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Accepted Paper:
Bridging agricultural livelihoods and energy access: Barriers and opportunities for rice and rice husk value chains in Labutta, Myanmar
Angela Mae Minas
(The University of Manchester)
Wahyu Nugroho
(Mercy Corps)
Sarah Mander
(University of Manchester)
Paper short abstract:
Reflecting on the results of our husk-to-energy research project in Myanmar - our aim is to encourage thinking about the role of energy in poverty alleviation, vis-à-vis urgency and justice - what is needed now and what is fair, especially to smallholders in rice production.
Paper long abstract:
We present the results of a collaborative research project between Mercy Corps Myanmar, Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar with Biomass Energy Association of Myanmar and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Manchester. The project explored the intersection between agricultural livelihoods and energy access through an investigation of social networks in rice and rice husk value chains in rural farming communities of Labutta in Myanmar's Lower Delta.
Rice production is an important agricultural activity in Myanmar, significantly contributing to its economy by providing income and employment to half of the country's population. However, because of lack of access to electricity in many rural areas, rice farmers have limited opportunities to increase their income. For many off-grid communities, heat and electricity for household lighting and livelihood activities are provided through steam and electricity produced from combustion or gasification of rice husk - a by product of rice milling. With an estimated over 3 million tonnes of rice husk produced every year, Myanmar has potential to utilise rice husk for income-generating activities and energy generation in order to support agricultural production and rural livelihoods.
This research mapped social networks in rice production and rice husk value chains in Labutta, Ayeyarwaddy Region. This allowed us to identify actors and network structures that could play important roles in supporting energy access and increasing livelihood opportunities for smallholders. Our interviews and group discussions with farmers and millers also revealed important challenges and opportunities for rice husk bioenergy within rural farming communities.
Click the star to add/remove an item to/from your individual schedule.
You need to be logged in to avail of this functionality, and to see the links to virtual rooms. Log in
Accepted Paper:
Paper short abstract:
Paper long abstract:
We present the results of a collaborative research project between Mercy Corps Myanmar, Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar with Biomass Energy Association of Myanmar and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Manchester. The project explored the intersection between agricultural livelihoods and energy access through an investigation of social networks in rice and rice husk value chains in rural farming communities of Labutta in Myanmar's Lower Delta.
Rice production is an important agricultural activity in Myanmar, significantly contributing to its economy by providing income and employment to half of the country's population. However, because of lack of access to electricity in many rural areas, rice farmers have limited opportunities to increase their income. For many off-grid communities, heat and electricity for household lighting and livelihood activities are provided through steam and electricity produced from combustion or gasification of rice husk - a by product of rice milling. With an estimated over 3 million tonnes of rice husk produced every year, Myanmar has potential to utilise rice husk for income-generating activities and energy generation in order to support agricultural production and rural livelihoods.
This research mapped social networks in rice production and rice husk value chains in Labutta, Ayeyarwaddy Region. This allowed us to identify actors and network structures that could play important roles in supporting energy access and increasing livelihood opportunities for smallholders. Our interviews and group discussions with farmers and millers also revealed important challenges and opportunities for rice husk bioenergy within rural farming communities.
Agriculture and livelihoods
Session 1 Wednesday 6 July, 2022, -