FAO Myanmar

What happens when rural women are asked: “Would You Like to Start an Agri-Business?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

In the heart of Myanmar’s Central Dry Zone, Magway Township relies heavily on rainfall for agriculture, making water a scarce and limiting resource for the farmers who live there. With erratic monsoon patterns and long dry seasons, communities face increasing challenges in securing enough water for both crop cultivation that [...]

Saving Together Rising together - When Women Save, Community Grows

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Ma Maw Maw Hmwe lives in a quiet farming village nestled between Pwintbyu and Salin townships in Myanmar’s Magway Region. Like many others in her community, her family of eight depends almost entirely on agriculture to survive. Together with her husband and six children, they cultivate rice, beans, and sesame [...]

Unlocking Daw Win Myint's decision-making power through collective savings

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Daw Win Myint is a typical housewife living in a small village near Magway Township. Her husband, the only one family’s breadwinner, takes on occasional odd jobs such as day wage labour and seasonal work, however, his income is inconsistent and insufficient to fully support the family’s needs.

“In response to [...]

From Struggle to Stability: How Financial Discipline Changed Ma Yu Yu Win's Life

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Ma Yu Yu Win, one of the many rural landless women living in a village near the Magway Region is known for her strong financial habits, was able to build her stable income after joining a village level Women’s Savings and Credit Scheme (WSCS) facilitated by FAO Myanmar in early [...]

From housewife to entrepreneur: Daw Han Thi's fish cracker success story

Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Daw Han Thi, a housewife in her late 50’s, from the small village in Ayeyarwady Region, is proving that it’s never too late to turn knowledge into opportunity. Living with her husband, her daughter’s family, and her granddaughter, Daw Han Thi had long wanted to contribute more to the household [...]

One Stove, Two Benefits: Eco-stoves for sustainable fisheries livelihood and mangrove conservation

Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

"What I say is true! Now, I need only three sticks of firewood to cook a pot of rice," Su Sandar, says as she happily shares her experience using an eco-stove. The thirty-something mother of two, introduced techniques for making the eco-stove to her village, explaining how it can save [...]

Nature's groceries and safety net: how forests help feed the world better

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion Editorial by Dr QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Our forests play a vital role in feeding the world. From wild foods to fresh water, from shelter to energy, forests sustain billions of people and biodiversity.

Yet we continue to lose them at [...]

It's high time to turn the “Right to Foods” for a healthy, nutritious and affordable diet into reality

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

By Dr QU Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

This year the theme for World Food Day is “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future.” It’s a timely reminder that all people have the right to adequate foods.

But how [...]

By 2030 we must eliminate rabies in Asia and the Pacific

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

By Jong-Jin Kim, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific

Discussion around the topic of rabies is almost exclusively related to the dangers it poses to humans from dog bites. And it’s no wonder, because if a rabid bite is left untreated it is almost always fatal. [...]

Timely agricultural assistance to a family's better life

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

“Last year, farming was particularly difficult. The family had no capital for quality seeds or fertilizers and had to borrow money, even pawning household belongings,” sadly shared a mother of three, Ma Phyo.

Ma Phyo's husband was born with a disability that left him unable to use both legs. Two of [...]

Pan Khayay women's group: Working together to build a better future

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

It was a busy day for the Pan Khayay women’s savings and credit scheme group in Konegyi village, located in Magway Region. The five committee members attending the group meeting were carefully preparing presentations summarizing the group’s financial statement for the last six months, including key aspects such as total [...]

Nurturing Sustainable, Safe, and Healthy Food with Home-stead Gardening

Thu, 30 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The FAO-GAFSP Programme enhances knowledge and encourages the adoption of good nutrition practices through a social and behavior change communication approach across six townships in the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar. It aims to support all community members in achieving effective behavior change on nutrition. The project is supporting home-based [...]

International Day of Forests 2024: Forests and innovation – new solutions for a better world

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Innovation is unlocking the forests’ long-kept secrets and allowing us to use trees in ways we never imagined possible. Materials derived from forests and trees are being developed as sustainable substitutes for plastics, building materials, fabrics, medicines and many other everyday items.

At the same time, rapidly evolving drone and satellite [...]

Countries in Asia and the Pacific need to work together to protect our common forest and fresh water resources

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

By Jong-Jin Kim, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

United we stand, divided we fall – it’s an old cliché, but when talking about access to fresh water in this Asia and Pacific region, it’s worth reminding ourselves how imperative it is to work [...]

Women's Work: time to recognize their critical role in agriculture – and invest in it!

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

By Jong-Jin Kim, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Despite women's significant contributions to our agrifood systems in the Asia-Pacific region, women continue to face persistent obstacles, including limited access to resources, services, and discriminatory practices all along the food value chain. As [...]

