Delta Livelihood Network (DLA) organised the 5th Livelihood and Seed Fair in Bogale on 19-20 February. The aim of this year’s event was to strengthen livelihood activities and create linkages between development stakeholders. Better linkages create opportunities for networking, coordination and collaboration. At the fair, participants shared updates on project activities and what they have learned.
DLN is a network of 20 international and local development organisations and relevant government line departments from Pyapon, Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun Townships, in Ayeyarwady Region.
The event was opened by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation of Ayeyarwady Regional Government, H.E U Tin Aung. LIFT representatives and partners were joined at the event by the Department of Agriculture’s (DOA) Regional Director, representatives from government line departments, local civil society organisations, farmers, students and the general public from Bogale, Mawlamyinegyun, Pyapon, and Labutta townships. Around 50 display booths showcased the activities of LIFT’s implementing partners, private sector companies, government departments and farmers. About 1,500 people participated in the two-day event.
In his opening remarks, H.E U Tin Aung said: “the interventions of LIFT and its partners are effectively contributing to livelihood development and food security of people in Ayeyarwady. I really appreciate all the development organisations active here in the Delta Region and their support”.
“I heard LIFT’s funding will be end after 2018. But, we expect the projects to be extended for the next two to three years,” he said. U Tin Aung said the regional government was ready to support all development activities of LIFT and its partners at any time, whenever needed and relevant.
LIFT’s Delta Programme Manager Libera Antelmi Dazio gave a keynote speech at the event. She described the background to LIFT’s work in the Delta and said the role and continuous support of the Ayeyarwady Regional Government and its line departments for programme interventions was much appreciated.
After the opening ceremony, the Minister and visitors visited the display booths at the market place.
During the two days technical talks were presented and participants, particularly farmers, had a chance to raise questions relevant to them. The sessions were very interactive. Topics covered included climate change and its effect on agriculture, seed production and marketing, livestock and aquaculture, empowering entrepreneurs, land tenure research and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The government departments also actively participated by giving comments, clarifications and sharing information, offering potential collaboration and coordination.
A few highlights of this year’s event were: increased involvement of government departments in terms of display booths and technical talks, sale opportunities for beneficiaries’ products like vegetables produced without any chemicals. With the support of DLN, some of these producer groups are creating links with experienced producer groups to approach the global market.
