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Generating Rubber Opportunities project (GRO)

Project completed

The production of natural rubber is a key livelihood activity of farmers in Mon and Kayin State and northern Tanintharyi region. CARE International is mandated to implement a Market Systems Development project to work with all market actors and particularly the support institutions (meso level) for improving information, market access and access to inputs for 25,000 farmers as well as improving working conditions of particularly women in rubber plantations.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Myanmar
Employment & economic development
Agriculture & food security
nothemedefined
Business support & economic inclusion
Agricultural services & market
Agricultural co-operatives & farmers’ organisations
01.01.2018 - 31.12.2023
 CHF  7’203’500
The project in brief
Background 80% of Myanmar’s rubber is produced in Mon and Kayin State and Tanintharyi Region. The vast majority of rubber trees in the South-East of Myanmar are planted by women and men farmers with up to 20 acres (8 hectares) of rubber trees. They produce rubber of low quality and productivity is below potential.
Objectives

The overall goal is to work towards a market system that is more resilient, competitive, environmentally sensitive and inclusive and where rubber businesses are able to use their land as a business asset.

This leads to the project’s impact objective of enhanced well-being of women and men smallholder rubber farmers and tappers.
Target groups

Final beneficiaries: Women and men smallholder rubber producers and tappers

Direct beneficiaries: Besides the final beneficiaries also a broad variety of market actors, including government departments, industry associations, Civil Society and Community Based Organisations and private sector players
Medium-term outcomes
  1. Women and men small-holder farmers and tappers improve their rubber business productivity and quality of produce through better access to technology, information and services.
  2. Women and men small-holder farmers have improved land tenure security and decision-making power to leverage land as a business asset.
Results

Expected results:  

  1. Rubber input and service providers have strengthened knowledge and capacity and provide better inputs and business services.
  2. Market actors improve their understanding and take action, recognising the social and business case for gender-responsive practices/business models and improved working conditions.
  3. Village heads, government and EAOs are implementing land information systems so that women and men small-holder farmers are aware of their land rights and the pathways to obtain land documentation from appropriate authorities.


Results from previous phases:  

  • The first Myanmar Rubber Law was developed to define quality standards and export regulations. GRO was a key player in the law’s development in facilitating a broad public consultation and providing expertise.
  • Through Rubber Seller-Buyer meetings with the participation of the Mon Chief Minister, direct links were established between producers, small and big buyers.
  • 8,986 smallholder rubber farmers (3,145 women) received trainings in gender, land law awareness, tapping skills, rubber processing, and better linkages with processing factories.
  • Rubber farmers depend a lot on the international price for rubber for their income, that is why diversified production systems will be promoted in phase 2.
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Private sector
  • Care International
  • Swiss Private Sector


Other partners
CIRAD for technical backstopping on rubber production
Coordination with other projects and actors Strengthening land governance project (OneMap Myanmar, Land Core Group), LIFT, WWF, other actors in market system development in Myanmar that participate in the learning and exchange meetings organised by GRO
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    7’203’500 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    6’670’695
Project phases

Phase 2 01.01.2018 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)

Phase 1 01.05.2014 - 31.12.2017   (Completed)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation BUSINESS & OTHER SERVICES
    AGRICULTURE
    AGRICULTURE
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Business support services and institutions
    Agricultural services
    Agricultural co-operatives
    Cross-cutting topics Conflict reduction
    Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
    Mandate without fiduciary fund
    Project number

    7F08844

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Last update 26.09.2023