Lobbying for Pulses sector value chain development in Myanmar

In 2014, the Government of Myanmar adopted the National Export Strategy (NES) prioritizing 7 industrial sectors to realize vast opportunities for vibrant growth. Among them, the pulses sector stands as one of the most promising commodity to expand for obvious reasons: it is the only sector that has achieved persistent high growth since it has been liberalized in early 1990s while Myanmar has a string comparative advantage of suitable agro-climatic conditions and low cost of production. Pulse exports rely heavily upon black gram and green gram and are destined largely for neighboring markets. Despite the healthy growth experienced globally by the sector over recent years, Myanmar's exports of pulses have slowed down, particularly due to inability to further penetrate the growing Indian market for pulses, in conjunction with its loss of market share in China. Agreements on a possible trade agreement put forth by the Indian Government, under the leadership of its Prime Minister, reached a stalemate with the Myanmar Government.

Failing to leverage such advantages and the inability to exploit recurring opportunities represents a major setback to the economy. Poor export competitiveness of pulses can undermine the country's staple rice production because the profits from pulses sustains small-holder farmers (especially female farmers) to continue growing rice as a requirement imposed by the government. Women and other ethnic groups also play a very important role in the pulses sector despite their needs and requirements not being taken into active consideration. This validates the urgent requirement to involve female population in strategic decision making during policy-formulation process as well as carry out lobby and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of the current situation as well as necessary rights/opportunities that can be accessed by all small-holder farmers and other key stakeholders. Although we do not yet know of the additional challenges faced specifically by marginalized groups (i.e., women, youth, and people with disabilities) in the sector, we plan to uncover these challenges over the coming months by discussing with various women organizations, youth groups, and disabled persons organizations.

Also due to the rural nature of the sector, sector expansion would stimulate better employment opportunities for large swathes of the rural population (which are primarily female-oriented), providing much-needed income that could be used to meet basic needs and invest in capacity upgrading as well as securing nutritional capacities for children and the whole family.