Lessons Learnt from Seed Sector Development in Myanmar

The Myanmar seed sector has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, driven by a series of coordinated development programmes aimed at strengthening both the enabling environment and on-the-ground capacity. This study explores the design, implementation and outcomes of key seed sector initiatives in Myanmar between 2017 and 2024, with a particular focus on the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) Myanmar programme, and its interaction with complementary efforts such as the Myanmar Input Reforms Project and the Rice Seed Sector Development (RSSD) initiative.

The study seeks to understand how partnerships between public, private and development actors were formed and evolved, and how these collaborations contributed to systemic change in the seed sector. It examines not only the technical and institutional achievements of the programmes, but also the dynamics of cooperation, coordination and trust that underpinned their success.

Drawing on document analysis and stakeholder interviews, this report identifies key lessons learnt and provides recommendations for future seed sector development efforts. In doing so, it aims to inform the design of more effective, resilient and inclusive partnerships that can support sustainable agricultural development in Myanmar and beyond.