On 7-8 February 2017, a multi-stakeholder workshop was held in Yezin, near the capital Naypyitaw to discuss soil fertility and crop nutrition best practice. Workshop attendees included delegations from Wageningen University, SoilCares, the Embassy of the Netherlands, the Myanmar Department of Agricultural Research, the Myanmar Department of Agriculture and Myanma Awba Group.
The meeting featured a live demonstration of the SoilCares Soil Scanner, which will be further developed in the country by Myanma Awba Group for the benefit of smallholder farmers. The Myanma Awba Group will also lead the roll-out of the technology across the country.
With its reach of over three million farming families, Myanma Awba Group is seen to be the ideal partner for SoilCares in the country.
The Myanmar government also gave a strong endorsement for the scanner technology, with Dr Tin Htut, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, opening the workshop at the Department of Agricultural research facilities near Naypyitaw.
SoilCares and Myanma Awba Group will spend the next three months developing the calibration database by collecting soil samples from over 600 locations throughout the country. Roll-out to Myanmar farmers is scheduled for mid-2017.d
“The SoilCares Scanner technology has an ideal fit in our service offer.The technology will enable us to make grower-focused fertilizer recommendations in a cost-effective manner, resulting in higher crop yields and improved return on investment for farmers”.
Martin Weiss
Chief Agronomist for Myanma Awba Group
“With its focus on leading technologies, quality cropping inputs and a value chain approach – all linked with extensive on-farm training – Myanma Awba Group clearly adheres to the profile that the SoilCares group seeks to partner with”
Robbert Ausems
International Sales Manager for SoilCares