Minister' s Office
Phone:-95-67-410004
Fax.-95-67-410130
Department of Agricultural Planning
Phone:-95-67-410005
Fax.-95-67-410119
e-mail: dap.moai@myanmar.com.mm
Myanma Agriculture Service
Phone:-95-67-410007
Fax.:-95-67-410138
e-mail:mas.moai@mptmail.net.mm
Settlement & Land Records Department
Phone:-95-67-410006
Fax.:-95-67-410136
e-mail:dg1.hq@slrd.moai.gov.mm
Irrigation Department
Phone:-95-67-410008
Fax.:-95-67-410018
e-mail:dg-irr@myanmar.com.mm
Agricultural Mechanization Department
Phone:-
Fax.:
e-mail:amd-ict@myanmar.com.mm
Water Resources Utilization Department
Phone:
Fax.:
e-mail:wrud@myanmar.com.mm
Myanma Agricultural Development Bank
e-mail:madb@mptmail.net.mm
Department of Agricultural Research
Phone:-95-67-416531
Fax.:-95-67-416535
e-mail:director-dar@myanmar.com.mm
Myanmar Industrial Crops Development Enterprise
Yezin Agricultural University
Phone:-95-67-416516
Fax.:-95-67-416517
e-mail:rector-yau@cybertech.net.mm
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Yezin Agricultural University (YAU)
Agricultural education at college level, in the Union of Myanmar was started on December 22, 1924 with the establishment of the Agricultural College and Research Institute of Mandalay. Initially, the college offered a diploma course which was of 3-year duration. In 1938, the college became a constituent college of the University of Yangon. Students who had passed the Intermediate of Science examination of the Rangoon University were admitted to the agricultural course and were conferred B.Sc.(Agriculture) degree after two year period of study. In 1947, the college was transformed to the status of Faculty of Agriculture in Mandalay under the administration of the University of Rangoon . The two-year agricultural course was extended to three-year course in 1955 and B.Sc.(Sericulture) degree was also awarded in that year.
The Faculty of Agriculture was further upgraded to a separate University known as the Institute (University) of Agriculture. Due to the expansion programme, the Institute was moved from Mandalay to Yezin in 1973. Master's courses were offered beginning 1978 with the introduction of a semester credit system.
The Faculty of Agriculture was further upgraded to a separate University known as the Institute (University) of Agriculture. Due to the expansion programme, the Institute was moved from Mandalay to Yezin in 1973. Master's courses were offered beginning 1978 with the introduction of a semester credit system.
The Institute of Agriculture was transferred from the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Agriculture on September 1, 1993. It was renamed as the "Yezin Agricultural University " in 1997.
Yezin Agricultural University is the only centre of higher learning in agriculture in the Union of Myanmar. The main objective of this Institute is to train students appropriately and enable them to attain high standard in agricultural science, and generate well qualified agriculturists for the country.
ADMISSION TO THE INSTITUTE
The students who apply for the undergraduate degree programme, require to meet the following criteria.
(a) A pass in Basic High School Final Examination
(b) Myanmar citizenship
(c) A satisfactory academic record
(d) A satisfactory character record
(e) Health Certificate(Grade A)
The Selection Committee, Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education carries out the selection of students for the Universities, Institutes and colleges in the country.
Student Enrolment
The annual intake for first year students is about 300. Those who obtain the Diploma in Agriculture (top5%) from State Agricultural Institute can join the YAU for B.Agr.Sc. degree if they pass the Entrance Examination. But only 30 seats are available for these diplomates.
ORGANIZATION
Academic Departments
The University is composed of nine major departments, namely Agronomy Department, Agricultural Botany Dept., Agricultural Chemistry Dept., Entomology Dept., Horticulture Dept., Agri. Economics Dept., Animal Science Dept., and Agri. Engineering Dept., these major departments are supported by two language departments of Myanmar and English and two basic science departments of Physics and Mathematics. The basic courses of Zoology, botany and Chemistry are offered by the Entomology, Agri. Botany, and agri. Chemistry Departments respectively.
