A roadmap to building Myanmar into the food basket of Asia

• Support programs for farmer's multi-dimensional needs first have to be recognized and mechanisms to drive the support program must equally be recognized. Observation of the farmers share in the rice production chain is only 28%, with the rest enjoyed by traders, middle men, suppliers of inputs etc. This gap has to be narrowed so that farmer's shares of the "Rural Productivity Cake" can be increased.

• Individual farmers on their own are poorly equipped and vulnerable to the monopolist exploration of traders (Middle Men) as they do not possess collective or countervailing power to secure/bargain for a better economic return for their produce at the farm gate. More often than not they are at mercy of the traders/middle men and their logistics chain.
• From the viewpoint of rural development-the purpose for the development of agribusiness should be to strongly link rural small-scale farming communities with well developed supply chains in a sustainable manner. In this regard a Multi-Purpose Farmers Organization (MPFO) becomes the imperative link.

Myanmar's Grand Agri-Vision

Myanmar is a country blessed with an abundance of natural resources such as land, water and people. In addition to her geopolitical position between two mega countries China and India, the nation offers immense opportunities and potential in agri-business development, for food production and food security.

H.E U Thein Sein, President of The Republic of The Union of Myanmar in a speech in 20^th May 2011 has announced that the Government's priority is the alleviation of rural poverty and enhancing rural and national productivity income based on agri-business development in Myanmar.

This article highlights the various important sectors throughout the agri-business industry in Myanmar for rapid development. Important areas such as high yielding seed varieties, use of fertilizers, mechanization, improved land use and management as well as human resource capacity building for the agri-business industry of Myanmar is emphasized for both foreign and local investors. Individuals and firms engaged in agri-business could never find a better place than this golden land with a multitude of opportunities.

You are neither too late nor too early but just on time.