Myanmar – The agriculture sector is the backbone of the Myanmar economy which contributes 37.8% of GDP and employs 70% of the labor force (FAO). Agriculture productivity is affected by many factors, one of them is the participation of the young generation.
Than Shwe, co-founder of Rakhawanna Yuwa Association and program officer of NEED Myanmar realizes that an ageing farmer is one of the crucial issues in agriculture. Therefore, he is committed to being an agricultural development worker to give contribution back to society by empowering youth to be agripreneurs. “I believe youth capacity building plays an important role in future sustainability in agriculture,” he says.
Hence, Shwe and his organization, NEED, conduct a training program such as MY LEAD Program (Motivated Youth Leader for Economic and Agriculture Development) and YFP (Young Farmer Program) to empower the youth to be actively involved in the agriculture sector and to initiate organic farming. Every year, they train 30-35 young people with ages ranging between 18-25 years old from all over the country to join a 6-month intensive program in Hmaw Bi, Yangon Region, Myanmar. Shwe and his team also do advocacy and community outreach program in rural areas.
Together with NEED, I am promoting and practising permaculture to small scale farmers. The permaculture farming system may help the farmers to increase income generation,” he says. He also shared about his plan and passion for promoting ethical products and strengthening resilience for food security in the community.
“The future of mother earth lies on the youth. We are the agent of change to exemplify modern-friendly and sustainable farming,” Shwe says tells other ASEAN youth.
ASEAN integration and single market on one side will seamlessly connect the ASEAN community. However, the agricultural development level in each ASEAN country is different. Most ASEAN countries are depending on the agriculture sector for their livelihood, and the majority are small scale, poor farmers. This shall encourage young farmers cross border to help each other and building equal developing path for every country with fair share. Improving the life of poor farmers will strengthen the ASEAN connection as “One Vision, One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
“We have many potentials to develop our agriculture sectors based on environmentally, economically and socially sustainable practice approaches. With strong networking and collaboration, I hope the ASEAN agriculture sector will be advanced in the near future,” Shwe says.
This story is part of the Young Agripreneur Story Series by the ASEAN Foundation.
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