Generating Rubber Opportunities project (GRO)
The production of natural rubber is a key livelihood activity of farmers in Mon and Kayin State and northern Tanintharyi region. CARE International is mandated to implement a Market Systems Development project to work with all market actors and particularly the support institutions (meso level) for improving information, market access and access to inputs for 25,000 farmers as well as improving working conditions of particularly women in rubber plantations.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Myanmar |
Employment & economic development Agriculture & food security nothemedefined
Business support & economic inclusion
Agricultural services & market Agricultural co-operatives & farmers’ organisations |
01.01.2018
- 31.12.2023 |
CHF 7’203’500
|
- Women and men small-holder farmers and tappers improve their rubber business productivity and quality of produce through better access to technology, information and services.
- Women and men small-holder farmers have improved land tenure security and decision-making power to leverage land as a business asset.
- Rubber input and service providers have strengthened knowledge and capacity and provide better inputs and business services.
- Market actors improve their understanding and take action, recognising the social and business case for gender-responsive practices/business models and improved working conditions.
- Village heads, government and EAOs are implementing land information systems so that women and men small-holder farmers are aware of their land rights and the pathways to obtain land documentation from appropriate authorities.
- The first Myanmar Rubber Law was developed to define quality standards and export regulations. GRO was a key player in the law’s development in facilitating a broad public consultation and providing expertise.
- Through Rubber Seller-Buyer meetings with the participation of the Mon Chief Minister, direct links were established between producers, small and big buyers.
- 8,986 smallholder rubber farmers (3,145 women) received trainings in gender, land law awareness, tapping skills, rubber processing, and better linkages with processing factories.
- Rubber farmers depend a lot on the international price for rubber for their income, that is why diversified production systems will be promoted in phase 2.
- Care International
- Swiss Private Sector
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation BUSINESS & OTHER SERVICES
AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Business support services and institutions
Agricultural services
Agricultural co-operatives
Cross-cutting topics Conflict reduction
Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project number 7F08844
Background | 80% of Myanmar’s rubber is produced in Mon and Kayin State and Tanintharyi Region. The vast majority of rubber trees in the South-East of Myanmar are planted by women and men farmers with up to 20 acres (8 hectares) of rubber trees. They produce rubber of low quality and productivity is below potential. |
Objectives |
The overall goal is to work towards a market system that is more resilient, competitive, environmentally sensitive and inclusive and where rubber businesses are able to use their land as a business asset. This leads to the project’s impact objective of enhanced well-being of women and men smallholder rubber farmers and tappers. |
Target groups |
Final beneficiaries: Women and men smallholder rubber producers and tappers Direct beneficiaries: Besides the final beneficiaries also a broad variety of market actors, including government departments, industry associations, Civil Society and Community Based Organisations and private sector players |
Medium-term outcomes |
|
Results |
Expected results: Results from previous phases: |
Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
Credit area |
Development cooperation |
Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO Private sector Other partners CIRAD for technical backstopping on rubber production |
Coordination with other projects and actors | Strengthening land governance project (OneMap Myanmar, Land Core Group), LIFT, WWF, other actors in market system development in Myanmar that participate in the learning and exchange meetings organised by GRO |
Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 7’203’500 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 6’819’546 |
Project phases |
Phase 2 01.01.2018 - 31.12.2023 (Completed) Phase 1 01.05.2014 - 31.12.2017 (Completed) |