| Author | Htoi Hkawang Li Maran |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-13-01 |
| Subject(s) | Opium poppy--Myanmar--Shan State
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for thedegree ofMaster of Science inAgricultural Systemsand Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-13-01 |
| Abstract | The interest for opium poppy cultivation in South East Asia especially in Myanmar is increasing due to a strong demand and an attractive income potential for opium farmers‟. Although the cultivation of opium poppy is popular due to itsgreat economic benefit, there is still the existence of poverty in the opium-growing region. The present study focused on Northern Shan State of Myanmar and assessed overallfarmers‟ perception and participation inopium and non-opium cultivationin the study area.Data collection was done by the purposive sampling of sixty households from two Townships of Northern Shan State. The software package SPSS(Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)was usedfor the dataanalysis. WAI (weighted average index) was utilized to estimate the levelson farmers‟ perception and participation that would beneeded to help opium-growing families develop sustainableplans for alternative legal crops and livelihoods.The findingsof this study showedreal situation of farmers‟ perception about what exactly is lacking for the successful implementation of alternativesfortheopium poppy growers. The study addressed the very important issues of socioeconomic factors that influence the cultivation of opium-and non-opium growing farmers. As a cash crop,opium was favored by farmers‟ compared with other available cash crops such asmaize as because other crops were very difficult to market (lack of transport facilities) or less profitable (due to market prices). Opium poppy crop was replaced by sugarcane and maize (high yielding variety) in non-opium growing area. The economic profit of crop production has been shown clearly linked to the ups and downs of investments. The illicit agricultural production often yields gross revenues that are much higher than those allowed by licit agricultural production. However, opium generated less percent gross income per hectare in the study area because of its differential variable costs compared with maize. It is due to higher production cost for opium cultivation than maize.Farmers‟ perception regardingparticipation in growing opium wasdue to the lack of law enforcement. There weremany positive factors which motivatedfarmers to grow opium in the opium-growingregion. For instances, lack of law enforcement, large amounts of investments from businessmen, and higher net income were some of the influencing factors for opium cultivation in theopium growing region. In contrary, law enforcement wasvery strictly implementedin non-opium growing region. This can be called securityrule of law for alternatives. Due to the strict law enforcement, farmers changed their minds with respect toopium poppy production. The community development program was found in the non-opium growing region. The region received awareness, trainings, and helpsto stop the production of illegal crops. Networking opened their ways of thinking on education, health, marketing, and communications. Alternatives improved sustainability in the region.The research found that the level of education influenced significantly on opium cultivation. The surveyed farmers‟ who had lack of education orlow level of education were largely found in the opium-growing areas.This study would help reduce poverty, improve environmental protection, and food securityfor the opium-growers by providing them with viable and sustainable alternatives.This research study was of utmost important as any reduction in illicit opiumcultivation and production couldbring tangible benefits to the lives of ordinary people. |
| Year | 2013 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-13-01 |
| 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) | Datta, Avishek |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Grunbuhel, Clemens |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Joint Janpan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP);AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2013 |