Agriculture & Forestry
From The Report: Myanmar 2015
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An estimated 45% of Myanmar’s GDP is provided by the agricultural sector, which also employs 70% of the domestic labour force. Myanmar is well known for its rice and teak production, and is also a leading provider of rubber, oil seed, cotton, corn, chillies and pulses. A number of structural obstacles, including land rights, outdated techniques, inadequate infrastructure and low financing, have served to frustrate Myanmar’s agricultural sector in recent years. Despite these challenges, the sector holds great promise and potential for growth. Foreign trade and investment are seen as key to helping develop Myanmar’s rice production and milling industries, and several new agreements with regional neighbours should help the country move forward in coming years.

This chapter contains interviews with U Win Tun, Minister of Environmental Conservation and Forestry; and U Chit Khine, Chairman, Myanmar Rice Federation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Necessary reforms are under discussion to move the sector forward
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An estimated 45% of Myanmar’s GDP is provided by the country’s agricultural sector, which also employs about 70% of the domestic labour force. With Myanmar’s economy expected to grow 8.5% in 2014/15, according to the World Bank, the government hopes that reforms in the agriculture sector will contribute to higher incomes and job creation. However, despite various reforms under discussion, the huge potential for the sector remains untapped. Agricultural activity occupies only about 18% of Myanmar’s…

Analysis

Foreign trade spurs progress: Re-establishing Myanmar as a major regional rice producer
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Between the 1950s and 1960s, Myanmar was the largest rice exporter in the world. Today, it places behind world leaders Thailand and Vietnam. Even in rice production levels, fellow ASEAN nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines are yielding more than Myanmar. However, the potential is high for the land- and water-rich Myanmar to become a major regional rice player if it succeeds in upgrading its infrastructure and institutional support. In Figures The country’s rice is…

Interview

U Win Tun, Minister of Environmental Conservation and Forestry: Interview
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Interview: U Win Tun What investment opportunities exist in wood-based industries? What steps can Myanmar take to encourage further investment in timber processing? U WIN TUN: Recent reforms to the investment law have allowed forestry investors 100% investment in woodbased industries, which has increased foreign interest. In my opinion, Myanmar has to take action in order to move forward and encourage further investment into its timber-processing industry by developing an integrated supply chain…

Interview

U Chit Khine, Chairman, Myanmar Rice Federation: Interview
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Interview: U Chit Khine Recent reforms have put Myanmar back on the international investor map. What potential does it have to reclaim its title as the “rice bowl of Asia”? U CHIT KHINE: Recently we have noticed significant interest and increased investment from the international business community. Local investors are similarly expanding their investments, upgrading their facilities and enriching human resource potential in order to have better connectivity with the international marketplace.…