Geographical Analysis of Agricultural Systems and Its Potential for Rural Development in Sagaing Township by May Thu Naing1 Assistant Lecturer, Department of Geography Mandalay University In Sagaing Township, the low flat plain occupies an area about 95 % of the total area of Township. Mu river valley which lines on its western part and Ayeyarwady River Valley which lies on its southern parts occupy the lowest parts of the plain. Due to its various physical features there are significant variations in the agricultural activities. Samples are selected and questionnaires are asked to the farmers in order to get information about their occupation. GIS method, Qualitative and Quantitative methods are employed to examine the primary data collected through the questionnaires. Spatial variation of agriculture is based on the physical conditions and temporal variation is apparent for seasonal change of crop patterns. There are four major types of agriculture as paddy cultivation all around the Yemyet In (lake) margin, drying farming or "Ya" cultivation, and market gardens on the selected land area. Several types of crops, vegetables and flowers are grown in this area. Agricultural system in the township is important not only for the socio- economic condition of the people but also for the environmental consequences. Implementing a national programme to increase the production of domestic fruits and vegetables are required to inform and to educate the farmers to get profit. Keywords: spatial variation, temporal variation and environmental consequences Introduction 70% of the people living in Myanmar are rural population and are engaged in traditional agricultural systems by practicing modern methods of cultivation of crop system and by jointly carrying out mechanical enterprises with livestock breeding production, the family income will increase and the standard of living in the family will become high. In the agricultural activities of Sagaing Township, there are many devise to solve the problems. In order to agricultural work, as the patches of the crop lands are in a scattered condition and hard to find temporal worker in the farmland, at such time the young family members usually come back to help their elders or parents. The head of the family had to find new extra jobs to work jointly with the former work in order to get extra money income. Practically, family expenses which are spent on education and health had increased. Although the extra expenses are spent, yet the rate of production for the agricultural crops had decreased and the amount of food is low. Now up- to date modern cultivation methods and its weakness of the skill labour, climatic changes in region and going to other area to work. All these problems can be solves by means of method shown in this research paper. 1.Dr.,Assistant Lecturer, Department of Geography, Mandalay University 2 Aims and Objectives The aims and objectives of the research are : (1) To study and examine the requirements for the crop cultivation of Sagaing Township (2) To change from the traditional types of agricultural method to modern agricultural method of cultivation should be carried out from the geographical point of view (3) To advise and help should be given in the upgrading of the standard of living of the urban dwellers Data and Methodology The research on the agricultural system of Sagaing Township of Myanmar is carried on by basing partly on the secondary data. The primary data are obtained from questionnaires, interview, open talks through field observation and fields survey. This research is also carried out by using both qualitative method and quantitative method. The data required for this research are obtained from the farmers of 2,835 –households from 2 wards and from 81 – village tracts in Sagaing Township during 2013 and 2014. In addition intensive structured interview were conducted to households in the whole township. The questionnaires using selected Random Sampling Method and Secondary data from the information received at the reception received at the various movement offices of the Departments. In the research work the agricultural activities of the farmer living in Sagaing Township had been studied and examined, 2,835 households who were engaged in agricultural activities were questioned. Facts and data are collected from various offices of the departments. Cultivation of separate varieties of seasonal crops are examined by Temporal Analysis and spatial Analysis. The Difference of cultivation methods according to the condition of the land surface , soil and drainage were also studied and examined by means of the qualitative method. After that by using GIS Method , maps were drawn. (81) village tracts in this township were divided into 4 parts whereas (2) wards were combined and formed into one urban region. That is why these village tracts