Empowering a mother through Nutrition Social and Behavior Change Communication with homestead gardening

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Daw Aye Aye Myint, a mother from Magway Region, once knew little about nutrition. Like many mothers in her community, she wanted the best for her family but lacked access to the right knowledge and resources of nutrition.

Her journey of change began when she joined the

Empowering Women Farmers for Sustainable Agriculture: Ma Kyi Kyi Lwin's Journey

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Women are actively involved in various agricultural activities in general in Myanmar and in particular in Central Dry Zone and their contributions to agriculture
In the heart of a village, a remarkable transformation is taking place—one that exemplifies the power of education, persistence, and community support in reshaping dietary habits and improving [...]

Blessed with a healthy baby: good nutrition at pregnancy rewarded

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT

The journey of motherhood is not always easy, especially when it comes to ensuring the health of both the mother and the child. For Daw Zin Mar Win, a 25-year-old mother from Yae Ngan Village in the Natmauk Township, the Central Dry Zone in Myanmar, the worries about her pregnancy [...]

A step toward the Intergenerational Pathway of Nutrition

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Daw Phyo Khet Wai, a married woman from Pin Myo village in the Natmauk Township, had limited knowledge about nutrition before attending the Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) trainings funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Like [...]

In the face of adverse food security, one woman learns to adopt a new farming practice.

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Women farmers are often more knowledgeable about traditional farming practices and have a deep understanding of the local environment.

Women farmers in Myanmar, have an important role and contributions in country’s economic growth, good production, value chain and food system sustainability. They play a diverse role in agriculture and make enormous [...]

Rural women are powerful and constantly overcome challenges

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT

On October 15,International Day of Rural Women 2022 celebrates the contributions of rural women towards food security, local communities and global economies. Daw Pyone Kyi and Daw Zin Ma represent the voices of the often invisible rural women in Myanmar who are overcoming challenges due to the ongoing crises.

FAO and Belgium provide emergency agricultural assistance to conflict-affected communities in Kayin and Kayah states

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Humanitarian needs in Myanmar continue to rise sharply since February 2021 as a result of political and economic upheaval and increased conflict. Approximately 27 percent of the population (14.4 million people) is in need of assistance and more than 700 000 people are internally displaced.

Agriculture is a source of livelihoods for nearly 70 percent of [...]

Myanmar food security crisis: FAO and the Central Emergency Response Fund are enabling vulnerable farmers to feed themselves and their communities

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar is facing a rapidly growing food security crisis where 13.2 million people are already food insecure

Using rural friendly Eco Stove effectively

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMT

"This eco-stove is easy to cook and works with a small amount of firewood. It is also safe from fire. It is lightweight and easy to carry around. It needs less firewood and significantly reduces the usage of firewood, compared to my old open fire stove," said Daw Aye Aye [...]

Taking steps to protect agricultural production and livelihoods in Rakhine State

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, with the support of the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund, has provided cash assistance to 1 200 farming families in at-risk villages across Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships in Rakhine State. Each of these farming households received USD 57.8 (MMK 105 000) to meet their immediate food needs [...]

FAO provides conditional cash grants to vulnerable farmers in Rakhine State

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMT

In September 2021, FAO concluded the provision of conditional cash transfers to 450 households across 16 villages in Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships in Rakhine State. The support was provided through a European Union-funded project that seeks to increase the resilience of livelihoods to natural hazards and conflicts in Rakhine State.

Cash assistance totaling USD 70 045 was provided to vulnerable [...]

FAO Myanmar-FishAdapt Project launches a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) knowledge sharing platform (beta version)

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Myanmar is implementing the project “FishAdapt: Strengthening the adaptive capacity and resilience of fisheries and aquaculture-dependent livelihoods in Myanmar” with funding from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The COVID-19 pandemic and other [...]

FAO Myanmar supports vulnerable conflict- and COVID-19-affected farmers in Rakhine State with urgent food security and livelihood needs

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Rakhine State is one of the poorest states in Myanmar, with over 40 percent of its households food insecure, more than half of whom are moderately or severely food insecure. The most vulnerable communities are unable to access sufficient food or a source of livelihood. Violent clashes over the past year [...]

Myanmar | FAO and the European Union promote small-scale inland aquaculture schemes to save livelihoods and enhance food security in Rakhine State

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT

In Rakhine State, on the west coast of Myanmar, more than 80 percent of the population live in rural villages and depend on agriculture, fishery and aquaculture as primary sources of livelihoods. A protracted conflict has continued to drive displacement and disrupt livelihoods since 2012. Compounding the situation is the vulnerability of [...]

Myanmar: A race to avoid increasing food insecurity

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Millions of people [...]

