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Policy Evaluation and Monitoring of Agricultural Expansion in Forests in Myanmar: An Integrated Approach of Remote Sensing Techniques and Social Surveys

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  • Su Mon San

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Navneet Kumar

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS), United Nations University—Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), UN Campus, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Lisa Biber-Freudenberger

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Christine B. Schmitt

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Geography Section, University of Passau, Innstraße 40, 94032 Passau, Germany)

Abstract

Agricultural expansion is the main driver of deforestation in Myanmar. We analyzed the effectiveness of a national policy intervention on agricultural encroachment in state forests in Taungoo District in Myanmar from 2010 to 2020. The policy aims to stop agricultural encroachment and reforest encroached areas through farmers’ participation in an agroforestry community forestry. We applied an integrated approach that involved a land cover change analysis together with a household survey about encroachment behavior. The remote sensing analysis for the years 2010, 2015 and 2020 showed the land cover change pattern and an increase in agricultural encroachment from 9.5% to 18.5%, while forests declined from 62.8% to 51.9%. The survey showed that most farmers (91%) believed that the policy intervention did not lead to a change in their encroachment behavior or farm size. The main reasons that incentivized encroachment were stated to be livelihood needs, immigration due to marriage and increased accessibility due to road construction. The main reason for reducing encroachment was plantation establishment, leading to a loss of land for encroaching farmers. In conclusion, the integrated approach showed that the policy intervention did not decrease encroachment, whereas other factors influenced encroachment behavior. We recommend solving interministerial conflicts of interest related to encroachment in Myanmar and using an integrated approach for future studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Su Mon San & Navneet Kumar & Lisa Biber-Freudenberger & Christine B. Schmitt, 2024. "Policy Evaluation and Monitoring of Agricultural Expansion in Forests in Myanmar: An Integrated Approach of Remote Sensing Techniques and Social Surveys," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:150-:d:1327942
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank, 2019. "Myanmar Country Environmental Analysis," World Bank Publications - Reports 31889, The World Bank Group.
    2. World Bank, 2019. "Myanmar Country Environmental Analysis," World Bank Publications - Reports 31893, The World Bank Group.
    3. World Bank, 2019. "Myanmar Country Environmental Analysis," World Bank Publications - Reports 31891, The World Bank Group.
    4. World Bank, 2019. "Myanmar Country Environmental Analysis," World Bank Publications - Reports 31892, The World Bank Group.
    5. Soe, Khaing Thandar & Yeo-Chang, YOUN, 2019. "Perceptions of forest-dependent communities toward participation in forest conservation: A case study in Bago Yoma, South-Central Myanmar," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 129-141.
    6. Blackman, Allen, 2013. "Evaluating forest conservation policies in developing countries using remote sensing data: An introduction and practical guide," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 1-16.
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    1. Phyu Phyu Han & Win Min Paing & Masahiko Ota & Takahiro Fujiwara, 2025. "State’s Techniques and Local Communities’ Strategies in Land Contestations over Agro-Based Community Forests in Myanmar," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-20, February.

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