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Overcoming Isolation: An Exploration of the Rapid Growth in Pulse Exports from Myanmar

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Listed:
  • Boughton, Duncan
  • Haggblade, Steve
  • Kham, L
  • Kongabaugh, Steve
  • Thaung, Myo

Abstract

Pulse exports from Myanmar have grown into a $1 billion export industry in the 25 years since liberalization. As the first major agricultural sector to be liberalized in 1988, pulses offered uniquely attractive returns to both smallholder farmers and traders in the early years following government decontrol. By 1991, pulses had surpassed rice to become Myanmar’s most valuable agricultural export. This paper examines how private sector traders in Myanmar managed this exceptional feat, despite financial sanctions, acute limitations on all forms of communication and information flows and with the weakest rural infrastructure in South East Asia --- all hangovers from Myanmar’s three decades of international isolation and underinvestment in agriculture. Yet critical barriers remain that could eventually undermine Myanmar’s global competitiveness. Field interviews with key value chain actors in Myanmar between February and August 2014 form the basis for this market diagnostic.

Suggested Citation

  • Boughton, Duncan & Haggblade, Steve & Kham, L & Kongabaugh, Steve & Thaung, Myo, 2015. "Overcoming Isolation: An Exploration of the Rapid Growth in Pulse Exports from Myanmar," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 211365, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaae15:211365
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.211365
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fujita, Koichi & Okamoto, Ikuko, 2006. "Agricultural Policies and Development of Myanmar's Agricultural Sector: An Overview," IDE Discussion Papers 63, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO).
    2. Okamoto, Ikuko, 2008. "Economic Disparity in Rural Myanmar," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9789971693985, September.
    3. Akibode, Comlanvi Sitou & Maredia, Mywish K., 2012. "Global and Regional Trends in Production, Trade and Consumption of Food Legume Crops," Staff Paper Series 136293, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
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    Keywords

    International Development; International Relations/Trade;

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