Strength of Staff
Administrative Organization
The supervision of the YAU, its policies and affairs, is carried out by the Administrative and Academic Body of the Institute. All actions of these bodies are subjected to the approval of Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Central Academic Council and the Central Administrative of the Universities and Colleges of the whole country. The Institutional affairs are administered by the Rector and Pro-rector with the assistance of Academic Body and Administrative Body of the Institute with the 661 professionals and other staffs.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES
Undergraduate Programme
The required period for graduation is 4 years. Courses for the first two years are designed to provide a good foundation in basic sciences and fundamental training in various aspects of agriculture.
Remaining courses are designed to offer studies in broad general agriculture maintaining a good balance between the physical, chemical, biological and social sciences in agriculture.
In the fourth year, the students are required to proceed in a selected field of interest which is known as Elective Stream System . Seven elective streams are provided such as Field Crop Production, Crop Science, Horticultural Crop Production, Soil and Water Management, Plant Protection I (Agri. Entomology) and Plant Protection II (Plant Pathology) and Agricultural Economics. Upon successful completion of the third year courses, the students are required to apply for the seat in one of these elective streams. Each students is also assigned to solve a special problem in a selected field of study.
Students who have satisfied their graduation requirements are awarded a Bachelor of Agricultural Science Degree (B.Agr.Sc.) degree.
Postgraduate Programme
(a) Master's Program
The required period for graduation of M.Agr.Sc. degree is a minimum and maximum resident of 4 to 10 semesters respectively, and normally 50 credit hours (34 credits for course work and 16 credits for thesis) may be required. A student shall be required to submit a thesis as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master's degree. Within the existing limitation of staff and other constraints, in the Master's degree, Agronomy, Agri. Botany, agri. Chemistry, entomology, Plant Pathology and Agri. Economics subjects are offered in combination with minor subjects such as Horticulture and Animal Science Husbandry.
Students who have completed the graduation requirements, are awarded a Master of Agricultural Science degree (M.Agr.Sc) degree.
Students who have completed the graduation requirements, are awarded a Master of Agricultural Science degree (M.Agr.Sc) degree.
(b) Doctoral Program
A postgraduate program to offer Ph.D. Degree was launched on 15 November, 2001. The duration for a Ph.D Program is a minimum of three and a maximum of five years. Ph.D programs are being offered in the fields of Agronomy, Agricultural Botany, Agricultural Chemistry, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Agricultural Economics.
STIPEND AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Government Stipend
The selection and award of stipends are carried out by the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education from among students who apply for them, based on the recommendation of the township State Peace and Development Council. Around 40-50 first year students are awarded 300 kyats per month till graduation. Five percent of the total first year students is awarded for free tuition till graduation.
Minister's Scholarship
The Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation awards the scholarship prize of 300 kyats per month to those students who stood position first to eight in the second year, third year, fourth year and final year classes, respectively.
Mitsubishi Scholarship
The Mitsubishi Scholarship was established in 1996, through its Branch in Yangon.. The scholarship scheme aims to support outstanding students, i,e between position one to ten , who have financial weakness to pursue their school terms. The scholarship is US$ 250 per year and required investigation as to eligibility is usually made by the MOAI senior officials. The number of students for this scholarship is limited to 10. Form the year 1998-99, a new scheme will be widely introduced for more outstanding students. Within a five year period , 60 students are to be selected through the Mitsubishi Scholarship Scanning Board to be formed with head of Mitsubishi Branch and two officials from MOAI.
Tun Foundation Bank Ltd. Scholarship
Tun Foundation Bank Ltd. began to offer scholarship to first year outstanding undergraduate students who had financial constraints to pursue their study program in 1995-96 academic year. Two first year students who met the criteria jointly set by the Tun Foundation Bank Ltd. and Yezin Agricultural University were awarded the scholarships of Kyats 2000/- per month for ten months in a year. The stipend was increased from Kyats 2000/- per month to Kyats 3000/- per month for ten months in a year (i.e. Kyats 30,000/- per annum) in the following years. The students are able to enjoy the scholarship from the first year through the final year. The students are able to enjoy the scholarship from the first year through the final year. The scholarship is immediately terminated if they fail in the examinations. From 1995-96 to 2004-2005 academic years, a total of 50 undergraduate students have been awarded Tun Foundation Bank Ltd. Scholarship.
