Climate and nutrition smart villages as platforms to address food insecurity in Myanmar
Myanmar is at risk from a wide range of natural hazards, including cyclones, floods, and droughts. These risks are especially challenging for poor rural women and children, who suffer even more from hunger, food insecurity, and a lack of adequate health services. Since these risks differ across agro-ecosystems in the country, it is crucial that adaptation measures recognize the value of targeted, location-specific, community-based strategies and processes.
Community-based adaptation approaches have been tested in the Philippines for the past three years and are currently being mainstreamed via national government processes. This project builds on lessons from these methodological, institutional, and model-building research efforts leveraging the linkages between agriculture, climate change, and nutrition.
The goal of this project is to identify and scale optimal climate-smart agriculture practices and interventions suitable for the four major agro-ecological regions of Myanmar: the central dry zone, the mountain uplands, the upland-plateau, and the delta.
Using participatory research methods, the study, implemented by the New York City-based International Institute for Rural Reconstruction, will assess a portfolio of low-cost technologies and interventions in selected locations that serve as Climate Smart Villages. Towards the end of the project, scalable models will lead to guidelines for promoting a number of proven approaches that farmers can select for their specific agro-ecological zones.
Project ID
108748
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
36 months
IDRC Officer
Annie Wesley
Total Funding
CA$ 727,860.00
Location
Myanmar
Programs
Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Agriculture and Food Security
Institution Country
Philippines
Project Leader
Wilson Barbon
Institution
International Institute of Rural Reconstruction
Institution Website
Outputs
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Building adaptive capacities of local communities : stories of change from the climate smart villages in Myanmar Brief
This compilation of stories from Myanmar’s climate smart villages (CSV) provides a glimpse into how individual households are affected by CSVs. At least 600 smallholder farming households have benefitted. They received resources to implement and test adaptation options, with enhanced learning through training, workshops, and opportunities to engage with other farmers and organizations. This three-year project saw villagers across CSVs organize themselves into groups to address climate-related risks in their communities. It has helped improve the capacity of villagers in adapting to climate change impacts. As well, groups that emerged from CSVs have become critical platforms for innovation. Author(s): Myae, Chan, Lian, August Vanbawi, Khar, Salai Ngun, Myint, Ohn, Barbon, Wilson John Language: English |
Emerging portfolio of climate smart agriculture options in Sakta Village : Hakha Township, Hakha District Chin State, Hilly Region Study
Sakta village is located in the Hakha Township, Chin State, which is one of the least developed areas of Myanmar with the highest poverty rate of all regions. Unprecedented extreme rainfalls have caused serious landslides. Most of the agricultural lands in Sakta village are rainfed uplands where communities still practice shifting cultivation. Climate Smart Agriculture options are very locally specific and the options vary depending on agro-ecological zones and local culture. Some Indigenous practices which communities are using traditionally are already climate smart and just need to be refined or enriched. Author(s): Myae, Chan Language: English |
Annex 12A : profile of Htee Pu climate smart village Study
This report provides a background assessment of Htee Pu village in Nyaung Oo township, in the Dry Zone of Myanmar. Main economic activities are subsistence farming such as rice paddy, sesame, pigeon pea, groundnut, and small-scale livestock rearing. Irregular farm incomes limit the purchase and effective use of quality inputs, including seed, fertilizer, pesticide, and labor. Food insecurity is a primary constraint for Dry Zone communities, where water is scarce, vegetation cover is thin, and soil is degraded due to severe erosion. The situation is characterized by a reliance on market purchase for food access in a context of low, undiversified, agriculture-based incomes, high debts, and reliance on credit. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Climate smart villages (CSVs) : platforms for scaling out climate smart agriculture and community-based adaptation in Myanmar Report
The presentation reviews background and some specifics of projects undertaken in Myanmar with regard to climate smart agriculture. Farm-level, homestead and school level testing sites are covered. The projects move toward capacity building in terms of scaling up, and evidence-based policy making in relation to climate change and food security. Author(s): Barbon, Wilson John Language: English |
Diversification : reducing risks, increasing incomes while enhancing adaptive capacities in the Ayeyarwady Delta Report
The Ma Sein Climate Smart Village (CSV) is located in Ayeyarwady Region in the southwest part of Myanmar. Situated at the base of the delta, Bogale is susceptible to effects of sea level rise, flooding, and saline water intrusion. Farm households that do not diversify their income sources (having sole reliance on rice-based agriculture) are more vulnerable. Diversification of alternative livelihoods is a key strategy for enhancing adaptive capacities. This could include small livestock, aquaculture, and homestead intensification. Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) demonstrate community-based adaptation in agriculture in different agroecological zones in Myanmar. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) Language: English |
Emerging portfolio of climate smart agriculture options in Htee Pu Village : Nyaung U Township, Nyaung DistrictMandalay Division, Study