FAO increases household incomes through the rehabilitation and construction of small-scale multipurpose infrastructures in Myanmar

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks to a generous contribution from the European Union, the FAO ProAct project is rehabilitating five irrigation infrastructures in four townships in central and northern Rakhine State through cash-for-work (CFW) activities. A total of 596 vulnerable households were selected to participate in CFW activities in the targeted locations. Every participating household received an average of USD 95 after completion of [...]

National Workshop on Innovative Pathways to Climate Resilient Livelihoods

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

FAO has been collaborating with the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for the last more than 42 years contributing to the livelihood improvement and economic development in Myanmar leading towards achieving the Global Sustainable Development Goals. During the recent challenging situations due to the impacts of [...]

European Union instrumental in providing support to vulnerable women in northern and central Rakhine State

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

In August 2020, a new surge in locally transmitted cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Rakhine State and other regions of Myanmar. According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, as of 30 October, 50 403 confirmed cases have been reported in Myanmar, with 2 858 confirmed [...]

FAO and FCDO join forces to restore agriculture production and livelihoods in Mon and Kayin States and Tanintharyi Region

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the support of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), completed the provision of inputs for the most severe flood affected family farmers to restore agricultural production and livelihoods in southern parts of Myanmar.

The support is provided within the [...]

FAO marks World Food Day in Myanmar

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is celebrating World Food Day and 75 years of working to achieve a world without hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. As part of the celebrations, FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) held a virtual event with [...]

COVID-19 livelihoods impact on fishing communities in select regions of Myanmar

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic is a human health crisis and a continuing threat to the livelihood of Myanmar’s small scale fishing and aquaculture communities. The FAO/GEF Project on Strengthening the Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Fisheries and Aquaculture-dependent Livelihoods in Myanmar (FishAdapt) conducted an assessment in its targeted townships in Yangon South [...]

Myanmar participates in regional conference to plan responses and recovery work on twin pandemics of COVID-19 and hunger

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries is participating in the 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. Like most of the region's countries, Myanmar is experiencing disruptions to its food systems and agriculture sector.

"We actively engaged with partners in Myanmar as well as with [...]

FAO supports Myanmar veterinary services with virtual capacity building for a lumpy skin disease risk assessment

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Under COVID-19 restrictions, FAO’s Emergency Management Centre for Animal Health provided virtual support to Myanmar to develop its LSD preparedness

In December 2019, after monitoring the development of a lumpy skin disease (LSD) event in South Asia, FAO’s Emergency Management Centre for Animal Health (EMC-AH) activated a specific Incident Coordination [...]

Communities in Ayeyarwady Delta participate in efforts to restore mangrove forests

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Approximately three-quarters of Myanmar’s population dwells in rural area and relies on forest resources for daily socio-economic subsistence. Rural communities in the Ayeyarwady Delta region on Myanmar’s southwestern coast are no exception.

The Ayeyarwady Delta region has a high concentration of mangrove trees and shrubs growing at the intersection of land [...]

COVID-19 impacts on agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing communities in selected regions and states in Myanmar

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assessments of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing sectors show that measures to control the spread of COVID-19 have affected people’s way of life in Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, the Yangon Regions, and Chin and Rakhine States.

The assessments [...]

FAO provides teaching supplies and hardware equipment to the Forestry Department

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations provided teaching aids and hardware support to the Forest Department at the Forest Department headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw.

“To make agriculture and forestry more productive and sustainable, a holistic approach with actions to conserve, protect, and enhance natural resources is [...]

Towards innovative conflict-sensitive and human rights-based approaches to forest monitoring

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Governments of Myanmar and Finland on 16 June 2020 launched a trailblazing project designed to allow for monitoring of forests in a manner that is sensitive to local conflicts and protects human rights.

The five-year project will be implemented by FAO Myanmar in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources [...]

Towards innovative conflict-sensitive and human rights-based approaches to forest monitoring

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Governments of Myanmar and Finland on 16 June 2020 launched a trailblazing project designed to allow for monitoring of forests in a manner that is sensitive to local conflicts and protects human rights.

The five-year project will be implemented by FAO Myanmar in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources [...]

Addressing food and nutrition security in COVID-19 times and beyond

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Since March 2020, when Myanmar confirmed its first COVID-19 case, the number of cases has increased steadily. As in most countries worldwide, measures to contain the spread of the virus in Myanmar have disrupted livelihoods resulting in social and economic challenges. Health systems are rising to the challenge, while people [...]

Workshop on new Ecosystem Based District Forest Management Plan for three agroecological zones and districts in Myanmar by FAO - GEF Project (SLM)

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Final Workshop for launching the Ecosystem-based Sustainable Forest Management Planning Manual (ESFM PM), Ecosystem-based Sustainable Forest Management Implementation Manual (ESFM IM) and revised District Forest Management Plans (DFMPs) was held on 31^st January 2020 at Myat Taw Win Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw.

The final workshop was organized back to back [...]

