Economic Development In Myanmar

The huge majority of human activities all through history have occurred in land areas which assist agriculture, habitat and a variety of natural resources. A farm is a part of land which is for agricultural processes for the production of food and other crops. Productivity depicts different measures of production. The increase in productivity of a region’s farms can impact the chance for growth of the region.

Myanmar possesses a wide variety of land types which include Freehold land, Grant land, Farmland, Agricultural land, Permit (or) licensed land, Government leased land, Vacant/Fallow/Virgin land and Monastery/Religious land. Freeholds are not granted at the colonial time but existing freeholds are still accepted. Lands are allowed to use

Thus, it can be said that agriculture is the heart of Myanmar’s economy. Agriculture creates much income and work opportunities for this country. Rice is the most important product of Myanmar and it is exported to other Asian countries. During the years of military control, Myanmar has faced a drop in production of rice. When Myanmar was under the military government for decades, the state was the only landowner either in a direct way or through intermediary companies. Nowadays Myanmar is in the halfway of economic and social changes with remarkable aftermaths for land ownership. The 2008 constitution of Myanmar provides for private property rights, but it uphold that the state is the ultimate owner of all lands and natural resources and it can conduct extraction and use of state-owned natural resources by economic forces. In ethnic minority areas, the local government and military commanders have strong domination over land policy. For instance, the Karen National Union (KNU) has its own policy for land use and registration process, even this is not recognized by the national

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation take divided responsibilities for the land management. The former one is for lowland agricultural land and the latter is for upland forest land.

In a democratic country, political transitions and economic reform must occur simultaneously. The very first step for economic change is the land reform. Land reform is concerned with the economic infrastructure as well as politics and economics. The Vacant, Fallow and Virgin land law, foreign investment law and the Farmland law which were published by Myanmar government in 2012 increase investment in land and encourage large-scale land use.

In January 2016, Parliament approved a new National Land Use Policy (NLUP) which aims to adjust existing laws and lead advancement of a new land law. The policy substantiates unbiased land access for both smallholders and landless people, with considerateness of customary ownership and gender equality. In May 2016, the new National League for Democracy (NLD) government formed a Central Review Committee on Confiscated Farmlands and other lands with an aim to address the complex legacy of land confiscation and