Supporting special rice production in central dry zone
The project was implemented in a region where natural events such as droughts, floods, pest infestations as well as limited agriculture and financial inputs are major risks to food security and where the recent effects of climate change are worsening the situation. The Central Dry Zone is considered one of the poorest and most backward areas of the country. Its chronic food deficit is aggravated by weak infrastructure, harsh climate, shortages of water, inadequate farming inputs and lack of access to land.
Early recovery efforts and medium-term development are being pursued in the cyclone-affected areas. More attention needs to be given to these rice-deficit areas through appropriate measures such as provision of irrigation water, introduction of suitable high yielding varieties and rehabilitation of upland rice farming to attenuate soil degradation.
Myanmar has a considerable potential for increasing competitive advantage in rice production and is well endowed with water resources, only five percent of which is utilized.
Achievements
21,070 marginal and small-scale farmers have directly benefitted from the Project activities. The Project has also indirectly benefitted a large number of rural households.
Sustaining crop intensification in the Ayeyarwady Delta and Central Dry Zone of Myanmar
Two hundred and sixty seven farmer field schools (FFS) and 264 demonstration plots (DP), jointly with three seed multiplication groups (SMG), have been implemented with six partners in 124 villages located in 73 village tracts of ten townships. Training involved 21,070 farmers on specific needs of each FFS. Participating farmers received MT 78 of registered and quality declared rice seeds of 19 different locally improved High Yielding Varieties suitable for specific agro-ecological zones.
In addition, MT 33 of quality seed of pulses, sunflower, potatoes, cotton and vegetables, jointly with fertilizers and other inputs, were de livered to the FFS, SMG and DP together with training in improved technological packages. As a result, rice yield has increased by approximatively MT 0.6 per acre. Twenty five women Nutrition Classes (WNC) were formed, involving a total of 948 women. Training covered basic nutrition, cooking demonstrations, and simple techniques for food preservation and processing.
Different types of vegetable seeds were distributed and cultivated in the home gardens or in the field with good results in terms of production/food security, improved diet, and cash availability. Selected FFS were provided with farming equipment such as drum seeder, thresher, etc. to enable the groups generating additional income used to increase the capital of the group and to provide loans to members.
Rehabilitation and sustained operation of water harvesting and small-scale irrigation schemes in the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar
Jointly with the Irrigation Department of MOAI, the project rehabilitated 9 community water reservoirs in 9 villages of Yamethin and Pyawbwe Townships. As a result, a total area of 1,804 acres is under irrigation, covering 748 farmers. Considering that the rainfall in the dry zone is generally well below the optimal requirement, during the monsoon season the water stored in the reservoirs is used for supplementary irrigation for rice, with an estimated increase in production of MT 0.7 per acre.
During the dry season, this water allows the cultivation of cotton, vegetables, pulses, maize, sunflower and other crops, generating more income and improving the nutritional status of the households. The water is also used by 7,500 people of nearby villages for household consumption and as well as drinking water for 5,600 cattle. In addition, the shallow aquifer is being replenished and is providing water for more than 220 shallow tube wells, which had dried up in recent years. The Project also drilled, cleaned and rehabilitated 118 shallow and 17 deep tube wells, and 13 observation wells in five townships. Air compressors, water pumps and pipes were provided to develop small irrigation schemes, covering a total area of 1,876 acres.
Capacity building, institutional strengthening and sustainability of Community Based Organizations
Training was provided to 21,070 farmers through groups established by the Project, namely: FFS, Water User, Seed Multiplication, Seed Bank and Revolving Fund Groups. The Project is supporting capacity building of line ministries and implementing partners through various training activities and workshops.
Effective partnerships among stakeholder organizations
Partnerships were established with implementing partners, Associazione Volontari peril Serviz io lntemazionale, Adventist Development and Relief Agency , Myanmar Heart Development Organization, Mingalar Myanmar, Department of Agriculture, MOAI, Irrigation Department, MOAI, which included arrangements for cost sharing. In addition, Water Resources Utilization Department (MOAI) Project staff participated in the local coordination bodies to provide technical advice and share information with other agencies, NGOs and stakeholders. The Italian government contributed to 2,213,000 USD.