AJAD Volume 19 Issue No. 1 June 2022

Given the aggravating nature of climate change impacts, rice farming will increasingly rely on improved resilience to climate variability and extremes. To this end, the climate-smart village (CSV) approach was developed to address specific challenges of smallholder farmers. Within Southeast Asia, the CSV approach has so far been applied in Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia, as well as in Vietnam and the Philippines where national programs have taken it up and established multiple CSVs. Despite distinct climatic conditions, all these CSVs have rice-based landscapes as a common denominator. This article focuses on the improvement of rice seed systems as the core of introducing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in these villages. The experience of a CSV in Lao PDR clearly shows community-based seed (CBS) systems as a viable CSV component. Moreover, the efficiency of CBS systems is enhanced when applied in combination with the following supporting climate-smart interventions: (1) training in improved crop and pest management through farmers’ field schools, (2) awareness raising through photo exhibits and seed fairs, (3) participatory variety selection, and (4) climate risk mapping as a means for targeted distribution of improved rice varieties. The study also explored direct market access for CSV products by advertising both the generic aspects of climate-smart adaptation strategies and the location-specific stories of smallholder farmers. To this end, the emerging online retail economy could offer viable avenues for highlighting specific aspects of food production in CSVs to different groups of consumers (e.g., the “buy local” preference in the domestic market and climate change concerns in the international market).

This paper explores potential pathways for promoting and scaling up the uptake of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Myanmar, using qualitative methods. Key informant interviews with stakeholders from government, research institutes, international and local development agencies, and the private sector identified technology development as an important investment and action area. A desk review of policy documents revealed that considerations on climate change adaptation in agriculture are embedded in Myanmar’s international commitments and national plans, including policies on making the agriculture sector resilient. Moreover, climate change resilience has been framed as a key component of the country’s sustainable development plans. This means the basic framework for advocating and promoting CSA is already in place. However, policies on land, water, environment, seed, and fertilizer and pesticide management are poorly enforced. In addition, the extension system has an inadequate coverage and reach of the remote communities. In the current political context of Myanmar, the process of policymaking has changed. Thus, the impetus for shaping an enabling environment for scaling up CSA will likely shift toward more active citizen engagement via local nongovernment organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and independent academic institutions. There are opportunities for policy integration to effectively scale up CSA, but much remains to be done. Donors of Myanmar have a special opportunity to support the integration of CSA into their respective country program strategies. Likewise, local and international NGOs may take this opportunity to mainstream CSA into various conventional development programs, such as livelihood development, women’s empowerment, and food security and nutrition. On the other hand, academic institutions can pursue research opportunities to support the development of CSA technologies and approaches and to generate evidence for input to capacity development, advocacy, and policymaking.

Cultivating stress-tolerant rice varieties (STRVs) is widely cited as a strategy of rice farmers to cope with climate-induced stresses. In India, dissemination of STRVs started in 2008 through international development initiatives, but only 5 percent of farmers have adopted it after seven years. Using a double-hurdle model, this study estimated the factors influencing simultaneous decisions on land selection and allocation for cultivating STRVs. It developed a framework for assessing the risks faced by farm households due to adverse climatic conditions vis-à-vis the decision to adopt STRVs. Results show that perceived and actual experiences of climate stress are important parameters influencing the decision to adopt STRVs. Farmers who have adopted such varieties are more likely to cultivate them on only a small portion of their land. These farmers are risk takers and very patient. The study recommends the use of a targeted approach to scale up the adoption of STRVs. Farmers affected by climate stresses should be identified and educated about the benefits of STRVs through demonstration. In addition, the accessibility of the seeds must be ensured.

This paper analyzes Nepal’s current livestock policy, which is rooted in culture and religion, and the extent to which its design has not kept pace with the continuing transformation of the country’s agricultural landscape. It estimates the impact of the no-slaughtering of cattle policy on dairy producers using Latin hypercube simulations to quantify a baseline and alternative scenario for cattle milk production. The baseline models the current production system, while the alternative scenario models milk production where producers are allowed to slaughter or export cattle. Results indicate that farmers’ profit per liter of milk increases by 19 to 31 percent in the alternative scenario.

Microfinance programs play a vital role in poverty alleviation in developing countries; however, most microfinance institutions (MFIs) face the challenge of maintaining financial sustainability. While several studies have investigated factors affecting MFI financial sustainability, only a few focus on MFIs in Thailand. This paper uses the random effect model to study the determinants of Thai MFIs’ financial sustainability. Results show that sustainability is affected by the efficiency of Thai MFI staff members in managing borrowers and the MFIs’ ability to use their short-term assets to generate cash or revenue. Moreover, Thai MFIs do not benefit from economies of scale and do not reach the very poor households. This study recommends that MFIs should ensure that their social and financial goals are adequately balanced. It proposes that MFIs use a mixed approach: follow profit maximization principles and embrace technology to minimize operational costs.