Assessment of land productivity and socio-economic aspects of maize-based cropping systems: a case study of dry and Hilly Regions in Myanmar | |
| Author | Mae Suu Han |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-10-04 |
| Subject(s) | Corn--Social aspects--Myanmar--Hilly Regions Sustainable agriculture--Myanmar--Hilly Regions Corn--Economic aspects--Myanmar--Hilly Regions |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural System & Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-10-04 |
| Abstract | In Myanmar, maize is the most prominent feed grain and one of the export commodities. Legumes are considered as a vegetable protein source for domestic consumption and an important exportable commodity. The most productive area of maize is located in the hilly region followed by the dry region. The dry region has the largest share of legume cultivation followed by the hilly region. To understand the maize based cropping systems, this study was conducted to evaluate the socio-economic aspects of maize-legume and non legume cropping systems in the hilly region, and the dry region, using total of 103 respondents. Analytical tools used consists of descriptive statistics, cross tabs, Chi-square test, T-test, correlation and weighted average index which were calculated based on the scores acquired from questionnaires following interviews using SPSS version 16 and Microsoft Excel 2007 software. To expose farm incomes, economic analysis was used. Soil fertility was evaluated on the basis of moisture, pH, soil texture (sand, silt and clay), organic carbon, humus, available nitrogen (N2), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Land productivity in cropping systems was investigated using land productivity index to identify appropriate cropping systems. To compare livelihood capitals between maize-based cropping systems, weighted average index was applied. The main findings revealed that the average crop yields are still low in both study areas. The fertilizer usage is mostly with chemical fertilizers. Only farmers from the dry region apply organic matter, but inappropriate crop residue management was observed in hilly region. Most of farmers are unaware of benefit of fertilizer usage, soil fertility management and legume cultivation. All farmers prefer HYVs, but lacking understanding of intensive agricultural care needed. In the hilly region, maize-pigeon pea-sunflower and maize-sunflower-niger cropping systems had the highest productivity among all cropping systems and the suitable escapism cropping systems from the crops failure while maize-chick pea-fallow, maize-green gram-fallow and maize-sesame-fallow were in the dry region. The farmers have access to small credit from MADB’s loans; but not been able to incur sufficient investment in their farms. The soil N2 in legume sown area is more fertile than under non legume sown area. Overall the nutrient status of both study areas is low. Natural shocks such as drought damage in the hilly region and flood in the dry region and labor scarcity, pest and disease outbreak were major constraints. In the hilly region, the maize-legume growers have higher human capital, natural capital, physical capital and social capital except financial capital as compared to maize-non legume growers. In the dry region, maize-legume growers have comparatively higher livelihood capitals to maize-non legume growers. Considering assessment of livelihood capitals in both study areas, the farmers in the dry region have higher capitals of the human, natural, social and financial except physical capitals than farmers in the hilly region. This study revealed that crop diversity and income diversification in the hilly region is less than that in the dry region. If crop diversification, integrated nutrient and pest management and balance use of inorganic fertilizers were adopted, households could make farming sustainable. Besides, if the farmers were aware and had access to proven technologies, it could be one of the poverty escapisms. Research and developments of legume-based relay intercropping, soil conservation and other appropriate practices are recommended for raising family income. |
| Year | 2010 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-10-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ranamukhaarachchi, S. L. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | World Bank (JJ/WBGSP) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2010 |