Informal Country Level Consultation for the 35th Session of the FAO Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) in Myanmar

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

FAO Regional Conferences are an official forum where Ministers and high-ranking officials from FAO Members States come together and discuss the challenges in order to provide Safe and Sustain Food and Agriculture Systems in the region. FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific is convened every two years to [...]

Supporting for sustainable development of Myanmar Fisheries Sector

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT

With 2,832 kilometres of coastline, Myanmar possesses rich marine fisheries resources and a high level of biodiversity. The fisheries sector is an important source of livelihood and food security in the country. This puts a special responsibility on Myanmar to protect the country’s unique ecosystem, as per the long-term vision [...]

Ready to measure: Myanmar is designing and planning its new National Forest Inventory (NFI)

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar has one of the highest proportions of forest cover in mainland Southeast Asia. According to the Global Forest Resources Assessment, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2015, 44.2% of the country’s territory is covered with forests. A considerable amount of these forests is still relatively [...]

Pursuing economic, social and environmental development synergies in Myanmar

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Water is the lifeblood of ecosystems on which the food security and nutrition of present and future generations depend. Appropriate water quality and quantity is essential for food production (fisheries, crops and livestock), processing, transformation and preparation. FAO recognizes that it is crucial to call for urgent action in managing [...]

FAO supports African Swine Fever (ASF) emergency response in Myanmar

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most devastating diseases affecting pigs. As there are no efficient prevention methods, such as vaccination, the only means of its control is strict farm and vehicle biosecurity, the elimination of affected pig populations and strict regulation of the transportation of animals and [...]

Celebrating the national-level World Food Day 2019 event in Nay Pyi Taw

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, FAO Myanmar office joined global celebrations to mark the World Food Day 2019 with a ceremony organized at the office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation in the capital Nay Pyi Taw on 16 October.

Vice President of the [...]

World Food Day talk show in Myanmar

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

In cooperation with the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation and the Ministry of Health and Sports, FAO Myanmar organized a talk show in commemoration of the upcoming World Food Day. The talk show theme is “Agriculture-Nutrition linkages and dietary trends in Myanmar.”

The talk show guests [...]

Promoting World Food Day in public areas

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

In cooperation with Yangon Region Transport Authority, FAO Myanmar team has been organizing to broadcast the 30-second promotional video of World Food Day on the public transports as one of the activities to promote the World Food Day and public awareness on food security and nutrition in Myanmar. With the [...]

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- MESSAGE ON WORLD FOOD DAY (16 October 2019)

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

World Food Day is a global call for Zero Hunger -- for a world where nutritious food is available and affordable for everyone, everywhere.
But today, more than 820 million people do not have enough to eat.

And the climate emergency is an increasing threat to food security.

Meanwhile, two billion men, [...]

Enhancing the fire management capabilities of Myanmar

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Fire is an important factor in the management of many forests, woodlands and other vegetation types. It can be an efficient management tool for clearing land, removing debris and reducing fuel loads. However, uncontrolled forest wildfire can have severe negative impacts on human health, livelihoods, assets, air and water quality [...]

FAO support to improve timber legality of Myanmar

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar has a long history of good forest management and for centuries its timber products, especially natural teak, have been highly valued the world over. In recent decades, however, increased demand for timber, combined with reduced enforcement capacity and conflict in border areas, have seen an upsurge in illegal logging, [...]

SDG 2 - Zero Hunger Goal and the Food Security indicators

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT

FAO played an important role in the process leading to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The latter comprises 17 goals, 169 targets and 230 indicators. One of its main objectives is to guide the actions of governments, international agencies, civil society and other institutions till 2030.

In [...]

Green Ecology in Myanmar: Efforts to Mitigate the Threat of Climate Change

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Climate change is a global challenge and its impacts are reducing the capacity of natural resources. Myanmar is highly vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather conditions ranking among the top three countries most affected by weather related events. This has significant negative impact on agricultural production which potentially leads [...]

Forest Governance in Chin State – how FAO is helping strengthening Legal and Policy Framework

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Institutional and legal framework of governing natural resources in Myanmar is complex and challenging at various governance levels. There is an overlapping of roles and responsibilities among different government departments and administration bodies. Moreover, there is significant needs to consider public issues (such as the benefits and impacts of the [...]

Supporting the Government's efforts in achieving Zero Hunger Goal in Myanmar

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT

“The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” report of FAO mentioned that more than 820 million people are going hungry. But food security in our times isn’t only a matter of quantity, it’s also a question of quality. Unhealthy diets have now become a leading risk factor [...]

Regional training course on Basic Taxonomy and Identification of Marine Fish and Macroinvertebrates

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Correct identification is required in various aspects of fish biodiversity, fishery research and management. Integrating information on biodiversity with fisheries information is an essential component of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), an important tool to provide support to capacity development of fishery research and management in the region.

