Connections with traders, strong farmer associations and a keen market understanding are all critical to helping rural communities to maximize the value of their farm products from seed to market.
MIID, supported through a grant awarded by USAID-funded Winrock International, is implementing a value chain promotion project in Southern Shan state that aims to increase incomes of participating households through the improvement of their agricultural practices, products, and marketing.
The project’s ethnic Taungyoe communities are positioned high up in the hills and while they are only a few miles from Myanmar’s Inlay Lake and active trade centers in Aungban and Nyaungshwe, weather, poor roads and lack of knowledge keep the approximately 400 households in the project area from getting the most out of the goods they produce.
Building on MIID’s past research, the project is conducting market surveys on regional business activity with a focus on improving private sector engagement, creating gender-balanced farmer associations and providing an extensive package of training and capacity building support. The crops selected for particular attention include bamboo, ginger and groundnut.