| Country Partnership Strategy in Agriculture and Forestry Sector with Myanmar | |||
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| Author | Kim, Jongsun | ||
| Views | 45779 | Publication Date | 2021.03.15 |
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Background and Purpose ○ Agriculture is a backbone industry in Myanmar. However, its share in the gross domestic product is declining, and so is the rural population due to economic development and urbanization. ○Myanmar is a target country of Korea's New Southern Policy and a key partner for its international development cooperation projects. . Therefore, to further enhance the Korean government's overseas cooperation and development programs, it has to identify key strategic areas for development cooperation with Myanmar and execute those into action. Research Methodology ○This study used relevant policy reports, documents, and statistical data from the Korea Exim Bank and international organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to identify the current agricultural state, agricultural policies, and development cooperation with Myanmar. ○As it is impossible to conduct an on-site investigation amid the COVID-19 situation, we requested a survey on the value chain of the sesame and vegetable sector to the Department of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, from July to October 2020. We also conducted an online survey targeting eight local and 16 overseas experts on Myanmar from September 21 to October 23, 2020. The analytic hierarchy process analysis was used to understand the importance of each stage of the agricultural value chain and the significance of the lower indicators. We used the analysis results to establish an execution strategy for development cooperation with Myanmar. Key Findings and Implications ○The agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector is the primary industry in Myanmar. It accounts for 25% of the total GDP, and 70%of its population lives in rural areas. The production of its major crops—such as rice, corn, peanut, sesame, green bean, and black green bean—continues to increase. Still, its agricultural productivity is low due to problems in farmland management, irrigation, farmers’ collaboration, and product distribution. ○Myanmar’s Agricultural Development Strategy Investment Plan (ADSIP, 2018/19-2022/23) is composed of 27 performance areas, targeting I) improving governance and enhancing related agencies’ capabilities, II) raising productivity and increasing income, and III) improving market linkage and competitiveness, under the pillars of governance, productivity, and competitiveness. ○Between 2014 and 2018, Korea's assistance for Myanmar’s agricultural and rural development totaled USD 56.17 million, while all donor agencies donated USD 1.57 billion. Of the development assistance committee members of the OECD, Japan, the U.S., France, the Switzerland, and Korea were the large contributors. In particular, Japan’s financial assistance was much larger than others. (For more information, please refer to the report.) |
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