FAO, through the [...]

Update: African Swine Fever (A viral disease with 100% fatality rate)

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Regional update
African swine fever (ASF) is a virus disease endemic to parts of Africa where the virus circulates between warthogs and wild pigs. The virus persists with a reservoir in soft ticks (Ornithodorus moubata) that can live in warthog burrows. The virus does not cause significant disease in warthogs [...]

Enhancing capacity to fight the global threat: Fall Armyworm

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Originating from the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, the Fall Armyworm (FAW) was first detected in Africa in early 2016. Since then it has rapidly spread to a total of 44 countries in Africa by 2018, infesting tens of millions of hectares of crop fields. The caterpillar or [...]

Capacity building of CAHWs for healthier livestock and better income

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Aiming at supporting the livestock development, FAO through a LIFT-funded project has worked with the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) on developing a national policy to train and accredit Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs). The project is now piloting the accreditation of a first group of 59 CAHWs and [...]

"Food Safety, everyone's business": Celebrating the first World Food Safety Day in Myanmar

Sat, 08 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Food is the starting point of our energy, our health and our wellbeing and food safety has a critical role in assuring that food stays safe at every stage of the food chain. Widespread collaboration and contributions of all actors in the food supply chain, as well as good governance [...]

Strengthening resilience of Myanmar's aquaculture sector

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Fisheries and aquaculture sector in Myanmar is critically important to the country’s food and nutrition security and economy. At the same time, the country is vulnerable to extreme climate events, which have caused significant loss of lives, damage to infrastructure and also had important impact in the livelihoods of fishing [...]

Celebrating the World Environment Day 2019

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

A platform for action “World Environment Day” which falls on 5^th of June every year is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. Since it began in 1974, the event has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely [...]

FAO assists Myanmar to tackle Fire and Transboundary Haze issues

Fri, 31 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Wildfire refers to unwanted fires that have gone out of control, consuming vegetation in rural landscapes. Wildfires are a serious problem in Myanmar with local and wide reaching regional impacts. According to FAO analysis on NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, Myanmar has the highest burn rate in Southeast [...]

Beyond Planting Trees: Forest Pathways to No Poverty (SDG1) and Zero Hunger (SDG2)

Mon, 27 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Forest restoration and reforestation (FRR) in Asia is one of its major regional goals. According to FAO from 2000 to 2015, in Southeast Asia, the forest area has decreased to about 32 million ha, reflecting an annual decline of about 0.35% in their total forest cover of 924 million ha. [...]

Reviewing the “Evidence-based Risk Management along the Livestock Production and Market Chain”

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) are cooperating to implement the project “Evidence-based Risk Management along the Livestock Production and Market Chain.” This project is funded [...]

Ways forward for Myanmar National Forest Inventory

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Field Methodology Training to the Pioneer Field Crew Leaders and Assistant Field Crew Leaders for Myanmar National Forest Inventory

Myanmar has a long tradition in Forest Inventory and is among first countries in the world that historically had established sample-based large area forest inventories. The first National scale forest inventory was [...]

Hosting the Parliamentarians' visit to FAO project site in Nyaung U

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Agriculture, Livestock Breeding and Fishery Development Committee of Amyotha Hluttaw is currently conducting their field visits concerning the “analysis of reducing the side effects of chemical residue in agriculture.” Aiming to learn the situation at the community level for better solutions relating Food Safety, a group of the members of [...]

ASF Emergency Preparedness Mission to Myanmar

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Management Centre for Animal Health (EMC-AH) launched a mission this week in Myanmar to heighten preparedness for African swine fever. The mission was conducted in partnership with the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, FAO Myanmar, World [...]

Happy International Women's Day!

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

For this event, we would like to share the important role of women in forestry by sharing their messages.

"Men and women have different roles in every sector. Mothers can share knowledge directly to kids regarding the advantages of forest conservation and management."

Dr Myat Su Mon
Deputy Director,
Planning and Statistics Division,

African Swine Fever: A viral disease with 100% fatality rate

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease affecting pigs and wild boar with up to 100% fatality rate. The China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) confirmed the disease outbreak in Liaoning Province on 3 August 2018. Up to 18 January 2019, 103 ASF outbreaks detected in 24 [...]

Myanmar and UN's FAO agree a wide-ranging framework to improve nutrition and food security

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

19/02/2019, Nay Pyi Taw – The Government of Myanmar and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today signed a multi-year framework agreement that will create an enabling environment to improve nutrition and food security in Myanmar, while safeguarding and sustainably managing the use of natural resources.
The Country Programming [...]

Bringing hopes to farmers: FAO provides agricultural assistances with CERF funds

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

In 2018, heavy monsoon rains in July brought floods to many states and regions in central and south-eastern parts of Myanmar. According to the official statements, at least 22 people died and more than 155 000 people were displaced by this natural disaster at present year.

