The 1st national multi-stakeholder workshop addressing Agroecological Transition in the Mekong Region, and more especially in Myanmar, was held on the 7th and 8th of March 2016 in Yangon. It was organized by CIRAD and GRET as part of the inception phase of ACTAE project, funded by the French Agency for Development (AFD).
It brought together over 40 specialists and practitioners from national and international NGOs, research and universities, farmers’ and consumers’ associations, government agencies, development partners and private sector actively working on sustainable agriculture sector in Myanmar.
It aimed at sharing knowledge, information and experiences between agricultural development stakeholders, more especially through:
– Introduction to ACTAE program with its 2 components:
+ Conservation Agriculture Network in South East Asia (CANSEA)
+ Agroecology Learning Alliance in South East Asia (ALiSEA)
– Discussions of initial findings from the 1st study carried out in the framework of ALiSEA about Myanmar agroecology stakeholder mapping and policy framework review (report to be available soon on ALiSEA website)
– Demonstration of the online ALiSEA knowledge management and experience sharing platform on Agroecology
– Presentation of 12 case studies from various stakeholders in line with 3 main topics
+ Disseminating agroecology practices through training and extension approaches
+ Addressing soil and water conservation through agroecology practices
+ Making markets work for agroecology and small holders
– Working groups building upon lessons learnt from the case studies and ACTAE presentations resulting in
+ A brainstorming about main agriculture challenges faced by farmers and formulation of recommendations for promoting agroecology
+ A shared understanding and common vision of agroecology and a sound and accurate translations (in national language) of the concept of agroecology
+ A preliminary brainstorming about governance and structure for a future national platform addressing agroecology transition
The 2 days’ workshop has been very intense and very fruitful paving the way to some common principles, common understanding and common expectations about agroecology. There are still some works to do in order to define in an encompassing way AE but it is on the right track.
As a way forward, a first working group for drafting the structure of the future Myanmar Agroecology Learning Alliance and reviewing results from ALiSEA workshops in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam has been formed with 8 volunteer members. From Left to Right on the picture hereafter: Mr Sai Lone (Swissaid), Mr Khin Maung Latt (Metta Foundation), Mr San Thein (VIDA), Mr Thein Soe Min (Green Way), Ms Clemence Bourlet (Green Lotus), Ms Ei Khin Khin (Banyan Services), Ms Tin Moe Khaing (Food Security Working Group), Ms Sandar Kyaw Win (Karuna Mission Social Solidarity).
This 1st national workshop was instrumental in laying down the foundations of a national Myanmar network that will partake in a regional Agroecology Learning Alliance, bringing together all stakeholders active in the field of agroecology.
It was the first of its kind and it is expected that others will follow to keep on networking, sharing experiences and best practices and ultimately promote agroecology transition in the Mekong region.
Case studies available for download:
Disseminating AE practices through training and extension approaches
Agroecology Approaches and Practices in Farmer Field School, Metta Foundation Agroecology Approaches and Practices in FFS_Metta
Sustainable Agricultural Practices of Farmers through Farmer Field School Approach, Doh Taung Thu AE_heathermorris
Moving toward an acceptable alternative livelihood and food security, NEED NEED Myanmar Eco village Farm final presentation
Ecological Farming Pilot Project, SWISSAID SWISSAID_Ecological_Farming_Sai_Lone8vf
Agro ecology Transition in Myanmar, focus on IPM, Plant Protection Division, Department of Agriculture IPM Myanmar_VFF
Addressing soil and water conservation through AE practices
Farming Practices Applied in Lashio contributing to Sustainable Agriculture, U Thein Su (Conservation Agriculture) CA Shan State_U Thein Su
Assessment of soil erosion risk in different cropping systems of the Inle Lake watershed area, Nyaung Shwe Township, Southern Shan State, Myanmar, Land Use Division, DOA, MOAI Inle watershed_Thin Nwe Htwe
Management of cropping pattern, Nyang Oo, Agricultural Extension and Education Division Crop Management in Nyaung Oo
Soil and water conservation in the Dry Zone of Myanmar, Gret GRET DZ
Making markets work for AE and small holders
Developing High Quality Tea Value Chains for Poverty Reduction for Ethnic Minorities in Northern Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, Helvetas Final_HELVETAS_Shantea
Strengthening the agroecological sector in Myanmar: Networking and Lobbying, Green Lotus GL Gret WS Agroecology
Market opportunities for agro-ecology products from Myanmar, Banyan Green Services Presentation_AE_EKK_Banyan services
