From tradition to innovation: U Kyi’s farming success

U Kyi, a dedicated farmer from Shar Pin village, Chauk Township, has spent his life cultivating groundnut, sesame, and pigeon peas on his 10-acre plot of land. Chauk, known as the hottest township in Myanmar and situated in the Central Dry Zone, receives less than 40 inches of rainfall annually, often as little as 20 inches. The unpredictable rainfall due to climate change makes farming particularly challenging in the region,

“We depend solely on rainwater for our crops, with no other sources of irrigation,” says U Kyi. “We believe that good weather leads to good crops, while bad weather results in poor yields. Despite our traditional knowledge and techniques passed down through generations, crop yields have been decreasing each year. We all dream of better yields, higher incomes, and improved lives.”

When the CREATE Project Field Team from World Vision International Myanmar visited the village to select key farmers for a trial groundnut plot, U Kyi, encouraged by his fellow farmers, volunteered for the role. “With close supervision, coaching, and frequent visits from the CREATE staff, I successfully completed one crop season,” he shares.

From the trial plot experience, U Kyi learned valuable lessons: how to calculate plant nutrient needs based on expected yield and soil fertility, the importance of proper plant spacing for optimal yield, the benefits of using certified seeds that are high-yielding and resistant to drought, pests, and diseases, how to prevent and control pests and diseases, and the correct application of fertilizers – the right product, amount, place, and time.

U Kyi proudly shares, “I received weather-resistant seeds and learned about weed control and innovative farming practices from the CREATE Project. I heard that my yield was the highest among all the groundnut trial plots. Maybe I was just lucky that it rained a bit more in our village compared to others. But I believe the training and resources made a significant difference."

With the knowledge and innovative farming practices, his groundnut plants thrived. On harvest day, the field was filled with plants bearing large, fully-filled pods. “After calibration, I was shocked to see that the yield was 117 baskets per acre – a yield I had never achieved before. It was amazing!” he happily mentions.

He also had the opportunity to attend promotion events organised by Golden Lion Company and Greenish Sagaing Region Company with the support of the Market System Development initiative of the CREATE Project. There, he discovered the importance of using quality inputs correctly for better crop yields. “From the pamphlets they shared, I received information on improved practices and how to contact them for their services.”

“Elderly farmers like me have never had such opportunities before. The government and private sectors often neglect the basic needs of farmers. In a country where 70 percent of the population depends on agriculture, rural farmers need to learn about agricultural technology, products, and practices. It's important to have access to services like loans,” U Kyi points out. Loan service to provide

U Kyi shared his thoughts, saying, "The new farming methods and being part of an inclusive market supply chain can help us improve our crops, access markets, and ultimately better the lives of rural farming families like mine."

World Vision’s CREATE Project in Myanmar is dedicated to fostering inclusive economic empowerment and improving the nutrition of smallholder producers across three Townships in the Magway region of Myanmar’s Dry Zone. Spanning from July 2021 to June 2026, the project targets 4,595 farming households and indirectly supports an additional 6,000 casual labourer households.

The CREATE Project is being implemented in Chauk, Yaenanchaung, and Seik Phyu, with a focus on innovative agricultural practices, developing market systems for farmers, and promoting Gender Equality, Equity, and Disability Social Inclusion (GEDSI). It also aims to enhance the nutrition of vulnerable households in these areas.

During the 2023-2024 period, the project engaged 3,969 participants, positively impacting a total of 12,598 individuals. Of these, 44% were women, 20% were children, and 0.25% were persons with disabilities.