Myanmar Awba Group Co. Ltd. Scholarship
Myanma Awba Group Co. Ltd. awarded a total of 1.256 million Kyats for the 2003-04 academic year in order to provide scholarships for the outstanding undergraduate students and the research grants for post graduate students specializing in the field of plant protection. Monthly scholarship of Ks. 7,000/- (i.e. Ks. 84,000/- per year) was offered to each of the nine undergraduate students, research grant of Ks. 60,000/- per annum was offered to each of the five M.Agr.Sc. candidate and research grant of Ks. 100,000/- per annum was offered to each of the two Ph.D candidates.
Ms. Tamae Sesada's Scholarship
Ms. Tamae Sasada from Fukuoka, Japan, offered three first year outstanding students who had financial constraints to pursue their study. The total amount is Kyats 600,000 and each student will receive Kyats 200,000 per year.
NSRF Scholarship
U Htein Lin Scholarship
Others' Private Scholarships
Basic Country Data of Myanmar
Land Area 676,577 square kilometers
Population
- Whole country 55.4 million (2005)
- Population growth 2.02 % (2005)
- Urban population 17.39 (2005)
- Population density 82 per square kilometer (2005)
GDP (2005-06)
-GDP at Constant price Myanmar kyats 4,661 billion
-GDP at Current price Myanmar kyats 12,255 billion
Social indicators
- Life Expectancy 62.0 (Male), 65.1 (Female) (2004-05)
- Under 5 mortality Rate (Urban) 70.08 (2004-05)
(per 1000 live birth) (Rural) 71.44 (2004-05)
- Adult Literacy Rate 94.5 (Male) (2004-05)
93.7 (Female) (2004-05)
- Population per physician 3030 (2004-05)
- Populaces per nurse 2953 (2004-05)
- Population/Hospital Bed 1536 (2004-05)
- Population with safe water supply (Rural) 74.4 % (2002-03)
(Urban) 92.1% (2002-03)
Structure of Production in (2005-06)
- Agriculture (including livestock, fisheries and forestry) 50.1%
- Mining 0.4%
- Manufacturing 11.4%
- Power 0.2%
- Construction 3.1%
- Transportation, Communication 8.3%
- Other services 3.4%
- Trade 23.1%
Population
- Whole country 55.4 million (2005)
- Population growth 2.02 % (2005)
- Urban population 17.39 (2005)
- Population density 82 per square kilometer (2005)
GDP (2005-06)
-GDP at Constant price Myanmar kyats 4,661 billion
-GDP at Current price Myanmar kyats 12,255 billion
Social indicators
- Life Expectancy 62.0 (Male), 65.1 (Female) (2004-05)
- Under 5 mortality Rate (Urban) 70.08 (2004-05)
(per 1000 live birth) (Rural) 71.44 (2004-05)
- Adult Literacy Rate 94.5 (Male) (2004-05)
93.7 (Female) (2004-05)
- Population per physician 3030 (2004-05)
- Populaces per nurse 2953 (2004-05)
- Population/Hospital Bed 1536 (2004-05)
- Population with safe water supply (Rural) 74.4 % (2002-03)
(Urban) 92.1% (2002-03)
Structure of Production in (2005-06)
- Agriculture (including livestock, fisheries and forestry) 50.1%
- Mining 0.4%
- Manufacturing 11.4%
- Power 0.2%
- Construction 3.1%
- Transportation, Communication 8.3%
- Other services 3.4%
- Trade 23.1%
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Thesis Proposal of Zaw Wan, Chiang Mai University
Assessment of soil erosion and land degradation in Dry Zone Areas of Central Myanmar
INTRODUCTION
Soil erosion, a natural process, is generally aggravated by human intervention, and exceeds the rate of soil regeneration. Land degradation is a serious problem in most of the upland agricultural areas of Southeast Asia. Because of land degradation, land productivity declines and the land ultimately becomes unproductive (Suwardjo and Neneng, 1994).Therefore, soil and water conservation are the principle measures that need to be undertaken to reduce the increasing pressure on scarce land resources, enhance productivity, generate employment and prevent environmental degradation (Carucci, 2001).
