RRA report on Nam Mae Hkok Watershed, Eastern Shan State Myanmar - Watershed Profile

1. Page 1 of 15
Regional Environmental Technical Assistance 5771
Poverty Reduction & Environmental Management in Remote Greater
Mekong Subregion Watersheds Project (Phase I)
RRA report on Nam Mae Hkok Watershed,
Eastern Shan State Myanmar
Watershed Profile
By
U Sit Bo
U Zaw Win
CONTENTS
1.
Introduction
2.
Mekong Watershed Situation in Myanmar
3.
Proposed Watershed Area for Myanmar
2
4.
RRA Tool
2
5.
General Overview of the Nam Mae Hkok Watershed Area
2
5.1
Biophysical information
2
5.1.1 Land use
2
5.1.2 Climate
2
5.1.3 Geology and soil
3
5.1.4 Water Resources
3
5.1.5 Forest Resources
3
5.1.6 Wild Life
3
5.1.7 Infrastructure
3
Socio Economic Information
3
5.2.1 Population Structure
3
5.2.2 Livelihoods
4
5.2.3. Per Capita Available Land Resource
4
5.2.4 Labour and Gender
4
6.
Upland Town Profile
5
6.1
Location and Infrastructure
5
6.2
Population
6
5.2

2. Page 2 of 15
6.3
Main Economic Sectors
6.4
6
Role of Public Sector and Local Government in Promoting
Enterprise
6
6.5
Development of Industries Service Centres
6
6.6
Participation of People
6
6.6.1 Present Employment in Industries of Services Sectors
6
7.
Method of Data Collection
Village Check List
1.
Introduction
2.
Village Check List
2.1
Seik Khaung Village
2.2
Pu Mo Village
2.3
Brief on Checklist for household interviews
Appendix
1.
Upland town (Mongsat ) population & health profile
2.
Check list for household interview (lowland fanner, male, married)
3.
Cheek list for household interview (lowland farmer, female, married)
4.
Check list for household interview (lowland fanner, male, single)
5.
Check list for household interview (lowland fanner, female, single)
6.
Check list for household interview (upland farmer, male, married)
7.
Check list for household interview (upland fanner, female, married)
8.
Check list for household interview(upland fanner, male, single)
9.
Check list for household interview(upland farmer, female, single)
10.
Photos
11.
Maps
1. Introduction
Under the Regional Environmental Technical Assistance (RETA) Programme, funded by Asian Development
Bank, the first phase of Poverty Reduction and Environmental Management in Remote Greater Mekong Subregion(GMS) Watershed Project is launched to carry out a feasibility study for the development of the
watershed areas. The preliminary studies are made in all the countries of the GMS, covering such subjects as
Natural Resources Policy, Wood Trade, GIS and Land use, Protected Areas Management, Community
forestry, Upland agriculture, Rural Infrastructure, Human Resources and Rural Development.
Myanmar's involvement in the GMS amounts only to 2% of the total regional area. Six sub-watersheds are
identified in this area of which the following three are shortlisted for final selection as project area for the
coming phase II. They are:
a. Nan Loi
b. Nan Mae Ilkok and

