Biomimetic Modeling of the Active Site of Soluble Methane Monooxygenase Hydroxylase (sMMOH)

Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) belongs to a family of metalloproteins called bacterial multicomponent monooxygenases (BMMs), which contain carboxylate-bridged non-heme diiron cores. These sMMO enzymes are of high interest because they utilize readily available molecular oxygen in their energy conversion of methane to methanol in the metabolic system of methanotrophic bacteria. Methane is abundant in natural gas, and if it can be converted to methanol, a liquid form, under mild conditions as in the enzyme, transportation of this energy source to remote areas will be safer and more convenient. Our research group has a long-term interest in developing small molecule synthetic analogs that can mimic both the structure and function of the active site of the hydroxylase component of sMMO (sMMOH). Unfortunately, no ligand system designed to date has been able to achieve this goal. In our further attempt, synthesis of a triptycene-based bis(benzimidazole) diester ligand L3 is discussed in this paper along with its coordination with iron(II) salt and an external carboxylate. Characterization of the diiron(II) complexes was achieved using UV-vis spectrophometric titrations, X-ray diffraction studies, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. Preliminary oxygenation studies of the diiron(II) complexes with molecular oxygen is also included

Training on Establishing Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) in Myanmar to Improve Food Security and Resilience in Agriculture

This training on establish Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) in Myanmar was a collaborative effort of the Food Security Working Group (FSWG) and the Myanmar Program of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction. This was supported in part by donors of the FSWG and the International Development Research Center-Canada through the 3-year action research project of IIRR-Myanmar in 4 CSVs. The overall goal of this training was to increase the understanding of the concepts, processes and tools in implementing of CSVs as an approach to build climate resilience among small-holder farmers, achieve nutrition security and gender equality in Myanmar. It was aimed for local NGOs and members of the Food Security Working Group (FSWG), Myanmar’s largest alliance of development organizations advocating for food security and sustainable livelihoods in Myanmar. This training was part of IIRR-Myanmar’s out-scaling pathway by engaging and building capacities of local civil societies to replicate the CSV approach as platforms to promote climate smart agriculture in Myanmar

Emerging portfolio of climate smart agriculture options in Masein Village : Bogale Township, Pyapon District, Irrawaddy Division, Delta, Myanmar

Like most villages in the Delta region, Masein experiences sea level rise, annual flooding, rainfall and temperature increases. Higher water levels as a result of sea level rise are the major concern for the community in Masein: the risk of flooding of rice lands and the challenge/of rice-drying at harvest-time. Climate smart agricultural adaptations include: school gardens/aquaculture; intensification of livestock production; pork production with introduction of local fodder crops (Trichanthera); duck rearing for egg production; home garden/aquaculture; fruit tree (banana and apple) gardening

Emerging portfolio of climate smart agriculture options in Sakta Village : Hakha Township, Hakha District Chin State, Hilly Region (1500 m above sea Level), Myanmar

Sakta village is located in the Hakha Township, Chin State, which is one of the least developed areas of Myanmar with the highest poverty rate of all regions. Unprecedented extreme rainfalls have caused serious landslides. Most of the agricultural lands in Sakta village are rainfed uplands where communities still practice shifting cultivation. Climate Smart Agriculture options are very locally specific and the options vary depending on agro-ecological zones and local culture. Some Indigenous practices which communities are using traditionally are already climate smart and just need to be refined or enriched

Emerging portfolio of climate smart agriculture options in Htee Pu Village : Nyaung U Township, Nyaung DistrictMandalay Division, Central Dry Zones, Myanmar

Although agriculture is the major subsistence livelihood, the harshness of climate conditions including low and unpredictable annual rainfall are most serious limiting factors for HteePuvillage. Nyaung U has the lowest annual rainfall among dry zones of Myanmar. Diversification and intensification are key elements in the climate smart agriculture (CSA) strategy. Many households have been introduced to three types of pulses (Lab Lab, Lima bean, and cowpea) which have local market potential. Future work will include enrichment planning of community forests with multiple use tree and grass species to serve as “banks” in case of long droughts

Socio-technical methodologies in establishing climate smart villages in Myanmar as platform to promote climate smart agriculture

The paper provides some results of a three-year Climate smart villages (CSV) project in four ecological zones of Myanmar, involving four project villages. The agro-ecological context is primary, as effects of climate change are location specific. Community-based and needs driven approaches which feature increased levels of community participation and engagement are needed for scalable models. Climate smart villages (CSVs) are on-site, on-location platforms where discovery, learning and sharing happens. Designed to be low cost, they typically feature local teams and institutions in order to enhance their role as “lighthouses” to support wider uptake

Regenerating drylands in response to a changing climate

With support from IDRC and CCAFS Southeast Asia, IIRR and its local NGO partners is implementing Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) to demonstrate community-based adaptation in agriculture in different agroecological zones in Myanmar. This primer is based on IIRR baseline studies as well as desk research that IIRR commissioned to develop the profile of Nyaung Oo CSV. The purpose of this primer is to provide the reader background information as to the agriculture, livelihoods, nutrition, gender and climate change context of the CSV

Nurturing resilience in smallholder farming systems: Emerging insights from a Climate-Smart Village in Southern Shan State, Myanmar

The brief talks about the emerging insights from a Climate-Smart Village in Southern Shan State, Myanmar. It documents a range of coping strategies that help farmers deal with impacts of climate change

Restoring drylands, strengthening resilience: Insights from a Climate-Smart Village in Htee Pu, Nyaun Oo, Myanmar

The brief talks about the emerging insights from a Climate-Smart Village in Htee Pu, Nyaun Oo, Myanmar. It documents a range of strategies that help farming communities in the central dry zones of the country to cope with lower rainfall and other climate change impacts