The assessment of soil erosion and land degradation is a wide range of field that needs long-term and multidisciplinary studies. The results of this study are expected to help analyze land-use problems, and plan and develop activities for soil-erosion control in the Dry Zone area of Central Myanmar.
RATIONALE
The tropical monsoon climate, topography, natural vegetation and human activities highly influence the soil status and agriculture of Myanmar. In central Myanmar, where wind and water erosion is very common due to its dry and windy weather condition. The dry zone of Myanmar is characterized by shallow soils, low uneven rainfall distribution, a high degree of soil erosion and annual rainfall which ranges between 500 mm to 1000 mm, and temperature rises to over 40 o C is in summer months. And due to deforestation, soil degradation is now taking place particularly in the central dry zone of the country. Productivity of agricultural land declines as a result of soil degradation (NCEA, 1997).
Such climatic conditions, together with occasional outbreaks of forest fire also enhance the desertification process of the central dry zone and now becoming a state of seriousness (Carucci, 2001). In connection with these, soil erosion and degradation in dry zone area are noted as soil problem in Myanmar. In the areas affected by these problems, the soils have low fertility and crop yields. The proper conservation and improvement of these problem soils needs an immediate action (NCEA, 1997)
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept and definitions
Soil erosion is the most widely recognized and most common form of land degradation and, therefore, a major cause of falling productivity (Stocking and Murnaghan, 2001). It is the decline of the capacity of soils to produce goods of value to humans (Miller et al., 1988) reported that in Iowa, USA, it takes approximately 30 years or more to develop 1 inch of top soil under ideal conditions where erosion is very low. This would be equal to about 165 tons per acre. Accordingly, tolerable soil losses would range from 2 to 5 tons per acre per year for different soils (Miller et al., 1988). Most agricultural practices, especially in sloping landscapes, increase the erosion potential, which is commonly called accelerated or excessive erosion. When a soil experiences accelerated erosion, removal of renewed soil properties occurs faster than renewal rates. If the soil is removed faster than soil formation, the quality of soil declines, production costs rises and at a certain stage economic crop production will no longer be feasible (Foster, 1977).
Land degradation is a process which implies a reduction of potential productivity of the land (Hill et al., 1995). Barrow (1994) pointed out that land degradation is a reduction in rank or status of the land. Blaikie and Brookfield (1987) affirmed that land is degraded when it suffers from the loss of its intrinsic qualities and capabilities. Biswas and Biswas (1974) reported that about 10% of the world’s arable land has been spoiled by human activities. The global Assessment of Soil Degradation (GLASOD) figures indicate that almost 40% of the agricultural land has been affected by human-induced soil degradation, and that more than 6% is degraded to such a degree that restoration to its original productivity is only possible through major capital investments (Oldman, 1994). Rehabilitation of the highly degrade soils to their original productivity is not possible; it is only possible on the lightly and moderately affected soils. The soil and land resources are finite. Therefore, these negative changes need to be accurately monitored and their long-term effects and ecological risks should be estimated. Through degradation is a key issue in sustainable land management, increased agricultural productivity still remains a key issue in a world with increasing population (Zoebisch and De Pauw, 2002). Therefore, increasing productivity should go together with sustainability of the land resources.
Factors affecting soil erosion
Four main factors control soil erosion, i.e., climate, soil, vegetation and topography (Schwab et al., 1993). Soil erosion is a physical process, but its underlying causes are firmly rooted in the socio-economic, political and cultural environmental in which land users operate. Therefore, the degree of soil erosion in a particular climatic zone with particular soils, land-use and socioeconomic conditions, will always results from a combination of the above factors (De Graff, 1993).
Soil erosion in Myanmar
The entire area of Myanmar Dry Zone is considered affected by various levels of soil erosion. In several townships, i.e., Kyaukpadaung, Magway, Chaung U, Thaung Tha, Nga Htoe Gyi and Ma Hlaing, land degradation and erosion rates are severe, leading to chronic food insecurity and various degrees of poverty (Carucci, 2001).
Ways are needed to address the increasing occurrence of drought as a consequence of this process, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area as well as for the country at large. Rehabilitation and reclaiming land in the Dry Zone should be viewed as a priority by all stakeholders involved in rural development (Carucci, 2001).
