(Yangon, 26 March 2026) The first anniversary of the earthquake, which struck central Myanmar, is approaching on Saturday, 28 March. While substantial progress has been made, recovery efforts continue with a sharp focus on restoring livelihoods and rebuilding agricultural systems. The disaster affected an estimated 17 million people across 57 townships, with widespread damage to farmland, irrigation systems, and rural infrastructure. For farming communities, the impact extended beyond immediate loss, disrupted planting cycles and threatened long-term income stability. Across affected areas, an estimated 3.7 million hectares of cropland were impacted, with land sinking, cracking, or becoming unsuitable for cultivation. For many households, missing a planting season would mean losing their primary source of income, and for some, food for the year. 
Response to Recovery
In the immediate aftermath, support focused on the emergency response. As the response progressed, the focus shifted toward early recovery, particularly restoring agricultural production. Interventions were designed to align with the agricultural calendar, ensuring farmers could return to production within the same season.
This included:
- Land rehabilitation through levelling and restoration
- Distribution of natural fertilisers, seeds, and other agricultural inputs
- Technical guidance to improve soil conditions and productivity
A Farmer’s Experience
For one farmer, the earthquake left his land severely damaged, with a large depression making cultivation impossible.
With support for land levelling and access to natural fertiliser, he was able to prepare his fields again and resume planting. He has since returned to growing multiple crops on his three-acre plot and expects a significantly improved harvest compared to the previous year.
Recovery Across Communities
His experience reflects a broader pattern seen across affected communities, where timely support has enabled farmers to restart production and begin rebuilding their income.
Many smallholder farmers faced similar challenges after the earthquake:
- Land that could no longer be cultivated
- Limited resources to restore fields
- Risk of losing a full agricultural season
With targeted support, farmers were able to bring land back into use and continue farming.
In several communities, farmers report that:
- Restored land is now productive again
- Access to natural fertiliser and seeds has improved crop performance
- Timely support helped prevent income loss
For rural households, agriculture is the foundation of both income and food security. When farmland is damaged, the effects can last far beyond the immediate crisis. Missing even one planting season can create long-term financial strain.
Looking Ahead
Recovery is still ongoing, but early progress shows that targeted support can help communities rebuild more quickly.
Restoring farmland is not only about production. It is about enabling families to regain stability and supporting communities to move forward after a natural disaster.