Although agriculture is the major subsistence livelihood, the harshness of climate conditions including low and unpredictable annual rainfall are most serious limiting factors for HteePuvillage. Nyaung U has the lowest annual rainfall among dry zones of Myanmar. Diversification and intensification are key elements in the climate smart agriculture (CSA) strategy. Many households have been introduced to three types of pulses (Lab Lab, Lima bean, and cowpea) which have local market potential. Future work will include enrichment planning of community forests with multiple use tree and grass species to serve as “banks” in case of long droughts. Author(s): Myae, Chan Language: English |
Modules for farmer learning sessions Study
The farmer learning sessions are interventions directed at increasing the knowledge and skills of target farmers in the climate smart villages (CSV) about climate smart practices in agriculture production. These sessions will support farmers as they innovate, test and learn from the various climate smart agriculture (CSA) options they previously identified. Learning session topics include: 1) What is Climate Change? 2. What causes Climate Change? 3. What is greenhouse gases (GHG)? 4. How does agriculture contributes to GHG? 5. What are concepts of CSA? 6. What are the practices of CSA? Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Resource conservation in the uplands of Southern Shan : how climate-smart agriculture can help Report
Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) demonstrate community-based adaptation in agriculture in different agroecological zones in Myanmar. The aim of this presentation “primer” is to provide background information on the agriculture, livelihoods, nutrition, gender, and climate change context of each CSV in its regional context. The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) program should consider distributing diversity kits of planting materials (intra-species, varietal diversity of beans, green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, and millets) as part of an effort to restore or strengthen local agro-biodiversity. Reforestation and agroforestry are also important pathways for the restoration of landscapes and their associated ecosystem services. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) Language: English |
Socio-technical methodologies in establishing climate smart villages in Myanmar as platform to promote climate smart agriculture Article
The paper provides some results of a three-year Climate smart villages (CSV) project in four ecological zones of Myanmar, involving four project villages. The agro-ecological context is primary, as effects of climate change are location specific. Community-based and needs driven approaches which feature increased levels of community participation and engagement are needed for scalable models. Climate smart villages (CSVs) are on-site, on-location platforms where discovery, learning and sharing happens. Designed to be low cost, they typically feature local teams and institutions in order to enhance their role as “lighthouses” to support wider uptake. Author(s): Barbon, Wilson John, Myae, Chan, Noe, Su Myat, Gonsalves, Julian Language: English |
Integrating gender dimensions in the Myanmar climate-smart villages Paper
Climate Smart Village (CSV) practices include climate-smart agriculture (CSA), which aims to be ecologically, culturally and gender responsive. This study focuses on the CSA program in Myanmar which responded to needs of women smallholder farmers in relation to climate-hazards and risks. Homesteads and raising small livestock are perceived as women’s domains. There is a need to provide women with capacity building to sustain and transform economically lucrative homestead and livestock production that will supplement field production of crops dominated by men. Promoting a “portfolio” of options approach will give target communities a diverse set of adaptive opportunities tailored to the economic context of households. Author(s): Dayo, Maria Helen, Barbon, Wilson John, Thant, Phyu Sin, Gonsalves, Julian Language: English |
Applying participatory action research methods in community-based adaptation with smallholders in Myanmar Article
Smallholder farms in four unique agroecological regions in Myanmar were targeted in this participatory study. Key support systems are needed for effective community engagement in implementing Climate Smart Villages (CSV). Farmers in the CSVs identified a menu of adaptation options that they would test, adopt and scale. This “portfolio approach” ensured there were opportunities for men, women, and landless households to participate in the community adaptation process. The research suggests that land tenure regimes influence the nature of the adaptation options and their eventual uptake. The study provides geographic and climate details specific to each region and relates them to perceptions of smallholder households. Author(s): Barbon, Wilson John, Myae, Chan, Vidallo, Rene, Thant, Phyu Sin, Monville-Oro, Emilita, Gonsalves, Julian Language: English |
Community-level impacts of climate-smart agriculture interventions on food security and dietary diversity in climate-smart villages in Myanmar Article
Based on survey responses, the study examined how pathways of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, tailored to different contexts of Myanmar’s four agroecological regions, contributed to observed changes in health and livelihoods. Livelihood resilience may rely on diversification, including climate smart fruit trees; livestock; and off‐farm incomes, as risk aversion strategies for the rural poor. Analysis of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) findings indicate that current nutrition education interventions in Myanmar CSVs are inadequate, and will need further improvement for better health and nutrition outcomes. Author(s): Hanley, Andrew, Brychkova, Galina, Barbon, Wilson John, Noe, Su Myat, Myae, Chan, Thant, Phyu Sin, McKeown, Peter C, Gonsalves, Julian, Spillane, Charles Language: English |
Scaling of climate-smart agriculture via climate-smart villages in Southeast Asia : insights and lessons from Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar Paper
