2016年-世界发展银行全球_Leveraging_the_Rice_Value_Chain_for_Poverty_Reduction_in_Cambodia_Lao_PDR_and_Myanmar_88页_3mb

Rice Sector Development and Poverty Reduction in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Summary

Core Content

This report, Economic and Sector Work Report No. 105285-EAP, explores the role of the rice sector in poverty reduction within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), focusing on Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. It highlights the importance of leveraging the rice value chain to enhance competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve economic outcomes. The report also discusses the lessons learned from recent developments and outlines a future policy agenda for these countries to capitalize on emerging opportunities and address key challenges.

Main Views

• Rice as a Strategic Sector: Rice is a critical agricultural product and food staple in the GMS, especially for the three low-income countries—Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. These countries are net exporters of rice, similar to their more advanced peers Thailand and Vietnam, but they have not fully utilized their sector's potential.

• Poverty Reduction Potential: The rice sector has been a significant contributor to poverty reduction in the GMS. In Cambodia, it accounted for 63% of total poverty reduction between 2004 and 2011. In Lao PDR, it contributed 44% from 2007 to 2013. Strengthening the sector is essential for continued poverty reduction.

• Rice Value Chains: The rice value chains in the target countries are less efficient compared to those in Thailand and Vietnam. Key weaknesses include less effective input supply systems, lower farm productivity and profitability, higher milling costs, and lower value of exported rice. Strengthening these chains is crucial for poverty reduction.

• Cross-Border Interlinkages: The rice sectors of GMS countries are increasingly interconnected. Policies in one country can have significant impacts on others. For example, Thailand's rice pledging scheme influenced prices and trade flows in other GMS countries. The re-entry of Myanmar into global markets has increased competition with Cambodia on the EU market.

• Policy Learning and Collaboration: The World Bank Group (WBG) organized a series of workshops in 2015 and 2016 to promote cross-country learning and knowledge sharing. These workshops brought together policymakers, private sector representatives, academia, and development practitioners to discuss policy reforms, competitiveness, and poverty reduction strategies.

• Private Sector Engagement: The private sector plays a vital role in rice value chain development. In Cambodia and Myanmar, rice federations have been active in facilitating dialogue between public and private stakeholders. Encouraging private investment through supportive policies and regulations is essential for improving the sector's performance.

• Challenges and Opportunities: The GMS countries face several challenges, including declining per capita rice demand, strong global competition, and the need to shift from traditional rice-centric policies to more diversified and sustainable strategies. Opportunities include global demand growth, increased cropping intensity, and the adoption of existing technologies to close yield gaps.

• Climate and Nutrition Considerations: The rice sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly through paddy cultivation. Improving climate-smart practices and reducing emissions is necessary. Additionally, the sector needs to be more nutrition-sensitive, with initiatives such as rice fortification and promoting less processed rice to address malnutrition, especially child stunting.

• Future Policy Agenda: The report emphasizes the need for policies that are "fit for purpose," tailored to the net export position and limited fiscal space of the target countries. It recommends strengthening the role of the public sector in delivering core public goods, enhancing private sector participation, and promoting sustainable and efficient practices across the value chain.

Key Information

• Target Countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar.
• Peer Countries: Thailand and Vietnam.
• Workshops Conducted: Six workshops were held in 2015 and 2016, including regional and in-country sessions.
• Policy Instruments: Several policy instruments were identified to improve rice value chains, with varying urgency and significance across countries. These include improving input supply, enhancing irrigation, promoting private sector investment, and supporting farm productivity and profitability.
• PPP Potential: Many of the policy instruments offer high potential for public-private partnerships (PPP) to achieve better results.
• Future Focus: The report calls for a shift from production and export targets to supporting the income of value chain actors, emphasizing sustainable and inclusive growth.

Conclusion

The rice sector remains a vital component of the GMS economy and a key driver of poverty reduction. By learning from regional and global experiences, strengthening value chains, and addressing challenges such as climate change and malnutrition, the target countries can enhance their competitiveness and contribute more effectively to shared prosperity. The report provides a roadmap for policy reform and collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve these goals.