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c. Nan Mae Khan
In the mid-term review meeting held at Vientiane in February 1999, Nan Mae Hkok was tentatively selected as
potential second phase project intervention area as the river passes through Myanmar and Thailand, and thus
giving the possibility of regional cooperation between the two countries.
Although time available for the study precludes field visits, it is considered that whatever information available
of the common topics concerning environment, land use and community development would be of some value
to the phase I study. The phase 1 project duration is from June 1998 to June 1999.
2. Mekong Watershed Situation in Myanmar
Most of Eastern Shan State falls in the Mekong Watershed area. The following table summarises the area of
Mekong Sub-watershed falling in various townships.
Sr.
Area of Sub-watershed Sq. Miles
No.
Township
Mekong
Drainage
1
Kengtung
45.79
2
Mong Hpyak
89.03 49.66
3
Mong Yowmg
4
Mong Hsat
5
Mong Hkok
6
Mong Yung
7
Tachi lake
329.91
7.13 617.63
Total
927.22
1312.61 937.04
597.31
-
Nam Mac
Hkok
Nam Mac
Hok
-
Nam Loi
Nam
Yawng
260.04
1404.89
-
479.79
-
Nam Lin
27.51
59.29
705.28
732.35
508.80
1838.46
-
-
1170.66 269.75
-
-
-
-
-
-
590.43
-
-
-
838.46
273.35
1013.18
-
Total
1710.72
1440.41
590.43
-
838.46
65.19
3593.64
1293.21
633.28
8416.97
3. Proposed Watershed Area for Myanmar
The phase II project cannot cope with all Sub-watersheds of Mekong falling in all participating countries. The
mid-term review meeting held in Vientiane in February 1999 has tentatively selected Nam Mae Hkok subwatershed as future intervention area for the phase II project. This sub- watershed covers part of Myanmar and
Thailand, thus facilitating regional cooperation between Myanmar and Thailand. Nam Mae Hkok river
originates in Kentung District, flows southwards though Mong-hsat District, crosses Myanmar-Thailand border
and thence through Chiang Rai District and Joins the Mekong river.
4. RRA Tool
The guidelines for this Rapid Rural Appraisal(RRA.) was formulated by Science, Technology and Environment
Organization (STENO) of Vientiane, Lao PDR and sent to Myanmar by fax in February 1999. The actual work
can only be started after the visit of the team leader to Myanmar on 20th march 1999. After some lengthy
enquiries to the local Forest Department staff at Mong-hsat, the actual field work was carried out in April 1999.
5. General Overview of the Nam Mae Hkok watershed Area
5.1 Biophysical information

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5.1.1 Land use
Land use system of Nam Mae Hkok watershed area can be summarized as follows.
Sr. No.
Land use class
Area Acres
1
Lowland rice cultivation
6421
2
Terrace Farming
474
3
Upland rice
4155
4
Home Gardens, Orchards
882
5
Shifting Cultivation
7320
6
Deciduous forest
2278
7
Evergreen forest
645497
8
Scrub land
173230
Total
840077 Acres
5.1.2 Climate
Since there was no meteorological station on Mong Hsat District, no recorded data for the past years were
available. The nearest estimate made from available data from Kengtung and Mong Phyat Districts indicates
an annual precipitation of about 63 inches and temperatures ranging from 12' C to 35' C.
5.1.3 Geology and Soil
Mainly limestone, latterite and in some places metamorphic rocks occur over the District. Majority of soils found
are mountain red brown soils, Brown Forest soils on hilly areas and yellow alluvial soils on flat plains.
5.1.4 Water Resources
Nam Moe Hkok is a perennial river although some of its tributaries are seasonal. Small river craft are used to
travel to villages along the Nam Moe Hkok river throughout the whole year.
5.1.5 Forest Resources
Although forest cover is quite good with evergreen and deciduous forests, the economic value of the forest is
quite low due to the effect of shifting cultivation and occurrence of lesser used timber species in small sizes.
Bamboos are quite abundant. Occurrence of tree species are limited to Dipterocarpus Spp, Anogeissus
acuminata, Salmalia malabarica, Homalium tomentosum, Dalbergia Spp. etc.
An area of 118 sq.miles (75528 Acres) is proposed as Nam Hkok Reserved forest at the head waters of the
river. Another 10.755sq. miles of forest is set aside to form a protected unclassed forest to preserve forest
around Mae Pan Hydro Power Station.
5.1.6 Wild life
Except for Sambhur, large game are quite scarce. Wild boar, barking deer, bear, wild dogs and monkeys can
still be found in many areas. Quite a number of wild fowl, parrots, doves, partridge, quail etc. are found in the
area.
5.1.7 Infrastructure
An all weather road connects Monghsat with Taunggyi through Mong Ton & Loilem. There are also fair weather
roads from Monghsat to Tachilek and also Mong Hsat to Keng Tung through Mong Pyin. Myanmar Airways
operates twice a week flights to Monghsat.

