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Description |
The sector project will increase agricultural value added by improving irrigation and strengthening agricultural value chains in three regions of Myanmar's central dry zone (CDZ). It will support the development of district-wide agricultural value chains and the modernization of irrigation systems in Magway district of the Magway region, Shwebo district of the Sagaing region, and Meiktila and Yamethin districts in the Mandalay region during a 7-year implementation period. The irrigation system rehabilitation and modernization component will cover about 20,000 hectares (ha) and benefit about 24,000 households. Parallel to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project, cofinancing from the Agence Fran aise de D veloppement (AFD) will strengthen local, regional, and national capacity for integrated water resources management (IWRM). |
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Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy |
The Central Dry Zone (CDZ) region, straddling large parts of Mandalay, Magway and lower Sagaing divisions, is one of the most food insecure, water-stressed, climate sensitive and natural resource poor regions in Myanmar. The CDZ region has the second highest population density in Myanmar but remains one of the least developed. Access and availability of water resources are key determinants of rural poverty with livelihoods largely dependent on the southwest monsoon. Principal crops in the CDZ consist of oil seeds and legumes, chillies, and vegetables grown as rainfed, upland crops during the wet season. Rice cultivation depends on irrigation, even during the monsoon season. Seasonal water shortages caused by low and erratic annual rainfall patterns and sandy and fragile soils that are at high risk of water and wind erosion limit paddy rice cultivation, render rainfed agriculture a high risk endeavor, and contribute to low agricultural production. Under such uncertain climatic and rainfall conditions, the provision of functional canal irrigation systems is critical to safeguarding crops. Stimulating and developing agricultural value chains will help ensure balanced, integrated rural development and income growth for farmers in the CDZ. Improvements in the value chains through research and development and extension delivery of improved cropping systems that increase the production of pulses, oilseeds, and other non-rice crops are necessary to raise both on-farm and off-farm agricultural productivity. A predictable water supply is key but only a part of the solution. Along with improving access to irrigation, a broader focus on integrated value chain development will help enhance the production base and ensure that farmers have more access to production credit and quality seeds and other farm inputs at reasonable prices. |
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Impact |
Food security for domestic consumption and higher nutritional value by all citizens attained
Socioeconomic status of rural people through increased agricultural productivity enhanced
Food security for domestic consumption and higher nutritional value by all citizens attained
Socioeconomic status of rural people through increased agricultural productivity enhanced
Quality and standard of agricultural products to compete in international markets improved
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