A Sustainability Assessment of Dryland Agriculture Practices in Myanmar and Their Impact on Local Livelihoods

Abstract

Agricultural practices are essentially an important tool for the basic needs of rainfed farmers in dryland areas. In the Dry Zone of Myanmar, dryland dwellers rely on rainfed farming for their food security and for earning income. This study explored the existing farming systems and agricultural practices in the Dry Zone and the social, economic and environmental consequences of these agricultural practices and made recommendations for more sustainable practices for the improvement of the area. The study gathered information from 77 rainfed farming households through surveys, in-depth interviews and site visits. The sesame-pigeon pea cropping was found to be the main cropping pattern of the Indawkyawe village. The study, reveals that the majority (88.3%) of respondents were to some extent following sustainable agricultural practices while the remainders were following unsustainable agricultural practices. Using oneway ANOVA, the study found that there were statistically significant differences among the three ‘levels of sustainability’ groups of agricultural practices in regard to income from agriculture, and the productivity of sesame and groundnut (p < 0.05). Although present agricultural practices are following resource conservation practices, the study found that not only sesame based cropping, but also drought tolerant crops and improved varieties should be introduced to supplement food sufficiency and improve livelihoods.