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As for communications, postal service, telegraph and Radio-telephone services are available.
5.2 Socio Economic Information
5.2.1 Population Structure
Actual population of Nam Moe Hkok watershed cannot be obtained due to shortage of time. The closest
representation can be that of Monghsat Township profile which is attached as appendix (1).
Since the Nam Moe Hkok watershed area is about 75% of the total township area including the Urban areas,
population is estimated as follows:
(a)
Population
56777
Urban (all)
14858
Rural (0.75%)
41919
male : female ratio
91:100
labour availability
15-49 yr. group (0.75%)
21300
(b)
Population Density
14.30/ Sq - Km
(c)
Population growth rate
0.43%
(d)
Maternal Mortality rate
1.53/ 1000 live births.
(e)
Leading cause of death
Malaria
5.2.2 Livelihoods
Agriculture is the main occupation of the rural population. Available statistics indicates over 11000 acres of
permanent agriculture in the watershed area. Land use information from 1989-90 landsat TM imagerry is given
in (5.1.1). It was revealed that over 700 sq. miles of closed and degraded forests were affected by shifting
cultivation. The availability of swidden land is determined by the traditional rights of the residing ethnic groups,
which are mainly Shan, Wa, Ahkhar and Larhu tribes.
5.2.3 Per Capita Available Land Resource
For Nan Mae Hkok watershed, per capita available land resources is estimated as follows:
Forest land Closed &
degraded
Forest affected by shifting
cultivation
other land
6.78 acres
7.85 Acres
0.16 Acres
5.2.4 Labour and Gender
Estimated strength of available labour (people of working age 14-49 years) in the watershed area is about
21300 of which male to female ratio stands at 91.100. Since school attendance in quite low, some of the 5 yr. 14 yr. age group would also join in the working group. (See appendix 1)
6. Upland Town Profile
6.1 Location and Infrastructure

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Name
Monghsat
District
Monghsat
State
Eastern Shan State
Monghsat township is located between Latitude 20, 4' to 20* 55 'N and Longitude 98 ' 32' to 99 ' 42' E.
Adjoining townships are Mongpyin and Kengtun in the north, Monghpyat and Tachilake in the east, Thailand in
the south and Mongton and Salween river in the west. The Urban area of Monghsat lies between Hona Village
tract in the north,
Seikkhaung village tract in the east, Mae Nim village tract in the south and Kya de village tract in the west.
Monghsat is linked to Taunggyi, Capital of Shan State via an all weather road through Loilem and Mongton.
Two fair weather roads are linked to Kyaington and Tachilik. Monghsat has an airport, served twice weekly by
Myanmar Airways. Other communications available are postal service, telegraph and radio telephone services.
Being a township as well as District headquarters, the following Government Department are represented.
1. District Peace and Development Council
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Township Peace and Development Council
Myanmar Agriculture Service
Irrigation Department
Department of Livestock Breeding and Fisheries
Department of Land Records
Forest Department
Department of Health
Department of Education
Immigration
Police
Customs
Audit
Construction
Electric Power Corporation
Myanmar Economic Bank
Department of Cooperatives
Post and Telecom
Judiciary and Law Office
Myanmar Airways
Jail Department
6.2 Population
The population of Monghsat township by Gender breakdown is as follow:
Urban 14858 + Rural 55892
= 70750
Male 33822 + Female 36928
= 70750
Ethnic group
Larhu
40%
Shan
35 %
Ah Khar
10%
Other
Ratio 9 1: 100
15%
6.3 Main Economic Sectors
Agriculture both permanent and swidden is the main occupation of the rural population and is only at