OBJECTIVES
1. To characterize the local farming systems in terms of productivity and conservation effectiveness.
2. To determine major socio-economic factors that limit soil erosion.
3. To conduct an assessment of soil erosion and land degradation.
USEFULNESS OF THE STUDY
Some concrete findings about soil erosion would be able to apply as an input for developing a concept for land conservation and management in Dry Zone area of the country. The findings of the study will be useful for project planning, implementation and evaluation at local and at country level. The result will be discussed among the extension staffs and farmers.
RESEARCH METHODS
Study site
Field survey will be conducted in Dry Zone area of Central Myanmar with average annual rainfall of 500 mm, including three townships; Magwe, Kyaukpadaung and Chaung U. In these three townships, biophysical and socio-economic characteristics are typical and representative for the whole area of Dry Zone.
Field survey
The field survey will be carried out to gain understanding about land management systems, land use practices and patterns, current farmers’ cultural practices in the systems, access to variation of crop yield and limiting factors of crop yield and socio-economic constraints for agricultural production in the study area.
The information on agricultural land use, cropping system and cultural practice, soil and water management, yields and constraints for production will be collected during the survey.
The formal survey with questionnaires and will be conducted to determine erosion intensity survey.
Sampling techniques
Three villages will be selected for field survey; selection will be based on biophysical factors, land-use practices and socio-economic factors. Twenty households in each village will be randomly chosen for the formal survey with questionnaires.
Data analysis
Primary data will be collected on soil analysis, household surveys, group discussion and field observations. It will be analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The secondary data on climatic conditions such as rainfall and temperature will be collected from reliable authorities and from the nearest meteorological center.
REFERENCES
Blaikie, P.M., and H. Brookfield. 1987. Land degradation and society. Methuen, London: pp. 296.
Biswas, A.K. and M.R. Biswas. 1974. Environmental Considerations for Increasing World Food Production, Nairobi: UNEP.
Barrow, C.J. 1994. Land Degradation: development and breakdown of terrestrial environments. Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 295.
Carucci, V.F.P. 2001. Guidelines on Soil and Water Conservation for the Myanmar Dry Zone. UNDP/ FAO, Yangon: Myanmar.
De Graaf, Jan. 1993. Soil conservation and Sustainable Land Use. An Economic Approach. Royal Tropical Institute, The Netherlands.
Foster, G. R. 1977. Assessing soil degradation, FAO Soils Bulletin 34, Rome: FAO.
Hill, J., S. Sommer, W. Mehl, and J. Megier. 1995. Use of earth observation satellite data for land degradation mapping and monitoring in Mediterranean ecosystems: towards a satellite observatory. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 37 (1-3): 143-158.
Miller, F.P. 1988. Soil-Land Degradation: Intervention for Sustainable Civilization. In: R. Lal ( Eds.). Soil quality and agricultural sustainability. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan: USA, pp.13-32.
NCEA (National Commission for Environmental Affairs). 1997. Myanmar agenda 21. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yangon, Myanmar.
Oldman, L. R. 1994.The Global Extent of Soil Degradation. In: Greenland, D.J. and I. Szabolcs (Eds.). Soil Resilience and Sustainable Land use, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. pp. 99-118.
Suwardjo and L. N. Neneng (Eds.). 1994. The collection and analysis of land degradation data. Report of the expert consultation of the Asia network on problem soils. 25 - 29 October, 1993. Bangkok, Thailand.
Stocking, M. and N. Murnaghan. 2001. Hand book for the Field Assessment of Land Degradation. London: Earthscan Publication, UK.
Schwab, G.O., D.D. Fangmeier, W.J. Elliot, and R.K. Frevert. 1993. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering. United States: John Willey & Sons, Inc.
Zoebisch, M. and E. De Pauw. 2002. Soil degradation and food security on a global scale. Encyclopedia of Soil Science, Marcel Dekker, New York: pp. 281-286.
INTRODUCTION
Soil erosion, a natural process, is generally aggravated by human intervention, and exceeds the rate of soil regeneration. Land degradation is a serious problem in most of the upland agricultural areas of Southeast Asia. Because of land degradation, land productivity declines and the land ultimately becomes unproductive (Suwardjo and Neneng, 1994).Therefore, soil and water conservation are the principle measures that need to be undertaken to reduce the increasing pressure on scarce land resources, enhance productivity, generate employment and prevent environmental degradation (Carucci, 2001).
