GRO-Myanmar (Generating Rubber Opportunities in Myanmar)

The four southern townships of Mon State and adjacent areas are dominated by cultivation of rubber by smallholders who own on average roughly ten acres of land. This model is in contrast to other areas of Myanmar and the Mekong Region which are dominated by industrial-scale plantations, with variable impact on rural populations. However, due to unclear land tenure, lack of inputs, and poor market incentive, productivity is very low and processed products of poor quality. The market framework requires structural changes (e.g. inputs, standards, processed products, marketing) for increased competitiveness.

The overall goal of the project is to improve livelihoods and social capital of poor women and men in the rubber market sector.

This goal contributes to achieving inclusive and sustainable development for poverty reduction and peace, which is part of the aim of the Swiss Cooperation Strategy Myanmar 2013-2017.

The project targets all actors in the rubber market, including: smallholder rubber farmers (holding from 2-20 acres but mostly from 5-10), tapper employees (internal and regional migrants), tapper contractors, small processers, regional and local processing factory groups, village collectors, township traders, exporters, and government and private service providers in the four southernmost townships of Mon State. This includes areas administered by or under the influence of the New Mon State Party. The specific target for this phase is 12,000 women and men smallholder rubber farmers, and 36,000 women and men tappers.

Expansion is planned to adjacent areas of Tanintharyi Region and Kayin State in the next phase, including areas administered by or under the influence of the Karen National Union and other groups.

Outcome 1: At least 12,000 women and men smallholder farmers (WMSHFs) who own or manage plantations of up to 20 acres in government and non-state areas have an improved income by 10%; and 36,000 women and men tappers (WMT) who work for them have a strengthened livelihoods base.

Outcome 2: Women and men smallholder rubber farmers in state and non-state/ethnic armed group areas have more secure access to and control over land.

Risultati principali attesi:  

• Women and men smallholder farmers (WMSHFs), women and men tappers (WMTs), and rubber factories in both government and ethnic armed group areas have strengthened cultivation and production of rubber.
• WMSHFs, WMTs and other market actors have access to information that allows for profitable business decisions, including market information and results of research.
• Traded rubber is weighed and graded according to a transparent international quality framework.
• WMSHFs, WMTs and other market actors are increasingly aware of and engaged in providing decent work opportunities, transforming inequitable gender relations and addressing gender-based violence.
• WMSHFs have the knowledge, skills and confidence to claim their rights in relation to land.
• Land conflicts, land registration and land tenure insecurity issues are being resolved in state and non-state areas through open and transparent dialogue.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

Key results include diagnostic studies of the rubber market, of local livelihoods, land tenure, conflict, women’s role in the market and risks of gender-based violence. Pilot trainings on land rights were conducted, and assessments of key stakeholders applied a “will-skill” framework.

Key insights include:

• The degraded rubber market sector sets current incentives for low quality product; thus the project will prioritize quality
• A breakdown in trust between market actors creates imperative to build social capital
• Women’s participation in most aspects of the sector is widespread, yet their decision-making powers and market access are constrained
• Enhanced connections between market players may contribute to forging links between government and non-state actor administered areas that help consolidate peace

In Mon State the Rubber Planters and Producers Association; government agencies include the Dept. of Industrial Crops Development, the Settlement and Land Records Division, and the Applied Research Center for Perennial Crops

The Agence Française de Développement is expected to enhance access to credit; The Land Core Group supports land outcomes through local civil society; Coordination with the International Trade Center on the rubber export strategy.

Fase 1 01.05.2014 - 31.12.2017   (Completed)