Ministry of Agriculture estimated that [...]

Launching the National Livestock Baseline Survey in Myanmar

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

In Myanmar, the livestock sector in particular is a very dynamic one, with demand for livestock products increasing in the context of increasing populations, increasing economic activity, and increased urbanization of the country and region. The full potential of the sector can be reached only with improved government policies and [...]

Bridging humanitarian and development assistances for rural communities in northern Rakhine

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Rakhine State is rich in natural resources, it has fertile soil as well as the favourable agro-ecological conditions. The primary source of livelihoods for the population of Rakhine State is crop production followed by livestock raising, casual labour and aquaculture.

The new FAO Country Programme Framework for Myanmar (2017-2022) sets as [...]

Significant advances in designing and planning of a National Forest Inventory (NFI) in Myanmar

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

A prime source of information about the state of the forests globally is the National-scale Forest Inventories (NFIs) at country level. In this context, FAO since its foundation in 1945, is helping countries in establishing and improving national capacities in collecting data on forests and monitoring the changes over time. [...]

Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture techniques and practices to the agricultural community in Myanmar

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF), FAO is implementing a five-year project on “Sustainable cropland and forest management in priority agro-ecosystems of Myanmar” aiming to build the capacity of farming and forestry stakeholders to mitigate climate change and improve land condition, by adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Forest Management policies [...]

Responding to animal disease outbreaks with risk communication in Myanmar

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

During an animal disease outbreak, consumers may be in danger of consuming infectious goods. However untrue unscientific rumours may arise. Consequently, farmers may fail to take appropriate action to prevent or control disease. Consumers often behave irrationally due to the false information broadcasted, fear and panic. This can cause demand [...]

Celebrating World Food Day 2018 in Myanmar

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

On 16^th October, Myanmar joined global celebrations to mark the World Food Day 2018 with a ceremony at the office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, which focused on the theme ‘Our Actions are Our Future. A #ZeroHunger world by 2030 [...]

Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture in Myanmar

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar is highly vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather conditions. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Myanmar ranks among the top three countries most affected by weather related events, which has led to massive displacement of people and the destruction of livelihoods, crops and other food sources. In [...]

Building response capacity for pandemic threats of zoonotic influenza in Myanmar Animal Health services

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Myanmar Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) organized a table-top outbreak simulation exercise on zoonotic H7N9 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among key animal health officers in a live bird market (LBM) in Myanmar. International avian influenza expert Dr [...]

The Nansen Research Vessel surveys in coastal areas of Myanmar

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As part of the implementation of FAO’s "Supporting the Application of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries management considering climate and pollution impacts" Programme ("EAF-Nansen Programme"), the most advanced research vessel in the world, the Dr Fridtjof Nansen has arrived in Myanmar to conduct a survey on fisheries resources and the [...]

Contributing in the rehabilitation of conflict affected people in Northern Rakhine State

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The situation in the northern townships of Rakhine State (NRS) (Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathidaung townships) drastically deteriorated after the attacks on the Border Guard Police (BGP) bases on the 25th of August followed by a major operation launched by the Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw) to capture those involved. .As a result, [...]

Stepping for the Ecosystem Based Conservation of Myanmar's southern Coastal Zone

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar has a relatively large, productive, and ecologically intact coastal zone. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Myanmar highlights the fact that the country still hosts an enormously rich and varied biodiversity, Mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, sandy beaches and intertidal mudflats are widely distributed. Especially, the [...]

Launching of National Climate Smart Agriculture Center

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

FAO is implementing the project entitled “Sustainable cropland and forest management in priority agro-ecosystem of Myanmar” in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation (MoALI). The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will run [...]

Building the Capacities to Conserve the Forests in Myanmar

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Increasing and improving provision of goods and services from agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a sustainable manner is one of the five Strategic Objectives of the FAO. As an effort of implementing this Objective, FAO launched a project in support of the “Capacity Building Training Program – Strengthening Capacity of [...]

Challenging to the end of hunger in Myanmar

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Among the great challenges the world faces is how to ensure that a growing global population - projected to rise to around 10 billion by 2050 – has enough quality food to meet their nutritional needs for a healthy life. This for a planet experiencing increasing water and land scarcity, [...]

FAO Myanmar Newsletter Issue 2, 2018

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

FAO Myanmar Newsletter Issue 2, 2018

Opening of new UN Office in Myanmar's Capital - Nay Pyi Taw

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

On 11^th July 2018, Mr Haoliang Xu, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific at UNDP officially inaugurated the new UN office in Myanmar’s Capital Nay Pyi Taw in the presence of H.E. U Soe Win, Union Minister, the Ministry of Planning [...]