The assessment of soil erosion and land degradation is a wide range of field that needs long-term and multidisciplinary studies. The results of this study are expected to help analyze land-use problems, and plan and develop activities for soil-erosion control in the Dry Zone area of Central Myanmar.
RATIONALE
The tropical monsoon climate, topography, natural vegetation and human activities highly influence the soil status and agriculture of Myanmar. In central Myanmar, where wind and water erosion is very common due to its dry and windy weather condition. The dry zone of Myanmar is characterized by shallow soils, low uneven rainfall distribution, a high degree of soil erosion and annual rainfall which ranges between 500 mm to 1000 mm, and temperature rises to over 40 o C is in summer months. And due to deforestation, soil degradation is now taking place particularly in the central dry zone of the country. Productivity of agricultural land declines as a result of soil degradation (NCEA, 1997).
Such climatic conditions, together with occasional outbreaks of forest fire also enhance the desertification process of the central dry zone and now becoming a state of seriousness (Carucci, 2001). In connection with these, soil erosion and degradation in dry zone area are noted as soil problem in Myanmar. In the areas affected by these problems, the soils have low fertility and crop yields. The proper conservation and improvement of these problem soils needs an immediate action (NCEA, 1997)
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept and definitions
Soil erosion is the most widely recognized and most common form of land degradation and, therefore, a major cause of falling productivity (Stocking and Murnaghan, 2001). It is the decline of the capacity of soils to produce goods of value to humans (Miller et al., 1988) reported that in Iowa, USA, it takes approximately 30 years or more to develop 1 inch of top soil under ideal conditions where erosion is very low. This would be equal to about 165 tons per acre. Accordingly, tolerable soil losses would range from 2 to 5 tons per acre per year for different soils (Miller et al., 1988). Most agricultural practices, especially in sloping landscapes, increase the erosion potential, which is commonly called accelerated or excessive erosion. When a soil experiences accelerated erosion, removal of renewed soil properties occurs faster than renewal rates. If the soil is removed faster than soil formation, the quality of soil declines, production costs rises and at a certain stage economic crop production will no longer be feasible (Foster, 1977).
Land degradation is a process which implies a reduction of potential productivity of the land (Hill et al., 1995). Barrow (1994) pointed out that land degradation is a reduction in rank or status of the land. Blaikie and Brookfield (1987) affirmed that land is degraded when it suffers from the loss of its intrinsic qualities and capabilities. Biswas and Biswas (1974) reported that about 10% of the world’s arable land has been spoiled by human activities. The global Assessment of Soil Degradation (GLASOD) figures indicate that almost 40% of the agricultural land has been affected by human-induced soil degradation, and that more than 6% is degraded to such a degree that restoration to its original productivity is only possible through major capital investments (Oldman, 1994). Rehabilitation of the highly degrade soils to their original productivity is not possible; it is only possible on the lightly and moderately affected soils. The soil and land resources are finite. Therefore, these negative changes need to be accurately monitored and their long-term effects and ecological risks should be estimated. Through degradation is a key issue in sustainable land management, increased agricultural productivity still remains a key issue in a world with increasing population (Zoebisch and De Pauw, 2002). Therefore, increasing productivity should go together with sustainability of the land resources.
Factors affecting soil erosion
Four main factors control soil erosion, i.e., climate, soil, vegetation and topography (Schwab et al., 1993). Soil erosion is a physical process, but its underlying causes are firmly rooted in the socio-economic, political and cultural environmental in which land users operate. Therefore, the degree of soil erosion in a particular climatic zone with particular soils, land-use and socioeconomic conditions, will always results from a combination of the above factors (De Graff, 1993).
Soil erosion in Myanmar
The entire area of Myanmar Dry Zone is considered affected by various levels of soil erosion. In several townships, i.e., Kyaukpadaung, Magway, Chaung U, Thaung Tha, Nga Htoe Gyi and Ma Hlaing, land degradation and erosion rates are severe, leading to chronic food insecurity and various degrees of poverty (Carucci, 2001).