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subsistence level. Deficit food stuff is imported from lowland States and utility goods and cosmetics are
imported from Thailand. No major trading is noted in the township.
6.4 Role of Public Sector and Local Government in Promoting Enterprise
A visible public sector involvement in promoting enterprise is the allocation of 8000 acres of land to Wa'
National Group for establishment of Litchi (Litchi chinensis) plantation. In 1998-99, 2500 acres has been
planted. It will take about three years to complete planting.
The Government is encouraging private investors to promote agricultural production by leasing out land in
many parts of the country.
6.5 Development of Industries Service Centres
No significant developments noted.
6.6 Participation of People
6.6.1 Present Employment in Industries or Service Sectors
6.6.2 Engagement in Business Activities
6.6.3 Engagement in Trade between Upper Catchment Areas and Upland Town
People from Upper Catchment Areas brought their agricultural produce to the Upland Town for sale and buy
back essential food stuff like salt, rice and preserved fish etc. The volume of trade is not large to be called
commercial trading. The system of trade even resembles barter system.
6.6.4 Representation among Staff of Relevant Government Agencies
All the Government agencies and departments are represented in the upland town to the appropriate level.
Monghsat begin a District as well as Township Headquarters, all township level Government agencies and
many of the essential Government Departments of District level, such as District Peace and Development
Council, District Police Station, District Education, Health, Agriculture, Forest, Land Records etc. are
represented.
6.6.5 Government Measures in Support of Upland Population/Ethnic minorities
The Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races is responsible for the rehabilitation of ethnic
tribes and is carrying out many development activities concerning Health, Education, Food Security and
Infrastructure development.
7. Method of Data Collection
Socio-economic and Biophysical data are obtained from Government Department from Monghsat and
Taunggyi, Forest Department and Ministry of Health.
Field studies can only be made for one upland village and one lowland village. Household Inter-view Checklist
is made as follows.

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Sr.No
Village
Occupation
Sex
Marital Status
1.
Upland
Farmer
Farmer
Male
Female
Married 1 + Single 1
Married 1 + Single 1
2.
Lowland
Farmer
Farmer
Male
Female
Married 1 + Single 1
Married 1 + Single 1
All together (8) farmers are interviewed.
Village Check List
1. Introduction
In the Eastern Shan State, out of many ethnic tribes, Shans prefer to live in lowland areas and permanently.
They cultivate lowland rice and vegetables on the fields which are rain fed or irrigated. If they have to live in
higher ground, they practice terrace farming, whether rain fed or irrigated.
Larhu and Ahkhar tribes prefer higher elevation and usually live in villages located on ridge tops. Larhus can
sometimes cultivate lowland rice in the plains but they live only at the ridge-top villages.
The Ahkhar people ^are more like nomads, never living in the same place very long. They practice shifting
cultivation (Swidden Agriculture) and move to another places when the food production is insufficient due to
depletion of soil fertility. These people never built their houses permanently. It was learnt that these people
move to new places about every 15 years.
2. Village Check List
2.1 Seik Khaung Village
2.1.1 Location
State
Eastern Shan
District
Monghast
Township
Monghast
Seik Khaung village is located at a distance of 3 km in the North-East of Monghsat on the bank of Nam Mae
Hkok river. The Monghsat-Tachilek Motor road passes through this village. The area is relatively plain around
the village. (Photo 2 & 3)
2.1.2 History of the Village
The village elders estimate that Seik Khaung village was established around 1890. The village was originated
by one farmer and his family settling on the flood plain beside Nam Mae Hkok river. As time goes by, it grew in
to a village. There was no record of any natural disasters except that of some loss of farm land around 1950
when infiltrated Kuomington Chinese troops constructed an airfield near Monghsat.
2.1.3 Village Population
There are (162) household with a total population of 829 people of which (300) are male and (520) are female.
All are Shans and Buddhism is their religion. There are some migrations in and out of the village, mostly out of
the village as some people cross the border to work in Thailand. The small number of male population
indicates this trend.

