The FAO is implementing a project entitled “Sustainable Cropland and forest management in priority agro-ecosystems of Myanmar (SLM-GEF)” in coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project promotes climate smart agriculture (CSA) policies and practices at different levels in Myanmar. In the field, the project is active in five pilot Townships from three different agro-ecological zones implementing various relevant CSA initiatives mainly using Farmer Field Schools (FFS) models. In order to implement FFS effectively in a proper way, the project has made efforts to develop FFS Curricula for each of the above mentioned three agro-ecological zones with support from AVSI Foundation as a Service Provider. Accordingly, the FFS Curriculum has been developed for central dry zone agro-ecological zone to be used by FFS Facilitators, Extension Workers and FFS Committee/farmers to implement FFS on CSA techniques and practices in systematic ways. As per the initial need assessment and value chain analysis, seasonal crops of groundnut, green gram, chickpea and pigeon pea have been identified as the priority crops in central dry zone of Mandalay Region based on technical feasibility, the crops already being grown in the area and have high market demand and contribute to improved nutrition of men and women and their households, especially children, the elderly and the disabled. Therefore, the FFS module and FFS activities will cover those three prioritized crops. Similarly, the project focus in the central dry zone areas is also to promote agro-forestry practices and hence, the prioritised crops will be grown with some perennial crops such as mango, shaw-phyu (Sterculia versicolor) etc under agro-forestry concept. Saplings of multipurpose Gliricidia sepium will also be planted as windbreaks. Based on the needs and crops prioritized, prevailing cropping systems and discussion with the respective DoA Offices in Townships, there are seven major cropping systems identified for both the Townships. Therefore, the FFS implementation will cover all the seven cropping systems. The curriculum has identified several modules of FFS meetings/trainings to be held at the FFS sites for the FFS Committee members, usually in every month, in addition to a Pre-FFS Introductory Meeting held before starting the formal FFS programme. There are some technical topics identified in the curriculum to be covered in every FFS meeting/training. It is expected that the FFS curriculum will help the FFS Facilitators, Extension Workers and FFS Committee/farmers to implement FFS on CSA techniques and practices in systematic and proper ways

The FAO is implementing a project entitled “Sustainable Cropland and forest management in priority agro-ecosystems of Myanmar (SLM-GEF)” in coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project promotes climate smart agriculture (CSA) policies and practices at different levels in Myanmar. In the field, the project is active in five pilot Townships from three different agro-ecological zones implementing various relevant CSA initiatives mainly using Farmer Field Schools (FFS) models. In order to implement FFS effectively, the project has developed FFS Curricula for each of the above mentioned three agro-ecological zones with support from AVSI Foundation as a Service Provider. Similarly, the project has developed a FFS Handbook for each agro-ecological zone both in Myanmar and English version with support from AVSI Foundation as a Service Provider. This handbook is intended to help the Extension Workers, FFS Facilitators and FFS Committee/farmers to implement FFS on CSA techniques and practices in different agro-ecological zones and scaling up the learnings in similar areas of Myanmar.

Thorough reviews of Myanmar GAP guidelines 2018 and ASEAN GAP standards were conducted. Collaborative GAP situational analysis identified gaps in knowledge, access, and efficiency in inputs and service provision. Extensive secondary research, farmer discussions, and stakeholder insights provided a strong basis for sesame GAP upgrade. GAP promotion aims for systematic, field-based, impact-oriented rollout with stakeholder involvement. Capacity-building encompasses, local practitioners, lead farmer organizations, public-private partners, and value chain actors. The GAP framework includes concise key messages for agronomic success in each crop practice. Capacity-building through improved demonstrations, market linkages, and input suppliers, along with support for practitioners and extension agents, is central to successful GAP rollout. Farmer field schools, IPM training, exposure visits, and Information and communications technology (ICT) tools will further supplement GAP promotion.

The “Sustainable Cropland and Forest Management in Priority Agro-ecosystems of Myanmar” Project of FAO in Myanmar is a five-year project (2016-2021) funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and being jointly coordinated and implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation (MoALI). The project has supported establishment of a National CSA at Yezin Agriculture University in Myanmar. One of the key activities of the National CSA Center is to organize annual workshop/conference to share ideas, opportunities and challenges with regards to CSA and SLM and to discuss on the way forwards. Such workshops will focus on different themes of CSA and SLM every year. Accordingly, the first workshop was organized by the CSA Center at YAU on 14th Sep 2018 and the theme of this workshop was “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture in Myanmar”. This proceeding presents the background of the project and workshop and compiles all the papers presented during the workshop.

This publication demonstrates the benefits of neglected and underutilized species, including amaranth, sorghum and cowpea, and their potential contribution to achieving Zero Hunger in South and Southeast Asia.

This illustrated volume identifies the challenges and opportunities facing food and agriculture in the context of the 2030 Agenda, presents solutions for a more sustainable world and shows how FAO has been working in recent years to support its Member Nations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Compendium is a product of the Joint Programme on Gender Transformative Approaches for Food Security and Nutrition implemented by FAO, IFAD and WFP and funded by the European Union. The compendium of 15 good practices of gender transformative approaches (GTAs) includes the individual templates of the 15 good practices, provides a synthesis of the main features of the 15 GTAs presenting the core characteristics of 15 GTAs and describing the implementation arrangements, implementation cycle, the potential results of GTAs and their key success factors and challenges. It also includes ideas as to how GTAs could be taken to scale. The purpose of the Compendium is fourfold: (i) to take stock and draw lessons from experiences from existing practices of GTAs; (ii) to be a resource for agencies already working with GTAs to identify opportunities for strengthening their GTA work or to link up with complementary interventions; (iii) to provide guidance on how to apply GTAs in any organization or institution working for enhanced food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture; and (iv) to raise awareness of and advocate for GTAs by showcasing examples of good practices or successful approaches that contribute to positive gender-related and non-gender-related changes towards food security, improved nutrition and sustainable agriculture and rural development.