The FAO-EU FLEGT Programme launches a new call for concept notes in VPA countries

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The FAO-EU FLEGT Programme is now accepting concept notes from government institutions, civil society, indigenous and tribal peoples, and private sector organisations in countries engaged in Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with the European Union. Grants up to USD 110 000 are available through the Programme to support ongoing VPA processes [...]

Video: Hydroponic garden and nutrition education: a successful approach to improve dietary diversity

Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The video promotes an integrated home garden/nutrition education approach in the framework of the project TCP/MYA/3505 and capture direct experiences of project participants and FAO Staff.

Myanmar is increasingly undergoing a trend of urbanization, bringing with it new sets of opportunities and challenges, fundamentally changing the nature of the underlying causes [...]

FAO Myanmar Newsletter Issue 1, 2018

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

FAO Myanmar has recently [...]

FAO supports stakeholder participation to strengthen animal health projects in Myanmar

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The Government of Myanmar and FAO are cooperating to implement the Australian funded project “Evidence-Based Risk Management along the Livestock Production and Market Chain.” FAO, through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), organized a stakeholder consultation on 31st March 2018 in Yangon’s poultry production zone (PPZ). It was [...]

FAO Myanmar celebrating the “International Day of Forests”

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

On 21^st March 2018, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations collaborated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) for the celebration of the International Day of Forests (IDF) in Nay Pyi Taw. The United Nations proclaimed the 21^st March to be the International Day [...]

Detecting a high-risk strain of avian influenza for the first time in Myanmar

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Animal health workers in Myanmar detected a strain of avian influenza virus in poultry, which had not been detected in the country before. The virus, influenza A(H5N6), presents a risk both to poultry and to humans. Spill over of infection of this sub-type has caused human deaths in China. Detection [...]

Asia-Pacific forest and farm producers pivotal to improving smallholder livelihoods and achieving regional SDGs in climate-resilient landscapes

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) from more than 10 countries of Asia-Pacific are gathering today in Myanmar for the second regional conference to accelerate and scale up implementation of the SDGs in climate-resilient landscapes for the benefit of local farm and forest communities.

The conference: “From users to producers: Scaling [...]

Experts meet in Nay Pyi Taw to discuss sustainability challenges in Asian Livestock Sector

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Livestock is central to some of the major challenges the world faces today and how we deal with these challenges will have significant implications on the wellbeing of future generations. The demand for livestock products is growing rapidly and this trend is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. The [...]

Policy Dialogue workshop on Food and Nutrition Security, Land and Rural Livelihoods in Myanmar

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The Food Security Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation Programme – FIRST, is a policy assistance facility that operates under a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). FIRST aims at contributing to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. In fact, it [...]

FAO celebrates 40th anniversary of the permanent presence in Myanmar

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN has organized a panel discussion “Food Security, Nutrition and Rural Development” to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the FAO presence in the country with the participation of key partners and the officials of concerned counterpart Departments from the Government of Myanmar.

The Republic [...]

World Food Day - FAO and IOM Joint Statement

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar is a country with high level of mobility. It has over 9.39 million internal migrants and estimated 4.25 million international migrants. Together, they represent 25 percent of the country’s total population of 51 million. This level of mobility - one in every four citizens is a migrant - is [...]

FAO Myanmar celebrating World Food Day

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) marks the observance of 37th World Food Day by celebrating series of events in Nay Pyi Taw organized in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI).

The celebrations have started with the memorial tree plantation ceremony for the 40^th [...]

PHOTO CONTEST

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

In celebration of 40th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN collaboration with the Government of Myanmar, FAO is organizing a photo contest at the theme “Food Security, Nutrition and Rural Development in Myanmar”.

How to participate in the photo contest:
1. The contest is open to all enthusiasts of photography who [...]

FAO Myanmar Newsletter, Issue 3

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar, Rakhine State not only has the highest level of poverty in the country but also suffers from excessive rates of malnutrition. Almost 50 percent of the children in Rakhine State are stunted because of insufficient [...]

FAO provides emergency livelihoods support in Rakhine and urges greater funding for agriculture-based emergency interventions

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Yangon, Myanmar – The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today announced that it has successfully delivered emergency assistance to more than six thousand rural households across Rakhine State, a region of Myanmar where nearly half the population is engaged in the agriculture sector.

In order to avoid food insecurity and [...]

International expert on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) visited Myanmar from 31 January to 3 February, 2017

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

FAO’s Thirtyninth Conference (in June, 2015) adopted Resolution 4/2015 on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which recognized that it poses an increasingly serious threat to public health and sustainable food production, and that an effective response should involve all sectors of government and society.

To support the implementation of Resolution 4/2015, the FAO [...]