This paper presents a synthesis of diverse experiences of climate-smart villages (CSV) in Southeast Asia. CSVs have leveraged knowledge transfer activities via farmer-to-farmer engagements and roving workshops. They have also assisted in development of national policies where climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and CSVs can be mainstreamed. Policies such as Vietnam’s Nong Thon Moi national rural development program, Myanmar’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy and the Philippine Department of Agriculture systemwide program: Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture, are all significant policy drivers of scaling CSA via CSVs in these countries. An 8-step guide on setting up CSVs has been developed. Author(s): Barbon, Wilson John, Punzalan, Bermenito, Wassman, Reiner, Bui, Le Vinh, Villanueva, Jerome, Talsma, Tiffany, Bayot, Ruvicyn, Gonsalves, Julian Language: English |
Climate and nutrition-smart villages as platforms to address food insecurity in Myanmar Report
Research findings indicate the importance of land tenure, poverty levels and specific climate risks and vulnerabilities in implementing the climate smart villages (CSV) approach in Myanmar. The “portfolio approach” to adaptation is about presenting a menu of options that households can choose to implement or not depending on their capacity. Poverty and wealth levels affect adaptation, influencing adoption choices. CSVs serve as platforms and venues for climate change adaptation wherein location-specific strategies are tested, developed and scaled up. The research also confirmed the value of social learning processes in generating the co-benefits of gender equity and nutrition. Author(s): Barbon, Wilson John, Myae, Chan, Gonsalves, Julian Language: English |
Annex 11 : primer on climate smart village (Myanmar) Training Materials
This primer (in English and Burmese) presents the Climate Smart Village (CSV) approach to community interventions for enhancing rural livelihoods. CSVs provide venues where stakeholders collectively participate in program/project planning and implementation to generate practical adaptation and mitigation options to improve food security, nutrition and climate resilience. The Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) approach uses a 10 km x 10 km grid, which covers the target CSV, landscapes, and ecosystems nearby. Thus CSVs can compare and evaluate changes in livelihoods and landscapes/ ecosystems before and after interventions. The primer answers what would be frequently asked questions (FAQ). Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Annex 10 : scaling out community-based adaptation (CBA) via climate smart villages Training Materials
The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and its partners will study a network of Climate Smart Village (CSV) platforms that are implementing community-based adaptation (CBA) processes. These can influence potential next users including the government. This research aims to build on gender sensitive, nutrition-friendly, community-based adaptation (CBA) and local-level scaling-out of climate smart agriculture (CSA). Participatory action research undertaken in four climate smart villages (CSVs) represent four major agroecological regions in Myanmar. The brochure provides a summary and outline of the proposed project. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Annex 12B: profile of Kyaung Taung climate smart village Study
In KyaungTaung village (Shan State, Myanmar) all households are engaged in agriculture. Water scarcity is a significant factor hampering the community to ensure their own food security and other aspects of their livelihoods. There is lack of access to public or private extension services, which has led to inappropriate cultivation practices (shifting cultivation/slash and burn). This report provides a background assessment of agricultural practices, food security, nutrition, livelihoods, gender dimensions, and climate change risks and impacts for this forested region. KyaungTaung land is classed as forest land and hence, none of the villagers have land tenure documents. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Annex 12D : profile of Saktha climate smart village Study
In 2016 Myanmar Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy was launched towards building resilience in agriculture. Climate Smart Villages (CSV) demonstrate community-based adaptation in agriculture in different agroecological zones in Myanmar. This report provides background information regarding the agriculture, livelihoods, nutrition, gender and climate change context of Saktha village in Chin State. The village is representative of regional agriculture and related issues involving food security and nutrition. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Portfolio of climate smart agriculture options in Kyaung Taung Village : Nyaung Shwe Township, Shan State (Southern), Upland, Myanmar Study
In recent years KyuangTaung village (Myanmar) has experienced several climatic changes, such as frequent alteration in rainfall pattern, increase in temperature variations, and strong wind and drought events. Climate Smart technological options are presented in this brief report, with a review of the various innovations which have been implemented, along with current observations. Author(s): Myae, Chan Language: English |
Emerging portfolio of climate smart agriculture options in Masein Village : Bogale Township, Pyapon District, Irrawaddy Division, Study
Like most villages in the Delta region, Masein experiences sea level rise, annual flooding, rainfall and temperature increases. Higher water levels as a result of sea level rise are the major concern for the community in Masein: the risk of flooding of rice lands and the challenge/of rice-drying at harvest-time. Climate smart agricultural adaptations include: school gardens/aquaculture; intensification of livestock production; pork production with introduction of local fodder crops (Trichanthera); duck rearing for egg production; home garden/aquaculture; fruit tree (banana and apple) gardening. Author(s): Myae, Chan Language: English |
