Institutional analysis of extension services and capacity development in the agricultural sector of Myanmar | |
| Author | Nay Lynn Soe |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-15-07 |
| Subject(s) | Agricultural development projects--Myanmar Agricultural extension work--Myanmar |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resources Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-15-07 |
| Abstract | The research related with institutional analysis of extension services and capacity development in agriculture sector of Myanmar. The research objectives were to map out the extension services in Myanmar. (Who are the actors and what are they doing related with extension services and what is their role and responsibilities), to compare the agricultural extension services which are provided among government, private and INGO institutions and to analysis the strength and weakness of institutions, to study the potential for greater collaboration and coordination among extension services in local level to achieve integration. In concern with the study, purposive sampling was used for this research. The selection of the study area were Naypyitaw, Yangon, Hlegu Townships of Myanmar because the headquarter offices ( Agricultural Extension Division under Department of Agriculture, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department and Department of Fishery under Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development , Central Agricultural Research And Training Centre, Golden Key Agrochemical Company and GRET, INGO) are located in there. For the case study, Maubin Township was selected to analyse the role and responsibilities of local institutions, how local institutions, DOA, DOF,LBVD, IRRI and pesticide sellers were doing coordination and coordination each other. Among the villages in Maubin, one village was purposively selected to collect data. The key informants from different institutions, farmers who received the technical assistance and material supports from the selected village for focus group discussion was purposively selected to conduct interview in Maubin Township. Based on the key findings, although AED is the largest institution among the other division of DOA, most of the agricultural extension plans are top-down approach and there is missing any reflection of farmer’s needs and production issues in the different agro ecological zones. Moreover, AED have linkages in some extent with INGO and UN agencies to operate in development projects through out of Myanmar but there has very rare linkages with private sector to work for agricultural extension activities. AED can establish the proper organizational structure and role and responsibilities are more prominent than other institutions. But in term of the incentives for extension staff, lack of transportation are very rare than the private sector and INGO. There is a lack of suitable and market prices for the target agricultural planning and it is still need for developing agricultural policies and supporting strategies which promote effective and suitable extension support. In addition, there is no written agricultural extension policy. Therefore, to practice the effective integrated extension approach, the government should set up the concrete extension policy by involving the different stakeholders. According to the findings from a case study, these township level institutions are working in the same township for agricultural activities; each institution has its own way. There is lack of coordination and collaboration for extension services and as a results, there were overlapped at the same village. Some of the recommendations are needed to improve for institutions which provided the agricultural extension services. Extension program planning, implementation evaluation and decision making processes should be bottom up approach. The government should support adequate budget allocation for extension activities and provide facilities and mobility for extension workers. Collaboration and coordination among institutions both at national and township level should be conducted to escape the overlapping services to deliver the effective extension activities. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-15-07 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Grunbuhel, Clemens; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Soparth Pongquan;Soni, Peeyush; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway;Strengthening Institutional Capacity, Extension Services and Rural Livelihoods in the Central Dry Zone and Ayeyarwaddy Delta Regions of Myanmar Project; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015 |