Small-Scale Drip Irrigation Opportunities in Myanmar

This is the executive summary of a larger piece produced for GCC. The full article will be available next month.

http://dripirrigation.blog.com/2012/06/14/drip-irrigation-systems-a-cost-effective-gardening-choice/

Small-Scale Drip Irrigation Opportunities in Myanmar 

By: Green Communities Consulting

Water resources are not always abundant for small holder agricultural activities, especially during the dry season; therefore, more efficient water usage is of dire importance to sustainable agricultural procedures. Small-scale irrigation technologies are now making it easier for small holder farmers to supply their crops with the optimal amount of water for increased growing efficiency. One of the most successful irrigation technologies being implemented today is drip irrigation. Drip irrigation supplies a systematically measured amount of water directly to the root system of crops; an important innovation when water is scarce. In providing water directly to the root system, drip irrigation works as a mechanism to keep the soil moisture at optimal levels for increased crop yield.

In addition, the benefit of supplying water directly to the root system is that the farmer uses significantly less water than other common watering techniques, like that of bucket flooding. The conserved water can then be allocated to different resources at the farmers’ discretion. Assembly of drip irrigation systems is forthright, and construction supplies are easy to obtain in Myanmar and at a low-cost.

The most cost-effective pump for small-scale drip irrigation is called a treadle pump, which can be easily purchased in Myanmar. Due to the simplicity of the system and ease of regulating the amount of water being dispersed, it is straightforward to control and manage. Maintenance of drip irrigation systems is not difficult to teach and should be taught to multiple farmers. The benefits of installing a drip irrigation system have been well-documented with small farmers having increased their average annual net income by 100 to 125 US dollars per year after installation. This indicates that drip irrigation systems, when properly maintained and managed, can increase a small farmer’s food security and water security.

The Myth of "Pauk-Phaw"

"The following content was contributed by a guest blogger. The opinions expressed or implied herein may not be the opinions of Green Communities Consulting." 

By Zachary James

        The relationship between China and Myanmar has had its ups and downs over the past few decades, but has generally always maintained an integrity of friendliness.  This friendliness is demonstrated in the word that Myanmar uses for its relationship with China.  "Pauk-Phaw" is the word for brotherhood in Myanmar, and has been used in reference to China since at least the 1980's. 

        This brotherhood has essentially been an economic and political one, with both parties involved supposedly gaining equal benefit from it.  Myanmar receives much needed investment capital and trained experts in order to develop its infrastructure, and China receives trade access to the Indian Ocean via the Bay of Bengal and a percentage of the benefits derived from Myanmar's increased development. 

        Or at least, that's how it's supposed to work.  When president Thein Sein abruptly suspended construction on the Chinese-backed Myitsone Dam in September of 2011, it appeared that all was not right with the brotherhood. 

oil pipeline in Italy

        The Chinese government is not famous for its environmentally friendly attitudes towards development and industry, and their view on the abundant natural beauty of Myanmar is no exception.  As the government in Myanmar became more democratically open, the voice of the people was heard.  In that case, the people decided that the Dam would cause more environmental harm than could be compensated by the economic benefits of the dam.   
         What this demonstrates is that, arguably, the Myanmar people have for the first time gained the power necessary to have a say in foreign relations.  The fact that the Myanmar people chose the subject of "Pauk-Phaw" to voice their concern over is no coincidence.  Many Myanmar see the Chinese as greedy, opportunistic land grabbers who do not care for the people who happen to live in the area whose resources  

they want. The Chinese, for example, have majority ownership in the Sino-Burma oil and gas pipelines, despite the fact that most of its length travels through Myanmar territory.  These pipelines, set to open in May, can carry an estimated 22 million tons of crude oil.  Of those 22 million tons, Myanmar will receive roughly two million.  Myanmar may need aid in the development of its natural resources, but it must only take that aid when it benefits as much as its partner.  The Sino-Burmese pipeline is not alone.  Across Myanmar, Chinese-backed projects are giving Myanmar all of the environmental risk and very little of the financial reward.  This is not lost on the Myanmar.

        It remains to be seen how much control the people of Myanmar can exert over the pressures of development.  The government it seems is now caught in a tug of war between the will of its people and the power-thirsty belly of its "brother" to the north.  Development will certainly bring improvements to the quality of life of many Myanmar, but development comes at a cost, and China appears more than willing to pass the check on this one.