Environmentally Sustainable Food Security Programme (ESFSP)

Brief on the project “Support to the immediate rehabilitation of farming, coastal fisheries & aquaculture livelihoods in the cyclone Nargis-affected areas of Myanmar” (GCP/MYA/012/ITA)

Demonstration plot of rice registered seed in Pyapon

A. Outcomes and Outputs The project aims at sustainable improvements in household food production, nutritional status and income- generating activities among households and communities that comprise landless, marginal and small-scale farmers and fishers in the cyclone-affected townships of Bogale, Labutta and Pyapon. Output 1: Impoverished rural communities mobilized to benefit from improved agricultural support services 115 farmer field schools (FFS), 74 demonstration plots (DP) and 2 seed multiplication groups (SMG) have been implemented with 4 partners in 70 villages located in 20 village tracts, directly involving 7,200 farmers. Training covered to specific needs of each FFS group related to crop cycle management; conservation agriculture; integrated plant nutrient management systems; integrated pest management; postharvest technology for reducing pre- and post-harvest losses, and on-farm storage techniques; establishment and functioning of the rice bank system; crop intensification for rice-based cropping systems; and disaster risk management.

Output 2: Enhanced long-term land productivity, reduced food insecurity and improved household nutritional status of impoverished farming communities

This is mainly achieved through provision of seed of improved local varieties of rice, pulses and other crops; farm tools and equipment; transfer of improved technologies through the implementation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS); adoption of improved farming systems; formation and strengthening of farmers’ groups; establishment of revolving funds and matching contributions.

FFS participating farmers received 72 MT of registered and quality declared rice seeds of 12 different locally improved HYV, suitable for specific agro-ecological zones. Eight MT of pulses, oil crop and vegetable seeds jointly with fertilizers and other inputs were delivered to the FFS, SMG and DP according to improved technological packages. In particular, 739 MT of pulses were distributed to 20,700 marginal and small-scale farmers after the cyclone Nargis. 1/2

Environmentally Sustainable Food Security Programme (ESFSP)

Usage of registered seed, quality declared seed and the FFS training activities on improved agricultural techniques combined with postharvest loss reduction methodologies resulted in a substantial increase of beneficiary farmers’ yields. Registered seed alone showed a superior yield from 15 to 61 percent compared to locally grown same or similar varieties. Best performing FFS received drum seeders, threshers and other equipments to establish group-based revolving funds to ensure FFS sustainability. For these groups, training courses also covered use and maintenance of on-farm machinery, and provision of contract service and fund management.

Output 3: Sustained coastal, estuarine, riverine and inland fishing practices adopted and quality of fish and shrimp products improved

Seven boat-building training workshops were conducted with 186 local boat builders and carpenters to improve fishing boat design and construction. In connection with these workshops, training in engine maintenance and repair was given to 40 mechanics in the project villages. Eighteen fishery trainings including post-harvest, resource management and conservation, and aquaculture were conducted in five villages in Bogale and Labutta Townships involving 393 landless capture fishers and small- scale fish farmers to enhance their capacity. Twenty-two fish and shrimp hatcheries, of which 13 private, and 9 owned by Department of Fisheries (DoF) have been rehabilitated. The actual construction work was paid for by the owners while the project supplied the materials (GI sheets, transparent sheets, wood and cement). New hatchery equipment was distributed and installed in 18 hatcheries, including: various measuring devices, microscopes, pumps, generators, glassware, plastic tanks, blowers and oxygen cylinders. After the rehabilitation, during the spawning season of 2010-2011, one of the DoF Pathein fishery station was capable of producing 30.5 million fish seeds which is 13.7 percent over the previous year’s production. The station has also succeeded for the first time in Myanmar in producing seed of the “Trichogaster pectoralis” (common name “snakeskin gourami”), commercially and extensively cultivable in large water areas. The fish is in high demand at local and export markets (especially China) and commands a high price after salting. Among fish species, Gourami is the most demanded as the fish is hardy, plankton-feeding, and fast growing. The Pathein fishery station, with the help of FAO/ESFSP, was able to make the first successful hatchery production of Gourami seed in Myanmar. Output 4: effective and coordinated agriculture (crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry) sector recovery Technical advice and coordination services were provided by international and national consultants to the Delta Livelihood Recovery Working Group (DLRWG). The DLRWG replaced the agriculture cluster (mentioned in the project document) in July 2009 as the United Nations forum for coordination of agriculture rehabilitation programmes and preparation of medium-term action plans. The DLRWG was dissolved in June 2010. Technical advice and coordination services continued through the Food Security and Agriculture Thematic Group (FSATG), the Myanmar Humanitarian Partnership Group (MHPG) and the Humanitarian Coordination Team (HTC). Such advice and services are also channeled through the concerned government technical departments and ministries. Coordination for proper ESFSP implementation also includes frequent meetings with line ministries to discuss work plans, implementation of activities, technological packages to be promoted, etc. B. Target Beneficiaries Some 27,960 poor farmers and 2,110 fishers have benefited directly from the project. The project indirectly benefits a very large number of households, through increased food production and enhanced opportunities for non-farm income-generating activities within the assisted communities. C. Project Location

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Environmentally Sustainable Food Security Programme (ESFSP)

o Ayeyarwady Region: Labutta, Pyapon, Bogale, Pathein, Ma U Bin and Pantanaw Townships o Yangon Division: Kyauk Tan, Hlegu, Mingalardon, Kyimyintaing, Insein, Twantay, Htan Ta Bin and Taikkyi Townships

D. Project Duration: from January 2010 to March 2013

E. Concerned Ministries

o Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI) o Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MOLF) F. Implementing Partners

o Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) o Myanmar Heart Development Organization (MHDO) o Mingalar Myanmar (MM) o Relief International (RI) o Department of Fisheries (DoF, MOLF) o Myanma Agriculture Service (MAS, MOAI) G. Contribution from the Government of Italy: US$: 2,785,515

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