Mineral nitrogen and rice production in Myanmar

Soe Soe Thein1, Deli Chen2, Robert Farquharson2, and Ian Willett2

1Yezin Agricultural University, soesoethein1@gmail.com

2Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne

Abstract

Myanmar, like other countries in Asia, has made great efforts to intensify the production of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to feed a rapidly growing population. Most of these efforts concentrated on lowland paddy fields with irrigated double rice cropping systems. Nitrogen (N) rates applied by Myanmar farmers are generally low and do not consider economic aspects.  Mineral nutrient management is crucial to boost rice production as N is the most limiting nutrient. There is substantial potential to raise rice production by increased use of N fertiliser, which will increase regional demand for fertilisers and the supply of rice in the international market in the near future.  At this pivotal time in Myanmar’s development it is timely to elucidate the biophysical and socio-economic factors that lead to financially and environmentally viable intensification of rice production based largely on N fertilisation.