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2.1.4 Resource Base
(a) Paddy Land
There are 470 acres of paddy land. Lowland rice is grown on all of those areas in the rainy season. Vegetable
are grown after paddy.
Breakdown of Agricultural land use is as follows:
1. Rain fed paddy land
100 Acres
2. Irrigation paddy land
370 Acres
3. Summer irrigated paddy
20 Acres
Rice production for the past 10 years average about 45 baskets (958 Kgs). The present yield is about 35
baskets (745 Kgs).
Ownership of paddy land ranges from 1-5 Acres per households. Only some can produce enough to support
their families. Most other households get only enough for 6-10 months of the year. Fertilizers are used in rice
cultivation with summer paddy. The rest of the fields are used to grow vegetables. Mostly Cabbages are grown
which are not only sold in Monghsat (K 30/- each) but sent to Thailand also at much higher price (B 15/- each
_= K 120/-). The income from cabbage can be K 10000/- to 50000/- per household. This income is used to buy
rice in case of deficit.
Some families also work as traders dealing food stuff and utility goods.
(b) Natural Forest
Although natural forests coverage is good around the village in the past 30 years, the coverage is now
decreased due to excessive cutting of small timber and fuelwood. The forest around the village are now in the
secondary growth stage with bamboos. Some of the degraded forest are also leased to 'Wa' national to
cultivate Litchi. At present, the Forest Department can only encourage to the local People to establish
community forest under which the local people can have right of use of the forest resources for at least 30
years.
(c) Plantations
To ease of fuel shortage problem, the Forest Department has plans to establish 150 acres of fuelwood
plantation in 2000-2001.
(d) Slash and Burn (Swidden) Agriculture
Not practiced by the villagers.
(e) Water Supply
Wells are dug to get drinking water. The Mae Pan stream is perennial and the water is used for irrigation of
fields by means of a weir.
(f) Availability of Fish
Fish used to be abundant in Nam Mae Hkok and its tributaries. The use of illegal fishing practice, such as mine
blasting and electrocuting has reduced the fish population. Now-a-days the people of Seik Khaung cannot get
enough fish from the streams. But fish is still available at Monghsat Market.
(g) Live Stock
Seik Khaung village has the following livestock.
1. Buffaloes
102
Nos

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2. Bullocks & Cows
23
Nos
3. Pig
215
Nos
4. Chicken
340
Nos
Buffaloes and Bullocks are used as draft animals mostly for ploughing the fields and for cart haulage.
Foot and mouth disease is encountered in some years. The Government provides vaccination and treatment
through township Veterinary Assistant.
2.1.5 Health Service
The village has a Rural Health Centre staffed by one Health Assistant and two Nurses. Main cause of illness is
malaria. Severe cases are referred to Township Hospital in Monghsat.
2.1.6 Education
The village has one Primary School staffed by (3) teachers. School attendance is 120 students. Being
Buddhists, the village monk also helps in teaching.
2.1.7 Veterinary Service
There is no separate veterinary assistant allocated to the village. The staff from Monghast veterinary office visit
the village at times of need to give preventive vaccination to the animals. The most common disease is foot
and mouth disease of cattle.
2.1.8 Agricultural Extension
One village tract manager takes care of agricultural extension works for the whole village tract. They distribute
fertilizers and technology.
2.1.9 Agricultural Credit
Government operated farm credits are not available as yet. Farmers have to depend on rich people.
2.1.10 Availability of Electricity
Electricity is available only from 6.00 PM to 9.00 PM from Diesel Generator of Monghsat town. A Hydro-power
station is under construction on Mae Pan stream, 15 KM from Seik Khaung village. It is estimated to be
finished in 2002. The power available will be 240 KWH and by then village can have more electricity.
2.1.11 Livelihood Strategies
(a) Occupation
The main occupation of all households is agriculture. Some of the families also open shops selling utility goods
and food stuff imported from Thailand and Mainland Myanmar. The distribution of work among gender is such
that men work as farmers and women work as traders and shopkeepers.
(b) Labor Pattern
Hired labor (men and women), communal work force helping each other etc. are the common practices.
(c) Use and Control of Resource and Benefits
Farming households are led by the father, where as farming and trading combined households share
responsibility such that father is in charge of farming and mother takes care of household work and trading.
(d) Income and Expenditure Pattern

