Crop production and profitability in Ayeyarwady and Yangon

Cho, Ame; Belton, Ben; and Boughton, Duncan. 2017. Crop production and profitability in Ayeyarwady and Yangon. Food Security Policy Research Papers. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University. http://foodsecuritypolicy.msu.edu/uploads/resources/FSP_Research_Paper_66.pdf

Agriculture is central to Myanmar’s rural economy. Yet few detailed data are available on the characteristics of agriculture in this important area. The Myanmar Aquaculture-Agriculture Survey (MAAS) addressed this knowledge gap through a statistically representative survey of 329 agricultural households in Maubin, Nyaungdon, Twantay and Kayan townships in Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions, as part of a larger survey of 1,102 rural households. Based on these results, the following recommendations are advanced: (a) undertake benefit-cost analysis of improved drainage to allow increased paddy cultivation in low lying areas in the v monsoon season; (b) increase access to irrigation for dry season crops cultivation; (c) enhance access to improved varieties for all major crops; (d) identify pulses varieties that allow mechanized harvesting; (e) encourage crop and livestock diversification; and (f) improve the productivity and profitability of green gram production.