Myanmar"s experience in rice improvement, 1830-1985

Production stability, profitability, sustainability, and equity are important issues in any rice production program. Myanmar experienced three distinct periods of rice production growth during the past 150 years under three administrations. The first period of growth occurred between 1885 and 1910 and was brought about by a rapid expansion of rice area; the second -- 1955-1965 -- brought back into production riceland that was abandoned during World War II. The third growth period -- 1975- 85 -- was generated by applying new technology in more favorable environments. The Whole Township Rice Production Program, a new extension approach, provided the main thrust for the third growth period. The program expanded rapidly with substitution of high-yielding rice varieties (HYV"s) for local varieties, coupled with increased use of chemical fertilizers. A multivariate regression analysis was made on data collected during the program years. A linear multivariate response function was estimated to account for the sources of increased yield. Eleven variables were found to contribute significantly to yield. The economic returns to the new technology were reasonably attractive in almost all rice environments, with better returns in more favorable ones. The third growth period has leveled off due to the leveling off of the area planted to HYV"s and to the static consumption of fertilizers. Analysis suggests that a new technology development and transfer system will be necessary to raise production. The area with immediate growth potential, about 50% of the total rice area, has already been exploited, and it will be necessary to extend new technologies to areas with future growth potential, estimated at about 40% of the total rice area, which are mostly in the hands of resource-poor farmers. A thorough understanding of the future growth potential areas as well as of the farmers who live there is most important in designing approaches appropriate to these areas. The concept of farmer participatory research and extension -- a blend of an institutionalized knowledge system with that of the indigenous people -- should permit a technology to evolve that is truly appropriate to the area and to the people, ensuring production stability, profitability, sustainability, and equity. (Author abstract)