Promoting nutrition co-benefits of climate smart agriculture in Myanmar : modules for village-level nutrition education sessions Study
This collection of modules is developed to guide field implementers in facilitating nutrition education sessions linking agriculture and nutrition. Malnutrition is the final outcome of a combination of determinants clustered into food, health, and care; it requires responses from an array of sectors: food security; public health; water, sanitation and hygiene; and social protection. Modules include: 1) Causes and consequences of malnutrition 2) Nutrition assessment 3) Agriculture and nutrition 4) Promoting healthy eating 5) Promotion of breastfeeding 6) Recipes and cooking demonstration 7) Improved sanitation practices. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Capitalizing on local livelihood diversity : enhancing resilience building of small highland farms Report
Food insecurity in the Chin highland region is mostly due to reduction of crop yield resulting from land degradation, reduced soil fertility, and weed infestation. Climate change is expected to worsen soil fertility as organic matter diminishes under high temperatures. Free grazing in summer further degrades farms. In the Saktta Climate Smart Village (CSV), new corn and upland rice varieties derived from the Aungban Research Station were tested and found promising. CSVs demonstrate community-based adaptation in agriculture in different agroecological zones in Myanmar. Where shifting cultivation is practiced, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) options can help to stabilize farms. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), Gonsalves, Julian, Barbon, Wilson John, Myae, Chan, Latt, Yinn Minn Language: English |
Nutrition co-benefits of climate-smart agriculture in Myanmar Report
The presentation provides background to Myanmar’s agricultural economy and the men and women who grow and process food. Climate change vulnerability adds to the instability of food security and human nutrition. A pilot project for four “climate smart villages” (CSV) is testing and developing technical, social, and institutional adaptation innovation using community-based adaptation approaches. Increasing the diversity of agricultural activities may improve the intake of a variety of foods, while community-based adaptation approaches build on Indigenous knowledge. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Regenerating drylands in response to a changing climate Report
Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) demonstrate community-based adaptation in agriculture in different agroecological zones in Myanmar. The aim of this presentation “primer” is to provide background information on the agriculture, livelihoods, nutrition, gender, and climate change context of each CSV in its regional context and present processes for outreach and “outscale” of CSV innovations. Water is scarce in the dry zone with ongoing priorities for human and livestock use. The rich agrobiodiversity in the central drylands of Myanmar can be characterized as climate-smart; conservation through productivity enhancement and sustainable use are high priorities for proponents of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) Language: English |
De-risk South East Asia Brief
The project aims to develop climate risk management systems in key SE Asia countries which include insurance products that help shield smallholder farmers and businesses in coffee, sugar, rice, cassava, rubber, dairy, and grazing, across the agricultural value chain. These products could protect smallholders from physical and financial disaster associated with climate change. For the development of insurance products, one of the challenges is to increase the level of awareness among farmers and policymakers about the potential role of insurance in risks transfer, including raising the awareness of insurance policy creators. Author(s): Stefanski, Robert Language: English |
Annex 2 : field activities report Paper
The paper provides an overview of village crops: corn, rice, cowpeas, sorghum, soybeans, vegetable varieties, and fruits. Livestock and fishery activity are also reported on. Suggestions and recommendations from the field visits include, among others: to collect data on cost and benefits of seasonal fish ponds and those related to pig rearing households; select beneficiaries for each aforementioned activity; order seedlings in advance from the proper departments (forestry and agricultural nurseries); distribute upland rice and corn seeds and seedlings; prepare label cards for a potatoes’ cultivar center and all distributed field crops. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Annex 12C : profile of Ma Sein climate smart village Study
The main livelihood activity of Ma Sein village is agriculture – primarily rice cultivation. The Ayeyarwaddy Delta of southern Myanmar where Ma Sein village lies, is a fragile and an intricate ecosystem of mangrove swamps and tidal estuaries. Poor water control and drainage contribute to periodic flooding and crop losses. This report provides a background assessment of agricultural practices, food security, nutrition, livelihoods and climate change risks and impacts for this deltaic region. It includes information on partnerships with NGOs and government ministries working towards the climate smart village project. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |
Annex 1 : draft nutrition education modules for the CSVS Training Materials
The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) studied how a network of Climate Smart Villages (CSV) in Myanmar might serve as platforms to help implement community-based adaptation (CBA) processes and increase food security. These education modules are part of the outputs of this project, building on gender sensitive, nutrition-friendly, community-based adaptation (CBA) and local-level scaling-out of climate smart agriculture (CSA). Participatory action research undertaken in four climate smart villages (CSVs) represent four major agroecological regions of Myanmar. Author(s): International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Language: English |