The project was one of the first in Myanmar that applied a value chain approach (oilseed products: sesame, grounduts, sunflowers – seeds, oil, cake) from farmers to market, covering four regions (Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway and Yangon) and raised high level of awareness of the urgent need to address food safety issues. It applied a new approach of building capacity across the chains through a pool of local experts and within institutions. It built an important foundation of skills and competences related to food safety and compliance with international standards in both public and private sector built for more than 900 stakeholders. The project helped raise awareness on the importance of food safety for human health and responsible production among Myanmar citizens, not only for export but also for local consumption, as was the case for oil millers, who joined the programme to implement food safety systems to improve the quality of their products also to supply local consumers.

Strengthened capacity to improve compliance with GAP and SPS measures (including pest control, harvest and post-harvest practices and pesticide use) by farmers

Activities were focussed on knowledge transfer and strengthening local capacity. More than 20 extension officers were trained to assist farmers to implement GAP. The Department of Agriculture (DoA) is now equipped with a strong pool of 11 extension officers that changed their approach to assist farmers and proved to be able to advise farmers. In-depth Food Safety training program supported nearly 500 beneficiary farmers to implement GAP. Training of Trainers (ToTs) assisted farmers in implementing GAP and monitored the progress made. As a result of the strengthened capacity to improve compliance with GAP and SPS measures, 150 farmers (31%) obtained the national GAP certification for their sesame crops and, as proven through the final crops’ sample testing, the quality and safety of farmers’ oilseeds have overall improved.

The project supported DoA in promoting the newly introduced GAP national protocol (based on ASEAN GAP) and aligned the training materials to these guidelines. Furthermore, the project promoted the use of the Plant Protection Department Mobile application for growing techniques and pest management of oilseeds crops.

Increased capacity for quality segregation of seeds and GHP at storage facilities

Five beneficiary collectors increased their understanding and implementation of the good storage, manufacturing and hygiene practices to be followed in their daily business operations to retain the quality and safety of the product at the collection and traded level. The layout and physical construction of the warehouses were highly improved. Practices applied to receiving, handling, storage and dispatch of products were enhanced which resulted in safe and quality products being traded, including seeds. 

To reach out and further incentivize the engagement of collectors to be part of the oilseeds’ quality value chains, the project collaborated with the four regional commodity exchange centres (CEC) and experts from interested institutions and government departments. CEC reached out to more than 200 collectors and other intermediaries on improving Good Hygiene Practice and Good Warehouse Practices. The Quality and Food Safety Manual for oilseeds storage produced by the project was the first of its kind in that it was developed with large contributions of a pool of locals and largely disseminated to users. This resulted in the dissemination of more than 2,000 manuals providing information on quality and food safety for oilseeds storage. The project also donated 48 pieces of 8 different raw material quality control equipment to selected collectors to improve their sorting and food safety control practices.

Enhanced capacity to apply food safety control systems based on GHP, GMP, HACCP in oilseed processing

Eleven companies (5 oilseeds processors/exporters and 6 oil millers) successfully completed the in-depth training and assistance program and improved their overall business performance and compliance with international standards by implementing good hygiene and food safety practices throughout the whole production process based on Codex standards. Seven of them obtained third-party HACCP certification to facilitate market access. An increase in annual export sales was reported by processors/exporters in the oilseeds sector applying pre-requisites programmes and HACCP. As a result of food safety raising awareness in the sector, the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) approved oilseeds processing factories and the certification has been increasing in number every year (2 oil mills in 2015, 7 oil mills in 2016, 28 oil mills in 2017, 50 oil mills in 2018).

The companies were assisted throughout the HACCP implementation phase by a pool of Trainers cum Counsellors (TcCs) that were trained and coached. Nine of them are now able to advise the companies on GHP and HACCP and passed a final exam. Their profile is included in a booklet to promote their skills and services on food safety. A number of publications were produced and distributed to several organization and during trade fairs, including the SMEs profile booklet. A market guide for oilseeds processors has been developed and handed over to MoC for distribution to other oilseeds businesses.

Increased linkages along the sector value chain and to export markets

A number of business matchmaking activities were held throughout the project. Companies were guided to attend international trade fairs and events for establishment of new linkages for export opportunities. Multiple events were organized between farmers, collectors, processors and exporters from different townships, resulting in business deals with higher margin in comparison to the average market price. Furthermore, study tours to neighbouring countries were organized for experience sharing, which improved knowledge and understanding of business deals.

At local level, the project promoted public-public and public-private cooperation. More than 250 farmers created new contacts with local collectors and buyers; 8-linkages between farmer groups, local buyers and respective townships ToTs were established for about two consecutive growing seasons. Four individual value chains are expected to be sustainable beyond the project under the monitoring of DoA township level to facilitate the trading agreements.