| Myanmar is known as the land of rice and rivers.
Nearly 70% of the population is engaged in agriculture. The country was
once an important exporter of rice, but, by the mid-1960s, because of reduced
production and an expanding population, most of the rice grown in the country
was needed for local consumption.
Other crops include chili peppers, onions
and lemon grass, which is used as a flavouring. Fruits and vegetables include
mangoes, melons, beans and tomatoes. Some crops are grown for commercial
use. Cotton is grown for clothing and jute for making rope. People who
live near the forests often live by harvesting teak and redwood. Rubber
is grown in the Tenasserim area. |
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| Some of the hill tribes continue to grow opium
poppies. Opium was introduced by the British, who traded it for spices
and jewels. In the 1950s, anti-Communist Chinese forces established camps
in the hills, from which they launched attacks on Communist China. They
grew opium to raise money for their fight. In the past, the government
had no control over the hill tribes. The government is now trying to stop
the trade in opium. To do this, the hill tribes need to find other profitable
crops or forms of work. Crops such as buckwheat, rubber, sugar cane and
rice are being introduced. |
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Did you know? |
| The
Intha tribes spend six months of each year producing a crop of rice; the
rest of the year is devoted to fishing. |
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| Myanmar has a large supply of gas and crude oil.
It was the birthplace of the Burmah oil company. High-quality rubies and
jade, as well as silver and gold, are mined in central Myanmar. The dark
red Mogok rubies are highly prized. Pearls are also found off the coast
of Myanmar. Gemstone cutting and jewellery production began in 1993. Myanmar
has won awards for its gems and jewellery, including the Golden Europe
Award for its gemstones.
Many large industries, including the petrochemical,
railway, gem and timber industries, are under government control. Foreign
countries have also invested in the oil and gas industry. Although the
government is encouraging tourism, it is hampered by a lack of hotels and
restrictions on travel within the country. |
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Did you know? |
| In
1995, the Myanmar Women's Entrepreneur Association was founded to help
women in Yangon become self-supporting. The association launched a small
loan collateral pilot project. |
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