PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD > Myanmar (Burma) > 23

Inle region, Myanmar (Burma)

 Abundant heat and water have contributed for centuries to a prosperous agriculture, altough the violence of monsoons and scarce control of mighty rivers such as the Irrawaddy have systematically brought their share of devastation. 

Thanks to its soil and climate, ideal for teakwood, rice and rubber, Burma attracted the British who invaded it in the XIX century and were only driven out by the Japanese in the second world war. Although the Burmese at large did not benefit as much as they should have from the increased output trade, a sizeable portion of the population grew quite rich, and at the beginning of the XX century the country as a whole was one of the whealtiest in Asia. The book titled "The Glass Palace", provides a powerful account of that period.

A long way downhill to the present day, when Myanmar ranks among the poorest in the world, and from being one of the major rice exporters it has become merely capable of feeding its own population. While a considerable amount of agricultural resources are devote to the cultivation of opium to be exported in the rest of Asia and eventually in the West. Both agricultural and drug-related issues need urgent attention from the international community, and each one of us can contribute. Have more details in our "what you can do" section.

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