PHNOM PENH, July 17 — Myanmar is turning to cotton as a potential economic lifeline, in a bid to revive struggling rural communities and generate much-needed foreign exchange in the face of a prolonged economic slowdown.
The Southeast Asian nation, one of Asia’s largest rice producers, is expanding cotton cultivation to transform the crop into a high-value export commodity capable of generating up to US$500 million (RM2 billion) annually.
For millions of farmers facing rising production costs and shrinking incomes, cotton offers a new source of hope. However, success will depend on better seeds, irrigation, technology, and access to global markets.
“Just as there are many cotton-growing countries in the world, there are also many countries that import cotton.
“Since neighbouring and regional countries also have demand for cotton, exporting high-quality long-staple cotton varieties can generate foreign exchange earnings and contribute to the enhancement of the national economy,” said Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, as reported by state media The Global New Light of Myanmar, recently.
Agriculture remains an economic pillar that supports millions of rural households and generates jobs, and is a key revenue-generator for the economy.
Nationwide cotton production has exceeded 44,800 metric tonnes. Currently, about 218,500 hectares of farmland are used for cotton cultivation.
Myanmar smallholder farmers mainly cultivate Gossypium hirsutum (upland cotton), a variety highly sought after by the global textile industry for its fibre.
Myanmar’s farms are well diversified. Most farmers produce rice during the monsoon season and other crops such as beans, pulses, oilseeds, and maize during the cool and dry seasons, according to the World Bank.
But farmers are now burdened by higher fuel prices, rising fertiliser costs, labour scarcity, electricity shortages, and disruptions to supply chains. The seasonal weather hazards also adds misery.
The government’s effort to jump-start the stagnant economy is being hampered by rising fuel prices brought about by the West Asia conflict that erupted on February 28.
In its June report, the World Bank described the country’s economic outlook as subdued, with growth projected at two per cent in the financial year 2026-2027, which ends in March.
Economic planners are hoping the cash crop will boost exports and support its large domestic textile industry, which produces a range of products, from traditional longyi (wraparound cloth) to cotton fabrics to garments.
According to the state media, the government has pledged to support cotton farmers with high-quality cotton seeds and proper irrigation, and to supply additional water by way of solar-powered river pumping projects.
To address labour shortages, farmers are sowing seed using mechanised seeders.