UNREDD National Programme launched in Nay Pyi Taw

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar started its implementation of Myanmar REDD+ Readiness Roadmap through collaborative support from three UN agencies (UNDP, FAO and UNEP). A series of technical working groups meetings and technical trainings were organized to support in strengthening of the national capacity in designing and setting of National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) [...]

FAO helps rebuild farming livelihoods in Myanmar's conflict areas

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

U Maung Chay, a 48-year-old farmer and father of six, lives in one of the poorest, conflict-prone areas of Myanmar - Rakhine State. He is a member of the Muslim community, which has suffered inter-ethnic violence over several years. Many people [...]

Supporting Myanmar on the control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

02 December 2016 - Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is considered to be the swine disease with the largest economic impact for the pork industry at the global level, generating large losses to the commercial sector and also threatening backyard farmers’ livelihoods. To support Myanmar on its PRRS control [...]

Myanmar celebrating the World Food Day

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Climate is changing. Food and Agriculture must too.

16 Oct 2016. The Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) marks the observance of 36th World Food Day by celebrating the event in Nay Pyi Taw organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar. H.E. Henry Van Thio, [...]

Safer Animal Trade between Myanmar and China and South-South Cooperation

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Delegates from Myanmar attended a workshop titled “Stakeholder Workshop for Cross-border Safer Animal Trade” in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China from 11 to 13 September 2016. It was organized by FAO’s China Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) team and the Veterinary Bureau (VB) of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture [...]

Building Risk Assessment Capacity in Myanmar Animal Health Services

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

A workshop on qualitative risk assessment in animal health was organized by FAO’s Myanmar Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) team in Mandalay from 22 to 25 August 2016, with the aim to support the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) in its endeavor to make risk assessment a [...]

The Port State Agreement, a step forward to sink illegal fishing.

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Last year, roughly one of every six fish sold around the world was caught illegally.

That number is now poised to drop precipitously, thanks to the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), the world’s first international treaty designed specifically to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Under this new agreement, [...]

A pledge to support Myanmar in its drive toward future food and nutrition security

Tue, 17 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

By Kundhavi Kadiresan, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Myanmar is beginning its journey on the road to achieving ‘Zero Hunger’ and there is good reason to be optimistic that the final destination – the eradication of hunger and malnutrition – can [...]

Japanese support to FAO will improve agricultural livelihoods and build resilience in disaster- and conflict-affected communities

Tue, 03 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

A new contribution of USD 4.49 million by the Government of Japan will support FAO’s appeal under the 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan to provide assistance to flood- and conflict-affected communities in Myanmar. The funding will help more than 12 000 families in two of the poorest states in the country, [...]

UN and government partners for the protection of Myanmar's forests, critical for reducing climate change.

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Myanmar had in 2010 the third-highest annual rate of forest reduction, according to the most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment. This report released by the Food and Agriculture reveals the rapid loss of forestry coverage over the past decades in Myanmar. Between 1990 and 2015, the country lost nearly 15 million [...]

One Health strategy workshop sets priority topics for Myanmar

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Specialists in human health, animal health and the environment develop roadmap to tackle priority diseases/syndromes.

REPORT: FAO-WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to Myanmar

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

In flood-affected rural areas, poorest people face highest food insecurity risk and livestock and fisheries sectors yet to recover from severe damage

More than seven months after Cyclone Komen caused widespread flooding in Myanmar, poor rural communities are still enduring increased levels of [...]

Women, the unsung heroes of Myanmar's agricultural economy

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

On International Women's Day we celebrate the contribution of women in Myanmar's agricultural economy. [...]

Myanmar floods six months on

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Agricultural livelihoods are still buried in the mud and crops struggle to grow.

IN PHOTOS: Six months after the major floods in Myanmar

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Many vulnerable farmers are still struggling to rebuild their agricultural livelihoods.

Toward Zero Hunger: Myanmar celebrating the World Food Day

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), co-leading the Food Security Sector, mark World Food Day by celebrating the strong leadership and crucial contribution of the Government of Myanmar toward achieving zero hunger nationwide, which is the theme of [...]

Rural development efforts in Myanmar to focus on vulnerable fishing communities

Fri, 02 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

At the end of September, the Myanmar Department of Rural Development, FAO and partners hosted a workshop to present the intial research findings from a national survey on social protection and poverty dimensions in support of rural development and poverty reduction in Myanmar. The workshop was opened by H.E.U. Tin [...]

Myanmar floods deal major blow to country's agriculture

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

While assessments are underway, situation remains largely ignored by international community.

Article. The needs for improving legal and institutional framework for fisheries and aquaculture in Myanmar

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT

FAO Myanmar currently has been supporting the Government of Myanmar in a number of legislation issues concerning Fisheries and Aquaculture. However, the current legal instruments were developed at the end of the '1980s and beginning of the '1990s. Much has happened since and the legislation is in need of reform [...]