Ways are needed to address the increasing occurrence of drought as a consequence of this process, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area as well as for the country at large. Rehabilitation and reclaiming land in the Dry Zone should be viewed as a priority by all stakeholders involved in rural development (Carucci, 2001).
OBJECTIVES
1. To characterize the local farming systems in terms of productivity and conservation effectiveness.
2. To determine major socio-economic factors that limit soil erosion.
3. To conduct an assessment of soil erosion and land degradation.
USEFULNESS OF THE STUDY
Some concrete findings about soil erosion would be able to apply as an input for developing a concept for land conservation and management in Dry Zone area of the country. The findings of the study will be useful for project planning, implementation and evaluation at local and at country level. The result will be discussed among the extension staffs and farmers.
RESEARCH METHODS
Study site
Field survey will be conducted in Dry Zone area of Central Myanmar with average annual rainfall of 500 mm, including three townships; Magwe, Kyaukpadaung and Chaung U. In these three townships, biophysical and socio-economic characteristics are typical and representative for the whole area of Dry Zone.
Field survey
The field survey will be carried out to gain understanding about land management systems, land use practices and patterns, current farmers’ cultural practices in the systems, access to variation of crop yield and limiting factors of crop yield and socio-economic constraints for agricultural production in the study area.
The information on agricultural land use, cropping system and cultural practice, soil and water management, yields and constraints for production will be collected during the survey.
The formal survey with questionnaires and will be conducted to determine erosion intensity survey.
Sampling techniques
Three villages will be selected for field survey; selection will be based on biophysical factors, land-use practices and socio-economic factors. Twenty households in each village will be randomly chosen for the formal survey with questionnaires.
Data analysis
Primary data will be collected on soil analysis, household surveys, group discussion and field observations. It will be analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The secondary data on climatic conditions such as rainfall and temperature will be collected from reliable authorities and from the nearest meteorological center.
REFERENCES
Blaikie, P.M., and H. Brookfield. 1987. Land degradation and society. Methuen, London: pp. 296.
Biswas, A.K. and M.R. Biswas. 1974. Environmental Considerations for Increasing World Food Production, Nairobi: UNEP.
Barrow, C.J. 1994. Land Degradation: development and breakdown of terrestrial environments. Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 295.
Carucci, V.F.P. 2001. Guidelines on Soil and Water Conservation for the Myanmar Dry Zone. UNDP/ FAO, Yangon: Myanmar.
De Graaf, Jan. 1993. Soil conservation and Sustainable Land Use. An Economic Approach. Royal Tropical Institute, The Netherlands.
Foster, G. R. 1977. Assessing soil degradation, FAO Soils Bulletin 34, Rome: FAO.
Hill, J., S. Sommer, W. Mehl, and J. Megier. 1995. Use of earth observation satellite data for land degradation mapping and monitoring in Mediterranean ecosystems: towards a satellite observatory. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 37 (1-3): 143-158.
Miller, F.P. 1988. Soil-Land Degradation: Intervention for Sustainable Civilization. In: R. Lal ( Eds.). Soil quality and agricultural sustainability. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan: USA, pp.13-32.
NCEA (National Commission for Environmental Affairs). 1997. Myanmar agenda 21. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yangon, Myanmar.
Oldman, L. R. 1994.The Global Extent of Soil Degradation. In: Greenland, D.J. and I. Szabolcs (Eds.). Soil Resilience and Sustainable Land use, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. pp. 99-118.
Suwardjo and L. N. Neneng (Eds.). 1994. The collection and analysis of land degradation data. Report of the expert consultation of the Asia network on problem soils. 25 - 29 October, 1993. Bangkok, Thailand.
Stocking, M. and N. Murnaghan. 2001. Hand book for the Field Assessment of Land Degradation. London: Earthscan Publication, UK.
Schwab, G.O., D.D. Fangmeier, W.J. Elliot, and R.K. Frevert. 1993. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering. United States: John Willey & Sons, Inc.
Zoebisch, M. and E. De Pauw. 2002. Soil degradation and food security on a global scale. Encyclopedia of Soil Science, Marcel Dekker, New York: pp. 281-286.
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