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The prevalence of different agro-ecological zones within the country has enabled the growing of over more than 60 different crops. In Myanmar's agriculture, cereal crops remains the most important group with its area constituting around 44% of the total crop sown area of 17431 thousand hectares (43073 thousand acres)(2004-05). And among cereal crops, rice as grown widely throughout the country claims a share of about 39 percent of the total crop sown area. It is followed by oilseed crops as the second most important next to cereals and with pulses and industrial crops ranking third and fourth respectively. Union level data pertaining to the sown area and production of different crop groups for crop year 2003-04 are given below table:
 

CROPPING SYSTEM
Area under multiple cropping, expanded significantly during the decades from 1960 to 1980. It was due to an intensive recourse to farm mechanization and increasing availability of irrigation water, with the completion of large scale dams. Increases, however, were slight during the 1980's, and 1990's, and the shortage of fuel for mechanization during those periods, may have been the main cause of hindrance. But with the inception of favorable price incentives for some crops, multiple cropping once again increased remarkably, from 1992-93 and onwards- and in particular second cropping of pulses registered sharp rises.

The following table shows the progressive increase of multiple cropping area form 1961-62 to 2004-05. See Table

The present trend of multiple cropping could be summarized as follows: -

     (a)   growing a pre-monsoon crop before the main crop in rice growing area (jute, cotton, sesame)
     (b)   growing of some suitable crops after rice (summer paddy, groundnut, sunflower, peas and beans)
     (c)   growing of two suitable crops in succession on dry land with or without irrigation (sesame, peas and
             beans, maize, etc.)
     (d)   mixed cropping of two crops with different life periods in the same field (sesame and pigeon pea,
             groundnut and maize, etc )

There are four main pillar crops- paddy, pulses, cotton and sugarcane -, for foreign exchange earning and self-sufficiency.

PADDY (RICE)

Rice and snacks associated with rice, constitute the main bulk of sustenance in the eating habits of Myanmar. Consequently, its per capita consumption at more than 200 kilograms per day, remains the highest among Asian nations. And as a prime requisite for local consumption and with the rising demand of a growing population, rice that currently contributes more than half of the total sown acreage, is grown all over the country, under different climatic conditions and varying topographies. Equally, it can be grown throughout the year, as possessing prominent adaptabilities to a wide range of grow conditions. The following table shows rice grow under different conditions during the 2004-05 crop year. See Table

Irrigated rice is grown where irrigation system exists and that are mostly in the country. But at present, the government is also engaged in constructing new dams, reservoirs and weirs in the lower parts of the country and it is evident that the irrigation networks are enhancing and gaining prominence in various places where "summer paddy" is being grown . More information on the " Summer Paddy Production Programme" is given in the later part of this chapter. Rice grown in saline areas are mostly found in the lower Myanmar, especially in Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Tanintharyi Divisions and also in Rakhine and Mon States . Deep water rice is usually grown in areas of some restricted belts in the Ayeyarwady Division, Bago Division, Tanintharyi Division, Rakhine, Mon and Kayin States.

Classification by Grain Size

Although there is no internationally recognized system of classification for rice varieties, the widely used and accepted method in Myanmar is the classification of five rice groups, based on length/breadth ratio of rice grains. 

Classification by Life period

Classification of rice is also undertaken on the basis of its life period from seeding to maturity . This system is more commonly adopted by the growers all over Myanmar, since labour requirement for planting and harvesting operations are often calculated on this basis.

Groups of rice which are classified according to their respective life periods and time of harvesting are as follow:-

      1.     Early Maturers (Kaukyin)

            Varieties with life periods less than 150 days . Harvested from October to November for rainy season rice and from February to April for summer rice.

      2.    Medium Maturers (Kauklat)

            Varieties with life period of 150 - 170 days . Harvest from November to December.

      3.     Late Maturers (Kaukkyi)

            Varieties with life periods exceeding 170 days . Harvest from December to January.

