Myanmar Mohinga

20 SOIL MANAGEMENT AND CROP NUTRITION ISSUE ONE 2017 PARTNERS MYANMAR Myanmar Mohinga Ingredients MOHINGA 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 long red chillies, 1 finely chopped, 1 thinly sliced 1 tsp ground turmeric 1 onion, thinly sliced 2 cm piece ginger, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ABOUT THE DISH cropping systems. These combined objectives are 2 lemongrass stalks, white part only, thinly The recipe for mohinga varies depending on resulting in improved crop yields in Myanmar and sliced regional tastes and ingredients, but you will find better livelihoods for farmers in the CDZ. 1 bunch coriander, stalks and roots finely a typical version in the country’s south where A previous ACIAR-funded project chopped, leaves chopped fresh fish abounds and in other parts where (SMCN/2006/013) identified higher-yielding 2 tbsp ngapi (Burmese shrimp paste) chickpeas abound. varieties of pigeon pea, peanut and chickpeas for 1 tbsp tamarind pulp (liquid form) The dish can be topped with an array of systems in Myanmar’s CDZ, improved facilities 150 g banana blossom, thinly sliced optional additions, including crispy fritters, and expertise at the DAR rhizobial inoculant 35 g (¼ cup) chickpea (besan) flour* chickpeas or a boiled egg—meaning each bowl production unit and built capacity at DAR through 100 g (½ cup) chickpeas, cooked and of mohinga, like each individual experience in postgraduate research and short-term staff training. crushed Myanmar, is unique. Institutional capacity building to promote 750 ml fish or vegetable stock long-term change included the production 200 g vermicelli rice noodles, soaked in LEGUME-BASED FARMING SYSTEMS of resources and material to assist training in cold water for 15 minutes, drained IN THE CENTRAL DRY ZONE (CDZ) OF Myanmar’s soil research facilities. The capacity 250 g firm white fish (such as barramundi), MYANMAR building is designed to increase volumes of high- skin on, chopped At 34% of Myanmar’s GDP, agriculture dominates quality inoculants to improve nodulation and 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped the country’s economy, to which legumes legume yield. The project has also resulted in a 2 tbsp fish sauce contribute $3 billion annually. This contribution detailed documentation of the extent of nutrient lime wedges, to serve has significant potential to improve, with more deficiencies within the project regions to assist * Chickpea (besan) flour is thicker and grainier than 80% of farmers surveyed indicating their with informed nutrient management strategies. than refined white flour. It is available from health-food shops, Asian food shops and some crop yields were limited by poor nutrition and/or With the engagement of more than 3,000 supermarkets. shortages of legume microbial inoculants, despite farmers, the project team and project partners high demand. There is also significant potential implemented more than 70 replicated trials and Method to improve the retention and use by crops of soil more than 380 non-replicated trials in partnership 1. Place oil in a large saucepan over water. Chickpea production grew substantially with local smallholders and Myanmar agricultural medium heat. Add finely chopped between 2000 and 2015; with the assistance of organisations. Improved genotype trials showed chilli, turmeric, onion, ginger, garlic, ACIAR this is set to continue. increases in crop yields as high as 55% over lemongrass, coriander (stalks and roots) local varieties. n and ngapi. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 THE PROJECT minutes or until softened. This project commenced in June 2013 and is 2. Stir in tamarind pulp and banana a partnership between the University of New ACIAR PROJECT SMCN/2011/047 blossom and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes England (lead agency) and the University of Increasing productivity of legume-based until banana blossom has softened. Adelaide, the International Crops Research Institute farming systems in the central dry zone 3. Add chickpea flour, stirring to combine. for the Semi-Arid Tropics in India, and the three of Myanmar. 4. Add chickpeas, then gradually stir in government agencies that deal with agriculture in stock and simmer for 10 minutes or until Myanmar: the Department of Agricultural Research MORE INFORMATION soup has thickened. (DAR), the Department of Agriculture and the Yezin Dr David Herridge (project leader), 5. Add drained rice noodles, fish, tomatoes Agricultural University. The project is breeding University of New England, and fish sauce, and simmer for 5 and releasing to farmers new crop varieties with [email protected]; minutes or until noodles and fish are improved yield and resistance to biotic stresses, Dulce Carandang Simmanivong just cooked. linked to improved community seed production (regional manager for Laos, Cambodia, 6. Divide fish noodle soup among six and distribution systems via village seed banks. Myanmar and Thailand), ACIAR, serving bowls. Scatter over coriander Government agency staff and selected farmers [email protected]; leaves and thinly sliced chilli and serve are being trained in the efficient use of mineral Dr Robert Edis (soil management and with lime wedges. and organic fertilisers and nutrient management, crop nutrition research program manager), Serves 6 the management of crop pests and diseases, ACIAR, [email protected] application of new technology and appropriate PARTNERS ISSUE ONE 2017 21 PHOTO: ACIAR.

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