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A Strategic Agricultural Sector and Food Security Diagnostic for Myanmar

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  • Haggblade, Steven
  • Boughton, Duncan

Abstract

Despite its enormous potential, Myanmar’s agriculture has underperformed over the past fifty years. Today, per capita earnings in agriculture average roughly $200 a year, one-half to one-third of the levels achieved by its regional peers. Given that two-thirds of the population works primarily in agriculture, low farm productivity translates into high rates of poverty and food insecurity. Currently, about one quarter of the population falls below the national poverty line. As a result, in spite of national rice self-sufficiency, food security for many households and individuals remains elusive. Poor households spend over 70% of their income on food. In addition, fully one-third of rural households borrow at some point during the year in order to purchase food. Even after shouldering this heavy financial burden, up to one-half of rural households report having to navigate two months each year without adequate food supplies, leaving one-third of the country’s children stunted.

Suggested Citation

  • Haggblade, Steven & Boughton, Duncan, 2013. "A Strategic Agricultural Sector and Food Security Diagnostic for Myanmar," Food Security International Development Working Papers 161372, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:midiwp:161372
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.161372
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    Cited by:

    1. Belton, Ben & Hein, Aung & Htoo, Kyan & Kham, L. Seng & Nischan, Ulrike & Reardon, Thomas & Boughton, Duncan, 2015. "Aquaculture In Transition: Value Chain Transformation, Fish And Food Security In Myanmar," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 259027, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    2. Filipski, Mateusz J. & Van Asselt, Joanna & Nischan, Ulrike & Belton, Ben & Htoo, Kyan & Win, Myat Thida & Hein, Aung & Kham, L. Seng & Naing, Zaw Min & Payongayong, Ellen & Boughton, Duncan, 2017. "Rural livelihoods in Mon State: Evidence from a representative household survey," IFPRI discussion papers 1638, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Belton, Ben & Hein, Aung & Htoo, Kyan & Kham, L. Seng & Nischan, Ulrike & Reardon, Thomas & Boughton, Duncan, 2015. "• Aquaculture in Transition: Value Chain Transformation, Fish and Food Security in Myanmar," Food Security International Development Working Papers 230981, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    4. International Water Management Institute, IWMI, 2015. "Improving water management in Myanmar’s dry zone for food security, livelihoods and health," IWMI Reports 229586, International Water Management Institute.
    5. So Pyay Thar & Thiagarajah Ramilan & Robert J. Farquharson & Deli Chen, 2021. "Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-20, June.
    6. So Pyay Thar & Robert J. Farquharson & Thiagarajah Ramilan & Sam Coggins & Deli Chen, 2021. "Recommended vs. Practice: Smallholder Fertilizer Decisions in Central Myanmar," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, January.
    7. Herridge, David F. & Win, Mar Mar & Nwe, Khin Mar Mar & Kyu, Khin Lay & Win, Su Su & Shwe, Tun & Min, Yu Yu & Denton, Matthew D. & Cornish, Peter S., 2019. "The cropping systems of the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar: Productivity constraints and possible solutions," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 31-40.

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