Communication for Sustained Livelihoods and Food Security ASSESSMENT REPORT FUNDED BY DISCLAIMER This study is commissioned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as part of the “Communication for Sustained Livelihood and Food Security” project, implemented in cooperation with the Myanmar Ministry of Information, and funded by the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) (www.lift‐fund.org). The report was prepared by DantDaLun Management and Consulting Services Company Ltd., with participation from regional and national local partners and stakeholders including, State and local government entities, NGOs, rural communities, community‐based associations, institutions and project beneficiaries. The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. UNESCO does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this report and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of its use thereof. Authorization from UNESCO is required before citing, referencing or/and reproducing this report, in part or whole. For further information, please contact the below: UNESCO Myanmar UN Building No.6 Natmauk Road, Tamwe Township Yangon ‐ The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Tel: + 95 1 542910‐19; Ext: 130,109 Fax: +951 544531 E‐mail: [email protected] © UNESCO 2015 All rights reserved 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DantDaLun Management and Consulting Services Company Ltd. would like to thank all those who have contributed to making this study possible. In particular, we would like to express our appreciation for the support and guidance of UNESCO and LIFT during the study. Special appreciation is also extended to the Myanmar Ministry of Information for their active collaboration, and facilitation of field data‐collection and research study through letters of introduction and coordination with the local stakeholders. The support of the respective State and local governments is also highly appreciated for smooth implementation of the assessment. The study team would like to express its appreciation to the LIFT partners who gave the time and effort of their staff to provide ground support during the data collection process, despite their own busy schedules and priorities. The survey would not have been possible without their assistance. DantDaLun appreciates the hard work of the study team – Lead Consultant, Steven Lanjouw; Agricultural Expert, Paul Roelofson; Team Leaders, Khin Hnin Yu, Mai Mang Sui Nawn and Kyaw Thura; Data Supervisors, Ohnmar Htun, Thae Phyu Htun and Khaing Kyaw Nyo; Analysis and Reporting Consultant, Choo Phuah; Statistician, U Zaw Win; as well as the enumerators and data processing team. October 2015 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Table of contents ................................................................................................................................................ 3 List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 7 I. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 11 II. Study objectives and design ...................................................................................................................... 11 A. Study objectives ................................................................................................................................... 11 B. Study areas........................................................................................................................................... 11 C. Study questions .................................................................................................................................... 15 D. Study framework .................................................................................................................................. 15 E. Study methods ..................................................................................................................................... 17 III. Study findings ........................................................................................................................................... 19 A. General information ............................................................................................................................. 19 B. Agricultural and livelihood situation ..................................................................................................... 22 C. Overview of information needs and communication channels ............................................................. 25 D. Agriculture and livelihood information needs ...................................................................................... 32 E. Use of different means of communication ........................................................................................... 42 F. Mapping of current information channels ............................................................................................ 47 G. Summary of key findings by states and regions .................................................................................... 60 IV. Key information gaps and preferred channels of communication ............................................................. 64 A. Key information gaps ........................................................................................................................... 64 B. Analysis of preferred communication channels .................................................................................... 64 V. Recommendations .................................................................................................................................... 68 VI. Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................. 70 VII. Annexes .................................................................................................................................................... 72 Annex 1: Data collection tools ....................................................................................................................... 73 Annex 2: List of organisations interviewed .................................................................................................... 95 Annex 3: Description of agriculture and livelihood information categories ................................................... 98 Annex 4: Data on access to communications from 2014 census .................................................................... 99 3 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: List of study townships and villages ..................................................................................................... 13 Table 2: Profile of survey townships .................................................................................................................. 14 Table 3: Information categories and types of information ................................................................................ 16 Table 4: Overall socio‐economic conditions in the study states/regions ........................................................... 20 Table 5: Percentage of respondents who indicate they need information related to different categories ........ 25 Table 6: Most important types of information needed ..................................................................................... 26 Table 7: Use of different communication channels to access livelihood information ........................................ 32 Table 8: Mapping of available information sources on livelihoods and food security ........................................ 49 Table 9: Access to communication channels by state/region ............................................................................ 57 Table 10: Most important types of information needed and current available sources of information (shaded rows are areas where the information gap is high) ........................................................................................... 65 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map of study areas ............................................................................................................................. 12 Figure 2: Occupation of respondents ................................................................................................................ 21 Figure 3: Age distribution of respondents ......................................................................................................... 21 Figure 4: Ethnic composition of respondents .................................................................................................... 22 Figure 5: Household income sources ................................................................................................................. 23 Figure 6: Land area cultivated by households ................................................................................................... 24 Figure 7: Source of information