Inspiring NL alumni stories from Myanmar

Agriculture for Zero Hunger and Poverty Reduction,

an Alumnus Story of Vo Vo Htwe

Dr. Vo Vo Htwe is now an active veterinary and officer at the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation Republic of Myanmar. Vo Vo was one of the alumni of the Netherland Short Course-Program. He took the special program on Food Security and Food Safety at Wageningen University and Research (WUR) in 2017.

Studying in the Netherlands have however been impacting much for Vo Vo’s life, both in academic and professional career as he mentioned “I got tons of networks from all over the world, different thinking, and different perspectives”. For Vo vo, there is no such word as ‘enough’ for learning because “learning is a never-ending (process)”. He even expects and plan to study further in the Netherlands. Dr. Vo vo gives message to young generations in the whole world to do so, to learn more and more and share the knowledge and experience to greater public. Vo Vo also notes that the young should have known what to do and as they are the future’s hope, and lastly, he encourages us all “Please start drawing the life of your river”.

Meet with Miss Myat Nandar Aung.

She has recently graduated from Yezin Agricultural University (YAU).
She is now working in Greenovator as a Project assistant.
Let’s observe her sharing experience and impression of Youth in the Agribusiness sector in Myanmar.

Can you share some of your experiences during the internship program?

During the internship program, I had learned a lot from "Greenovator Co., Ltd" which is the mother company of "Greenway Agri/livestock Mobile App". The internship program is about 6 months. And now I am currently working there as "Project Assistant". As an intern I have to take responsibility for the "Farmer Care team, Content team and Project team" . In each team, I had learned about how farmers are facing their field problems and how important it is for them to get the information.

I have more realized about farmers who are facing challenges in many ways in their livelihoods. Although farmers have some awareness on food safety, they still don’t follow the proper handling method when using agrochemicals. In some areas, farmers have difficulties in adopting the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, limited knowledge on water resource management, and no full awareness on post harvest management practices which can affect on the crop’s quality.

Farmers are not much familiar with the digital tools in farming. They know a little more than before, but it is still far away to get full efficiency from the usage of these digital tools. This also highlights the importance of youth involvement in the agriculture sector. Moreover, it is found that the farm households are facing some microfinance issues although they are easy to access. It might be better for farmers if the payback time is after the crop season when they get the money. Another thing is about farm machinery, eg. harvester. It will be good if farmers can assess the farm machinery, as they can use it in their own farm and also can hire neighboring farmers with service fees.

There are also good things which were experienced during the internship program.

Farmers are becoming used to applying the green manures in their farming. Dr. Aung Kyaw Myint, Professor and Principle, Kyaukse Campus, YAU, shared the knowledge on how to make and use green manure, and their benefits, to farmers. Farmers adopted the idea and followed it by growing sun hemp (peik-san-shaw). Not only the neighbour farmers, but also the farmers from Pakuku, Kyaukse, and even Shwebo, now are following to grow and use green manure in their farming. Another thing is the awareness on crop rotation and fallowing. In Shwebo, rice farmers are now stopping the continuous rice cultivation. In addition, they are fond of making and using the biofertilizers (Fish Amino acid), Bokashi etc, and biopesticides (neem products), etc. They even realize and share that they need to take care of their cultivated soil for future generations and conserve nature.

How do you feel about youth in the Agribusiness sector?

A significant change can never be given in a short time. We need to change ourselves through the generations. Nowadays, there are many opportunities for youth to get technical knowledge, apart from YAU or SAI. Many agriculture vocational training and short training courses were given to youth. However, there is also a need for collaboration among the organizations or actors who are working for youth development. After that, I believe there will be a significant change in the youth in the agribusiness sector.

Do you have any suggestions for farmers?

In my opinion, farmer associations are really needed and it can give more benefits to farmers. (Eg. Magwe sesame farmer association, etc.) Being an association, farmers can get more benefit for their products, easy access to technical services, market information, etc. Another thing is that, for smallholder farmers, it will be better if they make agriculture and livestock business together (integrated farming) like rice & fish farming, fish & poultry farming, rice & dairy farming, etc. The byproducts from these farming will be the animal feed and the animal dung will be the fertilizer for farming. There will be a circular effect and will get more benefits to people, earth and profit.

How about your dream and future plan?

My dream is that I would like to become one of the experts in the rural development sector. In order to share more awareness on food safety to the farmers, I will try to get an MSc degree in food safety. If I have a chance, I will also try for a PhD degree. I would like to be a part of these sectors by providing more awareness on food safety and zero hunger in the developing countries.

Your quote for youth in the agribusiness sector?

“Agriculture is also a business, believe that”