are being divided into (5) sectors. Study Area Sagaing Township lies within the Dry Zone of Central Myanmar. Sagaing Township is situated in the south-eastern part of Sagaing Region. ႈ It lies between the latitudes of 21°50′ and 22°15′ north, between the longitudes of 95°40′ and 96°00′ east. It is also a part of the flat plains of the Mu and Ayeyarwady river basins. The area of Sagaing Township is 485.69 sq miles or 311,081.6 acres and comprises with the Sagaing Town Proper and 81 village tracts. Sagaing Township is bounded on the north by Wetlet Township, on the east and south-east by Madaya Township, Patheingyi Township, 3 Amarapura Township and Tada-U Township, on the south by Ngazun Township and on the west by Myinmu Township and Ayadaw Township. Map (1) Sagaing Township in Myanmar , 2014 UNION OF MYANMAR 90°0'0"E 92°0'0"E 94°0'0"E 96°0'0"E 98°0'0"E 100°0'0"E 102°0'0"E 28°0'0"N 28°0'0"N SAGAING TOWNSHIP 26°0'0"N CHINA 26°0'0"N INDIA 24°0'0"N 24°0'0"N 22°0'0"N 22°0'0"N 20°0'0"N 20°0'0"N 18°0'0"N 18°0'0"N THAILAN 16°0'0"N D 16°0'0"N 14°0'0"N 14°0'0"N 12°0'0"N 12°0'0"N 10°0'0"N 10°0'0"N 90°0'0"E 92°0'0"E 94°0'0"E 96°0'0"E 98°0'0"E 100°0'0"E 102°0'0"E Source: Land Record Department,2013 In this research paper, depending on the geographical factors of location, topography and drainage structure, the condition of agriculture by the native farmers have been examined in 5 regions. They are as followed: (1) 34 village tracts along the bank of Ayeyarwady river (which are living on the eastern and southern part of Sagaing Township.) or Ayeyawady Valley Area: Ayeyarwady Valley Area includes Mingun, Htonbo, Singaing, Kin, Mezalichaung, Letpan Wachet Arlaung, Myetaing, Chaungpauk, Kyaukta, Yega, Htandaw, Thawtapan, Tegyi, Zichaung, Maubin, Sinmye and Daungma. Tegyi, Zichaung, Maubin, Sinmye, Daungma, Nyaukkyikyun, Tintake, Kywelu, Nyaungbinzin, Pyehtayaw, Sindat, Ywathitgyi, Pyitawtha, Ngatayaw, Legyi, Ywama, Kaingpyin, Myinse, Shwehlay and Maungtaung Village Tracts (2) 11 village tracts along the bank of Mu River (which are located on the western part of Sagaing Township) or Mu Valley Area: Mu Vallery Area includes Letpantha, Thapantha, Nyaungbinwin, Depeyinkwe, Kywepon, Nyaungpintha, Mutha, Talaingkyun, Nyaungpinshay, Taungmyo and Htandawseik Village Tracts (3) 30 village tracts within the inner central part of the township or Central Land Area : 4 Central land Area includes Paukma, Minywa, Thapyaukkon, Nontwin, Ohntaw, Natkayaing, Kyaukse, Aung tha, Panchi, Taungyin, Yinmarkyin, Shantat, Thazin, Taunggya Insa, Sadaung, Kyarmingyi, Pekado, Lintalu, Taeinte, Sitee, Ketka, Talaing, Kyaungphyu, Kyaukta, Sagyin, Samon, Baukthauk, Marletaw and Yonbinkan Village Tracts (4) 6 village tracts near Yemyet Lake or Yemyet within the Lake Area: Yemyet In area includes Yedwinkaung , Saye, Padu, Kangyikone, Kyaukphanan and Yemyet Village Tracts. (5) 2 wards of the urban area of Sagaing Town Proper .Analysis of these 5 estates are made after through field surveys. Urban (Garden )Area includes Nandawun and Ywataung Wards Findings and Results Physical Environment and Elements of the Agricultural system in the study Area Within Sagaing Township, after cultivation crops in summer Pre- Monsoon period before the Rainy season. Rainy season and cool season, along on both side of the Ayeyarwady valley the sown area was, 182.61 sq. km (49%) in the year 2013. In Mu Valley the sown area was 79.55 sq. km (21%) within the central part the sown lands of the Yemyet In lake was 11,040 sq. km (29.6%). In the Garden lands (0.4%) or non – inundated lands of the village tracts where the land surfaces become higher, cultivation of " Sein-ta –lone" mangoes, Taiwan guavas , Pepper, plum, lime, custard apple, sweet lime, and betel vine were grown. At present sweet cucumbers and water melons are extensively grown on the 'Ya' dry lands and they are sold to the Chinese market. In examining the cropping system of Sagaing Township, it is found that (1) the natural inputs consist of rainfall, sun lights(temperature), soil and land (2) the Human Inputs consist of seeds, fertilizers, ploughs, harrows, animals, labourers, tools, fertilizer and pesticides. After combining the natural inputs and human inputs the growing of crops is carried out by ploughing, sowing of seeds in the nurseries, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, threshing and winnowing. After that buying of crops for consumption and sale or selling of crops to get income are being carried out. Depending on the geographical basis factors such as the structure of the cultivated land, availability of water of the cropland and climatic conditions, intensive agriculture is carried on for commercial purposes. The cultivation of water melon is carried on 5 percent of the cultivated land and 95 percent of all the crop sown is carried on only by sedentary subsistence 5 agriculture.