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Rice Production among Beneficiaries and Non-Beneficiaries of the Gulf of Mottama Project, Myanmar

Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL), Switzerland

Abstract

In Myanmar, farmers face so many problems in rice cultivation and get low profits due to low yield with high production cost. The Gulf of Mottama project (GOMP) is conducted in the Gulf of Mottama region, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation together with other local NGO and INGOs to conserve biodiversity and develop the local communities sustainably. This study aimed to explore current situation of rice production and socio-economic characteristics of project beneficiary and non-beneficiary households and to assess the rice cultivation practices, their constraints faced in rice production. This study investigated on the influencing factors on rice productivity. A household survey (n=106) by personal interviews with 59 beneficiary households and 47 non-beneficiary households who are randomly selected and focus group discussions were conducted in eight project targeted villages, during the period August to October, 2018. Key informant interviews were also carried out with 10 experts. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were used for data analysis. The study results show that rice production plays a very important role for the interviewed house because about 55% of their income comes from rice. About 80% of beneficiary households applied mineral fertilisers and about 14% of the sampled households used organic fertiliser (compost and farmyard manure). Seed quality problem was mostly found in non-beneficiary households. The rice productivity of the selected fields of sampled households was significantly influenced by being project non-beneficiary households, number of land preparation (tillage). Project beneficiary households get a higher yield and farmers get higher yields if they do only one tillage. The average productivity of the sample households was 39 baskets per acre. Although project farmers get higher yield and have more knowledge about sustainable production than non-beneficiary farmers, it is still needed to try hard to be economically and environmentally sustainable rice production. Most of the farmers have limited knowledge about agricultural inputs and especially on how to use them in the best way. This study indicates the need of further studies on current situation of rice production in different regions of Myanmar.

Keywords: Gulf of Mottama, myanmar, profit, rice production, yield

Contact Address: No No Aung, Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL), Bern, Switzerland, e-mail: nonoaung1992gmail.com