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Families who practice trading, farming and shop keeping are well -to-do people having incomes in the range of
300,000 to 500,000 Kyats.
Farming households can have incomes ranging from Kyats 60,000/- to 80,000/-. This income structure is much
higher than upland village.
The first group of families can live quite reasonably well of with some savings but the second group could only
meet subsistence requirements. There are also people of lesser incomes. The standards of living also differ
among the groups, the first group having the best houses, furniture and utilities, the second group having only
timber or bamboo houses with meager utilities.
But, one striking thing about the villagers is that, being Buddhists, they have equally strong piety towards
religion, only differing in the quantity in donations but not in the quality.
2.1.12 Development Priorities
The following development areas are noted.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Health facilities to combat malaria
More arable land through bench terracing
Improved agriculture practices
Quality seeds
More pasture land
Income generation through livestock
Agro-forestry practices
Community forestry
2.2 Pu Mo Village
2.2.1 Location
State
East Shan
District
Monghsat
Township
Monghsat
Pu Mu village is situated 12 Km east of Monghsat on a ridge forming the watershed of Mae Sa long stream,
which is a tributary of Nan Mae Hkok. This village is 2 Km off the Monghsat-Tachilake fair-weather motor road.
This road is the main trade route between Monghsat and Thailand through Tachilake.
The nearest market place Pu Mo villagers can go is Mongsat.
2.2.2 History of the Village
The village was formed 15 years ago. The old village is said to be located 5 Km further north. The people of
this village, being Ahkar tribe, live on shifting cultivation and they never live in the same place longer than 1520 Years. They built their houses on the exposed ridge tops. The Ahkhar people believe that low lying swampy
areas are unhealthy. Since this village is established quite recently, there is no report of any natural calamities.
(Photo 6)
2.2.3 Village Population
There are only (15) household and 76 people of which (46) are male and (30) are female, all of Ahkhar tribe.
This village has a male to female ratio of 46:30, very much different from the situation of other villages.
2.2.4 Resource Base
(a) Paddy Land

12. Page 12 of 15
There are about 50 acres of rain fed upland paddy land with ownership ranging from 1-4 acres per household.
Paddy yield is around 25 baskets per acre ( 532 Kg/acre) . The same area is cultivated for about 2 to 3 years.
After that they move to another place and make a new cut again. Chili and vegetables are grown on the
boundary fences with a specially planted cucumber plant in the middle of the cultivated area. The Ahkhar
people like chilies and sometimes chilly and salt are the main dish for their meals.
(b) Natural Forest
There used to be quite a good coverage of natural forests in the area in the past 30-40 years. At the present
time there is left only of phon-so (secondary growth) and dominated by bamboos. Tree species that come up
after shifting cultivation comprised of fast growing, soft wooded species such as Yemane (Gmilina arborea)
Thitsein (Terminalia belerica), Sit (Albizzia procera), Bomeza (Albizzia chinensis). In some places secondary
forest of
*30 to 40 years can be seen. The only places where original virgin forest
ages 30 to 40 years can be found is near water holes and natural springs. Generally therefore the condition of
the forest can be observed in (3) different stages:
i. The virgin forests near springs
ii. Old secondary growth
iii. Tertiary regrowth derived from cutting of the secondary growth.
Although a lot of vegetative cover is present on the area, providing good soil cover, there is not much economic
value in the forest except from the watershed management point of view. No forest conservation programmes
exist near the village.
(c) Plantations
No forest plantation have been established in this area. The villagers have requested to the Forest Department
to allocate funds for establishing fuelwood and watershed plantations in coming years.
(d) Slash and Burn (Swidden) Agriculture
The whole agriculture system is based on Slash and Burn cultivation. All the areas around the village are
affected.
(e) Water Supply
A pipe line system is constructed to carry water from a spring 1 Km from the village to the centre of the village.
Fetching water from this source to their homes is the duty of all family members including children and elderly
people. Dried Gourd is used as water container (see photo number 7)
Agriculture is totally rain fed. No Irrigation practiced.
(f) Availability of Fish
Fishing in the streams 3 to 5 Km away from village may produce some fish but fish is quite scarce. There is no
fish breeding program.
(g) Live Stock
The present status of livestock is as follows.
1. Buffaloes
10
Nos
2. Bullocks/Cows
7
Nos
3. Pigs
100
Nos
4. Chicken
200
Nos

