[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1131, 207], "category": "Text", "text": "men smallholder farmers face challenges in timing agricultural activities due to changing climate patterns. Additionally, low rainfall makes it difficult for those dependent on rainwater."}, {"bbox": [97, 231, 1133, 471], "category": "Text", "text": "The lack of access to electricity, irregular climate patterns, poor market information flow, limited financial resources and liquidity constraints constitute other challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Myanmar's conflict pattern has significantly changed following the military takeover. On top of long lasting conflict in ethnic areas, the fighting escalated also in areas as Sagaing and Magwe, which are important land-producing areas, disrupting farming activities. The most heavily conflict affected states and region (Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Magway and Sagaing) were already the least developed, prior to the military takeover. Farmer IDPs are unable to return home to their land because of safety concerns, and some properties and assets, including seeds necessary for next cropping season, have been destroyed. These disruptions will certainly have impact on the agricultural production in longer term²⁵."}, {"bbox": [97, 497, 1133, 578], "category": "Text", "text": "Women in agriculture face challenges in accessing land, credit, technology, and training. Adult men outnumber adult women as landowners by nearly three times. Women receive loans less frequently, primarily for basic needs, while men's loans focus more on investment, particularly in farming activities²⁶."}, {"bbox": [97, 603, 270, 627], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Inclusive Growth"}, {"bbox": [97, 630, 1133, 709], "category": "Text", "text": "State and military-controlled conglomerates have hindered the growth of smaller enterprises in Myanmar's private sector, limiting employment opportunities and innovation. Private sector initiatives are necessary to support micro, small, and medium-sized businesses for inclusive and sustainable economic development."}, {"bbox": [97, 735, 1133, 896], "category": "Text", "text": "Since Myanmar embarked on intensive economic growth relatively late, MSMEs have the unique opportunity to benefit from the latest technologies that make 'low carbon' / 'green' / 'responsible' growth commercially viable. However, due to decades of isolation from the global markets, Myanmar MSMEs still lag behind in knowledge about new technologies and responsible practices. Supporting MSMEs to implement improved and resources efficient technologies and practices will be essential for sustainable, environmentally sound, and thus more resilient businesses, integrated more and sustainable market-led value chains."}, {"bbox": [97, 921, 1133, 1055], "category": "Text", "text": "The COVID-19 crisis and the military takeover have severely impacted MSMEs due to their vulnerability and limited resources. Around half of all companies faced disruptions in input and raw material supply, mainly due to increased costs and logistics constraints. The devaluation of the Myanmar Kyat has further worsened the situation, making imported goods and raw materials more expensive and reducing economic activity²⁷. Businesses in conflict areas are facing even greater challenges, struggling to survive amidst escalating violence."}, {"bbox": [97, 1080, 1133, 1214], "category": "Text", "text": "Due to increased power outages, businesses have seen a sharp spike in operational costs. Since early 2022, electricity blackouts have expanded across the country, including in the business hub cities of Yangon and Mandalay. Power generation declined from 3,711 MW in October 2021 to 2,665 MW in March 2022²⁸, with no possibility under the current political circumstances to start increasing again. For businesses, investment in renewable energy sources will soon become a necessity."}, {"bbox": [97, 1239, 1133, 1397], "category": "Text", "text": "MSMEs in the agri-food value chains face challenges such as rising input prices, reduced credit, transportation issues, and disruptions in operations. Access to electricity and fuel, particularly for mills, is a significant concern²⁹. Because the country has been closed for such a long period, agricultural MSMEs have lacked access to knowledge, technology and markets, often have informal labor practices and struggle to meet international standards and food safety requirements. Therefore meeting buyer requirements is a major challenge for accessing export and high-end domestic markets."}, {"bbox": [97, 1424, 1133, 1479], "category": "Text", "text": "Women entrepreneurs in Myanmar face additional constraints in accessing capital to develop their businesses. Women-owned enterprises are more likely to be informal, lack business registration, and receive lower loan"}, {"bbox": [86, 1548, 876, 1570], "category": "Footnote", "text": "²⁵ Aung Tun, Agriculture in a State of Woe Following Myanmar's 2021 Military Coup, ISEAS, Singapore, March 2022"}, {"bbox": [86, 1568, 719, 1588], "category": "Footnote", "text": "²⁶ Women and Youth in Myanmar Agriculture, IFPRI Discussion Paper 02071, December 2021"}, {"bbox": [86, 1587, 656, 1608], "category": "Footnote", "text": "²⁷ https://dkiapcss.edu/myanmar-economy-in-tailspin-2-years-after-the-military-coup/"}, {"bbox": [86, 1607, 528, 1628], "category": "Footnote", "text": "²⁸ https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/burma-energ"}, {"bbox": [86, 1626, 707, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "²⁹ United Nations Myanmar, UN Socio-Economic Resilience Response Plan, September 2021"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 7 of 27"}]