Description:
ABSTRACT:
The paper proceeds from the widely held assessment that "Myanmar?s economy is handicapped
by structural imbalance, instability, inefficient and imperfect markets, and distorted prices. The paper
delineates how this general state of affairs is clearly evident in the agricultural sector. It then identifies
the constraints retarding the development of agricultural growth. Among the factors blamed for blunting
the sector?s competitiveness are policies on: land, production, procurement and price, foreign exchange,
and subsidy. The excessive controls inherent in these policies, coupled with their erratic implementation,
are seen to create a general atmosphere of uncertainty and unpredictability in the economy and an
erosion of the government?s credibility.
Based on the negative impact of the existing policies and on the need to strengthen the
competitiveness of the agricultural sector and thus help it contribute to the sustainable development of
the country?s economy, the paper recommends alternative policy options. Foremost among these
alternatives suggested are the contracting out of land use rights; the shift of focus towards maximizing
farmers? incomes and profits, rather than merely output; the liberalization of trade; unification of the
exchange rates; reduction of subsidy to, or privatization of state-operated enterprises (SOEs), and
allowing the entry of private enterprises to compete freely with SOEs."
Source/publisher:
Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development. Vol. 1, No. 2
Date of Publication:
2004-12-00
Date of entry:
2006-07-03
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Language:
English