HOME | SEARCH Soil and Land

Soil

Consequent to the wide range of climate and soil forming parent rocks, the soils of Myanmar vary considerably. But there are only three agriculturally important soil groups; namely, alluvial soils, black soils and red literatic soils:-

  • Alluvial soils occupy some 50 percent of the total sown area and are generally deep and variable in structure, ranging from sticky clay to sandy loam. These soils are located along the Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Thanlwin river basins, as a result of alleviation process. In lower Myanmar, the old alluvial soils are acidic.
     

  • Black soils occur in about 30 per cent of the area and are generally found in regions with an annual rainfall ranging from 20 to 40 inches. Agriculture has to be aided by irrigation on such soil, while at the same time drainage and erosion are serious problems. These soils contain 40-60 per cent clay and are plastic and sticky when wet and very hard when dry.
     

  • About 20% of the total sown area are of red literatic soils which are generally associated with undulating topography and having an annual rainfall ranging from 40-120 inches. These soils are low in lime and magnesium and deficient in nitrogen. Available phosphate and organic matter content are also relatively low.

With the exception of rich alluvial flats along the main rivers and their tributaries plus the Ayeyarwady delta area, the soils of Myanmar are generally low in organic matter and nitrogen. Status of available phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O) in most of the soils are found to be fairly high, but additional dosages of these nutrients are necessary for yield increase of crop, and in particular high yielding varieties.

Recommendations as to choice of fertilizer combinations, together with soil amendment practices, for respective localities and type of crops to be grown, are made available by the Soils and Chemistry Division, of the Department of Agricultural Research. So far there is no serious problem with regard to soil pH (i.e. the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the soil). Typical measures so far adopted, in overcoming the problem, have been the use of a choice of tolerant varieties in conjunction with appropriate combination of fertilizers, with a view to generate neutralizing effects on high or low pH soils.

 Land Utilization

 The following table shows Myanmar's present status of land utilization:-             See Table

As of the above table, the exclusion of reserved forests, other forests and unclassified land unsuitable for crops, leaves the total sum of net sown and fallow areas as current areas available for cultivation. Fallow areas fluctuate, as some are left uncultivated for certain periods, as part of a well-defined rotational system, practiced for soil conservation purposes. They normally come under crop production again, following the dormant period.

Land Potential

Currently, available cultural waste land remains nearly as much as the area under cultivation. And with a view to accelerate land development, rights for participation in agriculture, livestock farming and rice-fish systems are being increasingly granted in localities all over Myanmar. Land utilization status of net sown areas by State & Division in 2004-05 are furnished as follows:-

         See Table

Land potential on the basic of their respective soil types and agro-climatic conditions are considerable. Their locations, extent and adaptability to various crops are given below:-

            See Table

The current net sown area (10.52 million hectares) constitutes about only 15 percent of Myanmar's total land area. Consequently, there still exists an equal extent of 6.86 million hectares of fallow and culturable waste for further development. Measures instituted for land development as at the end of 2004-05 was:_ The map in the next page depicts the potential area of fallow and waste land in each State and Division in 2004-05.

A Central Committee for the Management of Culturable, Fallow and Waste Land, conferred with powers to grant rights for agricultural purposes had been in force since 1992. Reaction of the private sector had been in force since 1992.Reaction of the private sector had been satisfactory from the very beginning, but gathered accelerated momentum in 1998. The Government while relaxing limitation of extent in deserving cases, has accorded strong administrative support and other incentives as land preparation, technology, fuel etc. The participation of individuals, associations and cooperated agencies have been encouraging. In bringing in numerated areas into productivity, 0.83 million hectares (2038609 acres) for agricultural development.