About the project

As part of our <b><a href="182763">Sustainable Business Programme</a></b> WWF is working with Myanmar’s Department of Agriculture toward creating a sustainable rubber supply chain that will benefit both nature and people. As the global market shifts toward a demand for sustainably sourced natural rubber, Myanmar has the opportunity to become a key player in the global sustainable rubber trade and for the product to become a major driver in the country’s economic growth.


Though rubber is already produced all over the country in rural communities that depend on it as a means of income, rubber production is  fraught with socio-economic challenges for farmers who do not usually own their own land and depend heavily on loans. Yield is often low in quality and quantity, there is a limited access to markets and a general lack of know-how. The environmental impacts of existing rubber agriculture are dramatic too. Rubber farm expansion is contributing dangerously to deforestation in Myanmar - destroying the forests that are invaluable for both communities and wildlife.
 

How will we do it?

To develop a sustainable rubber sector, WWF is collaborating with the Department of Agriculture and stakeholders, including farmers, to:

• Improve land tenure security for smallholders and ensure a participative approach to land use
• Map High Conservation Value (HCV) forest to prevent agricultural expansion
• Strengthen sustainable cooperatives and support farmers
• Strengthen institutional capacity to improve access to farms and input good agricultural practices and green finance
• Put in place traceability measures will help ensure rubber is sustainably produced

Though industrial development is critical for economic growth, if not managed responsibly it could have significant negative impacts on the natural environment and undermine the country’s long-term development. Through cleaner production practices, we have an opportunity to ensure growth whilst conserving natural resources, contributing to people’s well being, promoting innovation and helping industries to mitigate risks, cut costs and reduce water and energy use.