The agricultural sector is the backbone of Myanmar’s economy. The country’s economic development depends mainly on agricultural productivity, which sets goals for the all-round development programmes.

Agricultural goods are one of largest export commodities, and the most important sector for the country’s economy. The agriculture sector contributes to 20.1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), or about Ks11, 357.41 billion.

In Myanmar, the majority of the country’s population lives in rural areas due to the dependence on farmland and forests for their livelihoods in agriculture, which is an important growth engine of rural development.

The ASEAN Free Trade (AFTA) is a trade bloc agreement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations supporting local manufacturing in all ASEAN countries.

Myanmar has signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding to expand bilateral trade with those countries.

Myanmar has opened border trade points with neighboring countries including India, Thailand and China, and is aimed at opening more trade points to further enhance the trading with these countries.

Efforts are being made for the sustainable economic plans, which are targeted at developing a market-oriented economy in Myanmar. Plans are also underway to strengthen farming production, enhance food security, increase exports and improve the living standards of the rural population, which depend on farming as the first and key source of income. Moreover, the government is reforming the laws and policies governing the country’s agriculture sector to meet the set targets under the economic plan.