Export and diversification of agriculture in Burma 1950-1980

Abstract

Burma is predominantly an agricultural country. A large proportion of the population relies on agriculture for its livelihood, and most of the foreign exchange earnings are provided by agriculture. Rice traditionally has dominated the agricultural and export sectors. The three Burmese governments since independence have aimed to diversify agriculture away from the dependence on rice. The most recent government has sought to diversify exports. The major aim of this study is to examine patterns of both agricultural production and exports, to see if they have diversified. Reasons for any diversification are also explored, with most emphasis placed on price policy. The major conclusion is that there has been some diversification in both production and exports since independence. However, it is difficult to link these changes to price policy. At times it seems that this diversification may have occurred despite government policy rather than because of it.