A study on agricultural technology transfer: The present status, problems and issues of the extension system in Myanmar
2004
Suzuki, S. (Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture (Japan))
Approximately seventy-five percent of the population in Myanmar resides in rural areas. Furthermore, sixty-three percent of the workforces are mainly engaged in agricultural production. However, agricultural productivity is low even though the agricultural sector is Myanmar's main industry. Therefore, the development of the agricultural extension system in this country is an important issue. Yet these facts, and the data related to them, are relatively unknown in Japan. This study attempted, through an in- country survey administrated by this author to identify the actual conditions of the agricultural extension system in Myanmar, examine it's problems and issues, and suggest countermeasures for it's improvement and upgrading. As a result of this study, the following observations were made. First, the focus of agricultural development in Myanmar is to increase the production of food through the diversification of crops and the qualitative development of agricultural products. Second, the government-initiated extension system is at the stage of "Extension by the exhibition and the course etc. of food improvement and commercial crop finding type". Finally, the main extension method uses exhibition plots with organized groups of farmers. Problems and issues of the extension system were pointed out as follows : (1) inability of agricultural agents to provide quantitative and qualitative guidance, (2) lack of transportation for contact between extension agents and farmers, (3) lack of communication between extension agents and farmers, (4) lack of financial support for farmers who face a shortage of funds.
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