The sown acreage of rice groups of different life periods in 2004-2005, are shown in table :--


Situation of Rice

Myanmar ranked as a principal rice exporter during the pre-war era, with an annual export of around 3 million tons and attaining a level of 3.4 million tons in 1934. However, the post war period witnessed rising domestic demands as a result of population increased, had led to a gradual decline in surplus from existing areas and yields. The Special High Yielding Programme introduced in 1977-78, generated considerable increases in paddy production, but yet the prevailing levels of population indicate that there is a need for further continued efforts for the promotion of increasing paddy production.

Under the circumstances has according greater momentum to higher paddy production, rice was recently designated as the Principal National Crop- and all efforts have been focused towards the generation of a surplus in paddy production. A total of 6.86 million hectares (16.71 million acres) was put under paddy in 2004-05, furnishing a production of 24.72 million metric tons (1185 million baskets) of paddy, inclusive of the production of 4.4 million metric tons (211 million baskets) of summer paddy.

Concerted efforts are being made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation to meet the 14 million acre target of rainy season paddy, and at the same time attain a yield of 100 baskets. Farmers are being urged to grow rain paddy as early as possible, while inputs such as agricultural machinery, quality seeds, irrigation water, chemical fertilizer and pesticides are being made available adequately.

Summer Paddy Production Programme
One of the major achievements in promoting higher rice production in recent years has been the introduction of summer paddy on a large scale. The paddy grown between October and April can be generally defined as summer paddy.

It has been a significant endeavor not only for increasing paddy production but also served as an accumulation of additional income for farmers. The essence of summer paddy cultivation is to increase crop intensity by utilizing irrigation water. Weather and environmental conditions during the period favor growers to obtain higher yields, if packages of inputs such as effective cultivation methods, irrigation water, machinery, fuel for pumps and fertilizer can be fully utilized.

The programme started in 1992-93 with an acreage of 0.82 million acreage (0.33 million ha), returning an output of 45 millions baskets (0.94 million mt ). And with the experience gained in 1992-93, the achievement in 1993-94 was remarkably appreciable, due to the provision of all out efforts in boosting the country's paddy production. A critical factor in the progamme, however, is availability of adequate water, as in the rainy season. The limitation have been overcome with a resort to all ways and means possible, in making water available from rivers, streams and tube wells. Further, mechanized farm power is being brought into use, to avoid over taxing farm labour and Irrigation, at the same time, has been attentive to the needs of farm machinery and irrigation water support.

Expansion of High Yielding Varieties

Measures for increasing per acre yields of rice, embody packages of growing high yielder along with improved cultural practices such as better filth, correct planting and proper weeding. In responses to the innovations, 66 per cent of rain paddy now occupies High Yielding Varieties while the rest have to adhere to local varieties due to the topography and weather condition.

The recommended high yielding varieties and hybrid varieties being widely grown, for increasing paddy production are given in the next page. And as the use of high yielding varieties and high cropping intensities have emerged on one hand, there has also arisen a need for more chemical inputs and advanced technologies, on the other.

                    1.   Nant-the-mhway
                    2.   Lone-thwe-mhway
                    3.   Shwe-thwe-yin
                    4.   Hmawbi-2
                    5.   Kyaw-ze-ya
                    6.   Hybird-203
                    7.   Shwe-war-tun
                    8.   Zeyar
                    9.   Innma-yebaw
                  10.   Manaw-thukha
                  11.   Yadana-aung
                  12.   Thee-htut-yin

The following table shows the current situation of high quality rice growing area.

Quality rice varieties
Lone-thwe-mhway
Paw-sun-mhway
Nhan-gar-mee-gauk
Special Emata
(Innma-yebaw, Yebaw-lat)

State/ Division
Ayeyarwady, Bago, Yangon
Ayeyarwady
Ayeyarwady, Yangon
Bago, Yangon

 

Paddy - Fish Integrated Farming

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, at the same time, remains engaged in capital investment projects for the development of inundated areas in lower Myanmar. And in turn, measures are being taken for reclamation of abandoned land and necessary assistance rendered for appropriate crop productions.