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Some occurrence of foot and mouth disease is noted. No serious problem encountered with pigs and chicken.
Occasional vaccination is received. Pigs are sold out to buy rice and salt and for own consumption.
2.2.5 Health Service
The village has no health care facility. Local medicine is used for minor cases. More serious cases have to go
to Monghsat township hospital about 12 Km from the village. Malaria is the most Common disease.
2.2.6 Education
The Ministry of Education has allotted a primary school for the village. Since the school attendance is
negligible, primary school can not be opened in the village. Most of the people are Christians.
2.2.7 Veterinary Service
No separate veterinary service allotted for the village. The township veterinary Assistant will visit the village
when necessary to give vaccination.
2.2.8 Agricultural Extension
Non existant.
2.2.9 Agricultural Credit
Not available.
2.2.10 Availability of Electricity
None.
2.2.11 Livelihood Strategies
(a) Occupation
All the people of the village are engaged to household and agriculture activities. The children has to fetch water
while the elder people collect firewood. The men folk cut forests for shifting agriculture while women plant
crops, tend and harvest the crops. In the leisure time men go out hunting and fishing. Some people go to other
places to work as labourers after the cultivation is done.
(b) Labor Pattern
No hired labour is used in agriculture. Only communal labour pools are formed to help one another in times of
need.
(c) Use and Control of Resource and Benefits
Agriculture is family occupation and therefore all members are responsible to help in all stages. Trading of
livestock is taken up by men but the proceeds are used for the family affairs. Most of the people are at
subsistence level.
(d) Income and Expenditure Pattern
There is not much difference in status among the villagers. Income levels range from K60,000/(well-to-do),
K40,000/-(Mediocre) to K24,000/-(poor). Most of the families does not go very far beyond subsistence level.
Those who can manage to save some extra money will spend for new clothes. The main item these people like
to save is salt and rice. The status of a villager can be differentiated by the number of silver coins attached to
their dresses.
2.2.12 Development Priorities

14. Page 14 of 15
The following areas need development.
a. To convert distructive elements of Swidden agriculture to constructive forest plantation establishment.
b. Health Care, more preventive measures, more health information.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Livestock breeding
Pasture and feed staff development
New technologies in agriculture
Improved seed for higher production
g. Educational Programmes to discourage Swidden agriculture and to move towards more permanent type
of agriculture through incentives and education.
h. Infrastructure development.
2.3 Brief on Checklist for household interviews
The survey team interviewed 8 farmers from two villages. 4 farmers live lowland village and 4 farmers live
upland village. They are as follow.
-Sr.
Name
Sex
Village
Remark
1
Daw Nan Lat
Female
Seikkhaung
Married
2
Sai Zaw Win
Male
Seikkhaung
Married
3
U Nan Di Yi
Male
Seikkhaung
Single
4
Nam Wine
Female
Seikkhaung
Single
5
Ahar Mu
Male
Pumo
Married
6
Pu Cho
Female
Pumo
Married
7
Ahar Phyit
Male
Pumo
Single
8
May Nyee
Female
Pumo
Single
General Information
Household interview paper of 8 farmers are attached in Appendix (2-9). The following are General information
of those paper.
1. Health
Malaria is common problem of lowland & upland area.
2. Housing
Low Land area houses are constructed with hardwood Timber and some houses used cement for wall and
floor.
Upland villagers construct their houses using timber for posts, bamboo for wall and floor and Thatch for roofing.
3. Live stock
Livestock raised by lowland farmers are mainly buffaloes and cattle.
Pig farming is the main livestock activities of up land farmers.
4. Household landuse

15. Page 15 of 15
Lowland farmer own 1-5 areas of paddy land and upland farmer own average 1 acre paddy land.
5. Food situation
Most of farmers who cultivate lowland areas get enough for their consumption but all farmers from upland
areas do not get enough for their consumption.
6. Cash crop situation
Lowland farmers cultivate cabbage in dry season and upland farmers plant chili & vegetable along paddy field
boundary.
7. Forest resource
Both of two village face with fuelwood shortage due to forest degradation.
8. Change of Crop Production
Production of Swidden land paddy yield are decreasing year by year.
9. Development priorities suggestion of all farmer from upland and lowland are as follow:
To create sustained income.
To provide pasture development.
To conserve natural forest.
To plant fuelwood plantation.
To get more agriculture land.