WorldFish and the International Rice Research Institute to host Myanmar’s first international scientific symposium on rice-fish systems

WorldFish and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Aung Thu, Myanmar’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, will host the first Southeast Asia Rice-Fish Systems (RFS) Symposium: Optimizing Land and Water Use from 6–8 August 2018.

The symposium, in the capital Naypyitaw, will bring together around 150 policymakers, government technical staff, scientists, academics, I/NGOS and private sector representatives, providing an opportunity for diverse stakeholders across the agri-food sector in Myanmar, Southeast Asia and around the world to exchange expertise.

The goal of the symposium is to build on rice-fish systems (RFS) experience from the region for optimizing integrated food production systems and nutritional benefits. Its objective is to provide decision-makers of land and water use reform with nutritionally focused RFS information to facilitate the ongoing reform process in Myanmar and elsewhere in the region.

Michael Akester, Country Director, WorldFish Myanmar: “The potential for agricultural development in Myanmar is considerable, and the sector provides an opportunity to build inclusive economic growth and contribute to poverty reduction.”