In order to generate increased paddy production, paddy-fish farming in inundated areas form part of the changing technologies in Myanmar. Paddy-fish farming is being introduced in deep water areas where the cultivation of deep water paddy as a single crop even was an uncertainty. Paddy-fish farming has enabled the double cropping of paddy or paddy followed by other crops, while additionally permitting fish and prawn culture in the pond and breeding of animals on the bunds. The cultivation of paddy in functional paddy-fish farming ponds is found in Ayeyarwady, Bago and Yangon Division and Mon State with the total area of 4182 hectares (10333 acres).


OIL CROPS

Edible oil, in accordance with its traditional uses, also plays an important role in Myanmar. The oilseed group, includes crops such as sesame, groundnut, sunflower, mustard, niger, safflower, soybean and oil palm.

Annual average production of oil is about 1.85 million tons, extracted from oilseeds, excluding certain amounts for seedling, loss and wastage and other use.

Currently, about 0.2 million metric tons of edible palm-oil is imported while 80,000 metric tons of sesame is being exported. It, therefore, can generally be summarized that the annual consumption of edible oil in the country, stands at nearly 0.4 million metric tons.

Measures are being taken to increase local oil crops production, in order to scale down the imports of palm-oil, and curtail the outflow of foreign currency in importing edible oil.

In its direction for self sufficiency in edible oil, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is supporting and organizing area expansions of oilseed crops such as groundnut, sesame, sunflower, mustard, niger, safflower, soy beans, and oil palm. The contribution of the three major oil seed crops of sesame, groundnut, and sunflower was about 63%, 26%, and 12% respectively to the total area of oil seed crops as recorded in 2004-05.See Table

Among the principal oilseed crops, sesame as adaptable and feasible to different seasons and growing conditions occupies the largest growing area. Similarly, sunflower, possessing comparatively good oil contents, is adaptable to many locations.

The difficulty in acquiring sufficient seed groundnut and the accompanying high costs of production, remain constraints in the expansion of groundnut. Soybeans, on the other hand, has come into consideration as a new introduction for edible oil. Meanwhile, various measures are being taken for generating increased yield in oil seed crops with the provision of irrigation, quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.

As the yield of oil per unit area from oil palm is ten to twenty times more than other oilseed crops, its expansion is being encouraged in areas where soil and agro-climatic condition remain favourable. Currently the area under oil palm in Myanmar is 46194 hectares (114146 acres), and efforts are being made to develop a further 54267 hectares (134094 acres) by the year 2004-05 mainly through private sector investment.
PEAS AND BEANS

The cultivation of pulses do not pose much difficulty and are feasible on a large scale both in ya and paddy land. Normally, about 2 million acres (0.81 million ha) of pulses have been grown for many years. But with the liberalization in trade policies, the production of some peas and beans increased noticeably in response to market demands. The sown acreage increased to 8.7 million acres in 2004-05, and further measures are been instituted to enhance the acreage to a level of 8.8 million acres, in the near future.

The popular varieties for exports constitute matpe (black gram), green gram, pigeon pea, soy bean and pelun. And emphasis is being given for the expansion of areas under these varieties and also for the improvement of their grain qualities.
 
INDUSTRIAL CROPS

Concerted efforts are being made for the expansion and increased production of industrial crops comprising jute, sugarcane, long staple cotton and rubber, with a view to sufficiently meet the requirement of local industries and at the same time to generate increasing surpluses for export. Measures are being taken to increase per acre yield, with the provision of agro-climatically suited quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, dissemination of appropriate cropping practices and assistance for timely land preparations.

And in order to given more focus and direct bearing on respective crops, new institutions as the Myanma Cotton and Sericulture Enterprise, the Myanma Jute Industries, the Myanma Sugarcane and the Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise were established, and currently serve as specialized crop management agencies.