Myanmar and Good Agriculture Practices.

          Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) is a set of principles and guidelines, developed by various organizations and it is aimed at improving the sustainability, efficiency, and safety of agricultural production. GAP covers various facets of agricultural practices, including soil and water management, crop and animal management, food safety, environmental protection, and social responsibility.

          Myanmar is an agrarian country, with around 70% of the population engaged in farming. However, farmers in Myanmar face have to deal with low productivity, poor quality, and environmental degradation. To overcome these challenges, GAP can be implemented in Myanmar Farms as they can greatly improve the lives of farmers.

          Firstly, GAP emphasizes soil and water management. Farmers need to understand the importance of conserving soil and water resources. Soil conservation practices, such as minimum tillage, crop residue management, and the use of cover crops, can help reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility. Water-saving techniques, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, can also help conserve water resources and increase water-use efficiency. These water saving techniques can be particularly effect in dry and arid zones of Mandalay and Sagaing.

          Secondly, GAP focuses on crop and animal management. Farmers can improve crop yields and quality through practices such as crop rotation, pest management, and fertilization. Animal welfare is also essential in GAP. Proper care and management of livestock, including feeding, housing, and veterinary care, are necessary for their health and well-being.

          Another aspect that GAP highlights is food safety and hygiene. Proper handling, storage, and transportation of food can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure the safety and quality of agricultural products. Farmers can adopt hygienic and safe practices in handling, storing and transporting their products. For example, over-use of pesticides and over fumigation with substances such as Aluminium Phosphide, Methyl Bromide can have harmful effect on health of consumers.

          Environmental Protection is another aspect of GAP. Farmers can reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, conserving biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This can be achieved through the use of natural pest control measures, crop rotation, and reducing water wastage. There are many farmers in Myanmar who face soil erosion due to improper agriculture practices. This resulted in barren farmlands and caused enormous economic impacts for them.

          Finally, GAP promotes social responsibility. There should be adoption of fair labor practices, such as providing safe working conditions, minimum wages, and social benefits to all those in Agriculture industry. This can also help promote social sustainability and increase the welfare of farmers and their families. Because some farmers in Myanmar face unfavorable conditions, they have ended up as migrant workers in neighbouring countries, leading to shortage of skilled farmers in the country. Adopting socially responsible practices can prevent these and lead to grass root development in Myanmar’s society.

          The implementation of Good Agricultural Practice in Myanmar Farms can drastically improve the lives of the farmers and the economy of the nation. To implement GAP in Myanmar, farmers need to be educated and trained on the importance of sustainable agriculture, and supportive policies need to be in place. By implementing GAP, Myanmar can achieve higher crop yields, better quality, and sustainable agriculture while contributing to environmental protection and social sustainability.