A participatory-based methodology for the selection of sustainable land and water management practices in rural Myanmar

Besides providing water for irrigation, rural development efforts in Myanmar should target rural water security in terms of safe water supply and sanitation, and of mitigation of water-related hazards. However, very few studies are currently available on the topic, and consequently on suitable practical solutions for water-related development. This work presents a participatory methodology undertaken involving 45 rural development officers of the Department of Rural Development (DRD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI), aimed at identifying suitable sustainable land and water management (SLWM) practices to be developed in rural areas of the country. Adoption of water safety plans (WSP), water harvesting, and soil and water bioengineering were identified as key SLWM practices, while the need for improving water sanitation, especially in the marginal areas of the country, was made evident. Insights of the participatory process confirmed that the poorest regions of Myanmar have also the worst water management structures. The results of the present work can represent a baseline information and a needs assessment for future rural development projects in the country. In any case, there is still a strong need of more studies and reports targeting marginalized rural contexts of Myanmar, to support equitable development. The present abstract is based on: Castelli, G., Oo, W. M., Maggio, A. di, Fellin, L., Re, V., & Bresci, E. (2020). Participatory analysis of sustainable land and water management practices for integrated rural development in Myanmar. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development.