Some aspects of the cattle economy of Burma : 1948 to 1984

Abstract

Agriculture is still the main stay of the Burmese economy and the livestock sub-sector is an integral part of the agricultural sector. Use of draught cattle , which is the main source of power , is significantly related to the intensity of cultivation. Livestock are maintained by small farmers as part of mixed farming , in this way these two sectors are complementary and inter-dependent. The main objective of this study is to examine the aspects of the cattle economy of Burma since independence and the consequences of State policy in this field. Much has been done in the agricultural sector since independence, especially beginning from the early 1960s and effects have started to become noticeable since the late 1970s. The livestock sector is targeted to increase at an average annual growth rate of 5.34 percent in net value of output (at constant 1969-70 prices) during the Twenty - Year Plan (1974-75 to 1993-94). However, actual growth rate during the first decade (1974 - 75 to 1983 - 84 ) was 4.49 percent , less than the desired rate . Growth of agriculture has been substantial and growth in numbes of draught cattle though higher in recent decades than in the past is still not sufficient , because of the dispersion of land among the peasants. During the past decade, as the rate of expansion draught cattle was faster than that of total sown area, average sown area per yoke has been declining. Percapita consumption of meat is fairly low and percapita consumption of milk is very low, in fact lowest in the Asian region. To improve the situation, the State has been encouraging individuals and organizations to take up and or improve animal rearing for milk production. A milk processing plant is being established with Australian aid. Recent policy initiatives (since the late 1970s) and establishment of a separate Ministry of Livestock Breeding and Fisheries (in 1983) including initiatives like livestock insurance and loan schemes, the milk processing plant and improved breeding programmes should help to improve performance of the sector. Due to constraints of data availability this study has been restricted to an overall view of the sector°s performance . Periodic indepth studies of the sector (with appropriate data base) will help in identification of bottlenecks and formulation of appropriate corrective policy