The project was implemented in a region where natural events such as droughts, floods, pest infestations as well as limited agriculture and financial inputs are major risks to food security and where the recent effects of climate change are worsening the situation. The Central Dry Zone is considered   one of the poorest and most backward areas of the country. Its chronic food deficit is aggravated by weak   infrastructure, harsh climate, shortages of water, inadequate farming inputs and lack of access to land.

Early recovery efforts and medium-term development are being pursued in the cyclone-affected areas. More attention needs to be given to these rice-deficit areas through appropriate measures such as provision of irrigation water, introduction of suitable high yielding varieties and rehabilitation of upland rice farming to attenuate soil degradation.

Myanmar has a considerable potential for increasing competitive advantage in rice production and is well endowed with water resources, only five percent of which is utilized.

Achievements
21,070 marginal and small-scale farmers have directly benefitted from the Project activities. The Project has also indirectly benefitted a large number of rural households.

Sustaining crop intensification in the Ayeyarwady Delta and Central Dry Zone of Myanmar
Two hundred and sixty seven farmer field schools (FFS) and 264 demonstration plots (DP), jointly with three seed multiplication groups (SMG), have been implemented with six partners in 124 villages located in 73 village tracts of ten townships. Training involved   21,070   farmers on specific needs of each FFS. Participating  farmers received MT 78 of registered  and  quality  declared  rice  seeds  of  19 different  locally  improved  High Yielding Varieties  suitable  for  specific  agro-ecological zones.

In addition, MT 33 of quality seed of pulses, sunflower, potatoes, cotton and vegetables, jointly with fertilizers and other inputs, were de­ livered to the FFS, SMG and DP together with training in improved technological packages. As a result, rice yield has increased by approximatively MT 0.6 per acre. Twenty five women Nutrition Classes (WNC) were formed, involving a total of 948 women. Training covered basic nutrition, cooking demonstrations, and simple techniques for food preservation and processing. 

Different types of vegetable seeds were distributed and cultivated in the home gardens or in the field with good results in terms of production/food security, improved diet, and cash availability. Selected  FFS  were  provided  with  farming  equipment  such  as  drum seeder, thresher, etc. to enable the groups generating  additional  income used  to  increase  the  capital  of  the  group  and  to  provide  loans  to members.

Rehabilitation and sustained operation of water harvesting and   small-scale irrigation schemes in the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar
Jointly with the Irrigation Department of MOAI, the project rehabilitated 9 community water reservoirs in 9 villages of Yamethin and Pyawbwe Townships. As a result, a total area of 1,804 acres is under irrigation, covering 748 farmers. Considering that the rainfall in the dry zone is generally well below the optimal requirement, during the monsoon season the water stored in the reservoirs is used for supplementary irrigation for rice, with an estimated    increase in production of MT 0.7 per acre.

During the dry season, this water allows the cultivation of cotton, vegetables, pulses, maize, sunflower and other crops, generating more income and improving the nutritional status of the households. The water is also used by 7,500 people of nearby villages for household consumption and as well as drinking water for 5,600 cattle. In addition, the shallow aquifer is being replenished and is providing water for more than 220 shallow tube wells, which had dried up in recent years. The Project also drilled, cleaned and rehabilitated 118 shallow and 17 deep tube wells, and 13 observation wells in five townships. Air compressors, water pumps and pipes were provided to develop small irrigation schemes, covering a total area of 1,876 acres.

Capacity building, institutional strengthening and sustainability of Community Based Organizations
Training was provided to 21,070 farmers through groups established by the Project, namely: FFS, Water User, Seed Multiplication, Seed Bank and Revolving Fund Groups. The Project is supporting capacity building of line ministries and implementing partners through various training activities and workshops.

Effective partnerships among stakeholder organizations
Partnerships were established with implementing partners, Associazione  Volontari peril  Serviz io lntemazionale, Adventist Development  and Relief Agency , Myanmar Heart Development Organization, Mingalar Myanmar, Department  of Agriculture, MOAI, Irrigation Department, MOAI, which included arrangements for  cost sharing. In addition, Water Resources Utilization Department (MOAI) Project   staff participated in the local coordination bodies to provide technical advice and share information with other agencies, NGOs and stakeholders. The Italian government contributed to 2,213,000 USD.