Sustainable Livelihoods

Today, Rakhine State is the second to last region in Myanmar in terms of development and prosperity. In the struggle to make an adequate living, many turn to exploiting natural resources. Improving local livelihoods means that fewer will resort to illegal fishing methods, poaching, deforestation, and unsustainable farming methods.

In addition to improving the livelihoods of farmer and fishermen through our agricultural, community forestry and fisheries projects; we try to make sure our projects, particularly vulnerable groups like the landless poor and women, benefit as well.

Through the CLEARR Project we have set up community-managed tree nurseries. These provide fruit trees to local gardeners improving their access to food and giving them a small source of additional income. The nurseries also provide teak, ironwood, and mahogany for local use, preventing the cutting of forests.

Many of our projects, for example constructing the community tree nurseries, or re-planting mangrove seedlings, create jobs for many in our communities, helping especially those who are dependent on seasonal agricultural work.

As well, through the CLEARR Project and supported by OIKOS, we have helped collectives of poor women set up or expand their small businesses, for example cutting and drying coconuts to export to Yangon, breeding animals, and establishing small retail businesses.

Meet Lay Zin

Lay Zin was born and raised in Palinmaw Village, where he grows bananas and coconuts to support his wife and two children. He is a member of his Village Conservation Committee, and has both helped implement RCA projects and benefitted from them.

Because of previous experiences with the military government, in Palinmaw some people were initially wary of the RCA and the projects it proposed. Today, the RCA has 35 members in the village, and Lay Zin says that the benefits of conservation and sustainable development work have become obvious to all.

A community managed tree-nursery that he helped establish now provides teak and mahogany wood for local use and extra income – saving forest areas. Village farmers have increased their rice yields by 50% thanks to education and new sustainable farming technologies. Others like Lay Zin have been given livestock as an additional income source. This year he was able to sell four pigs from the one he received – earning him the equivalent of 2-3 months extra income.

Life remains difficult, but the CLEARR Project has brought new small freedoms and opportunities to villagers. Previously, education ended at age ten for most Palinmaw children as the local school only goes up to grade five. Now Lay Zin and other village parents, can afford to send their children to school in Kyeintali to continue their education. Others are able to buy mobile phones or motorcycles to make life and work easier.

Now Palinmaw is facing new challenges. Some of the farmland behind the village has been destroyed due to saline ocean water intruding into groundwater supplies. Lay Zin hopes that the recovery of the mangrove community forest will improve that situation and that new conservation and sustainable livelihood projects will bring prosperity to Palimaw.