Agriculture & Forestry
From The Report: Myanmar 2016
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The agricultural sector continues to play an important role in Myanmar’s economy, generating 24% of GDP and 24.6% of export earnings. The industry presents a number of industrial and productive opportunities that, if properly nurtured, could help the country regain and even surpass much of its former standing as a lead producer in the region. To do so, however, will require significant investment in the sector, greater mechanisation, the provision of better financing for farmers, as well as clearer land rights. After years of under investment and a near total drop in exports, the country is rewriting its laws, establishing initiatives to boost production and yields, and encouraging foreign investment. Given Myanmar’s abundant agricultural resources and the role the sector can play in developing the country, it is likely that these initiatives will take priority. This chapter contains an interview with U Thadoe Hein, Managing Director, Myanmar Awba Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Regrowth: Opening the sector and investing in productivity
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The historic importance of agricultural production in Myanmar’s economy continues to hold strong in the wake of recent economic reforms and liberalisation. Indeed, the industry presents a number of industrial and productive opportunities that, if properly nurtured, could help the country regain and even surpass much of its former standing as a lead producer in the region. To do so, however, will require significant investment in the sector, greater mechanisation, the provision of better financing…

Analysis

Making a comeback: Reviving rice production and export
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Investment in Myanmar’s agriculture sector is beginning to see gradual results. Indeed, Myanmar is on track to double its exports of rice by 2020, increasing production from under 2m tonnes per year to over 4m tonnes. This level of overseas sales has not been achieved in 70 years, and hitting the target would indicate Myanmar’s return as a major player in the international rice markets. According to the World Bank, the country must first take a few important steps to achieve this goal. It must…

Analysis

Conserving the resource: As the economy opens up, Myanmar seeks to balance forestry exports with preservation
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The forestry sector has been vitally important to Myanmar. When the country was isolated by sanctions, the selling of logs and wood helped bring in desperately needed hard currency. Exports of forestry products in 2011, the year political reforms began, broke $1bn. However, since the reforms began, much has changed. Myanmar, now open, is less in need of simple foreign currency inflows. It has other priorities. At the same time, increased engagement with foreign groups, companies and governments has…

Interview

Sowing seeds: OBG talks to U Thadoe Hein, Managing Director, Myanmar Awba Group
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Interview:U Thadoe Hein How does development of agriculture in Myanmar compare to other countries in the region? U THADOE HEIN: Myanmar’s agriculture sector, like its other sectors, lags those of its peers in the region. Farming remains very traditional and primitive compared to neighbouring countries. The use of fertilisers and other inputs is only one-seventh that of Thailand and Vietnam. Thus yields are low and so is crop quality. Myanmar also lags behind in terms of processing of agricultural…