for the poor. Roughly one-fourth of the national population – and 29% of rural households – falls below the national poverty line (IHLCA 2011) 70% of their income on food, and fully one-third of rural households borrow at some point during the year to purchase food (IHLCS 2010, LIFT 2012) efforts, up to half of rural households report inadequate food intake for over two months each year (MICS 2011, LIFT 2012) five, while malnutrition as measured by underweight affects similar numbers (MICS 2011).