Chemical fertilizers form an important input in crop production, and equirments are being made available from local industries and through imports. Prior to 1988, the State was solely responsible for making available agricultural inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides. But with the shift to a market economy in 1988, measures were also taken to allow private sector participation in the import and sale of agricultural inputs. However, private sector response remained inactive till the end of 1992-93 and there was no appreciable increase in the use of fertilizers, which remained around only about one fifty thousand metric tons yearly. The 1993-94, on the other hand, witnessed active participation of both the co-operative and private sectors, and during that year, fertilizers made available for crop production increased to two hundred and sixty metric tons. The supply of fertilizer showed a gradual increase, in latter years, though there still remains a large gap to meet the demand. Yearly distribution of fertilizers are given below.             See Table

According to the present state of availability, fertilizer applications fail to meet the respective crop recommendations. Availability of urea from domestic sources, together with imports still remain inadequate, and which in turn dictate the use and import of phosphoric and potash fertilizers. The following table shows the comparative study on fertilizer distribution according to availability.
            See Table

In the drive for higher productions, which has entailed expansion in cultivation, change in cropping systems and other feasibilities, mechanization has come to assume an increasingly important role. Apart from its essentiality in land preparation, it is being called upon to take a greater share in harvesting, threshing, drying, etc.
Land preparations in previous years were undertaken by tractors on heir, from the Agricultural Mechanization Department. At present, however, power tillers, water pumps, etc. are being imported and distributed to farmers with a view to support and accord momentum to increased land preparation, harvesting threshing and other associated agricultural activities. Similarly, power tillers, seeders, weeders, dryers and engine driven threshers are being modified and manufactured locally to partially complement requirements and distribution of farm machineries. Private sector participation continues to be encouraged and given necessary assistance.
            See Table

Formerly, land preparations by departmental tractors were purely departmental operations. Farm tractors are now available on hire services to user-farmers or as outright contracts. It has resulted in progressive annual mechanized land preparations as indicated below:-             See Table

The "development of agriculture sector as the base and all-round development of other sectors of the economy as well" constitutes the first and foremost aspect in the State's economic objectives, and mechanized agriculture as an highly effective contributory force, is being increasingly brought into the play. In support, a Myanmar Industrial Development Commitee (MIDC) chaired by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation was formed to accord close attention to the activities. MIDC is paying attention for stepping up the development of mechanization systems in agriculture.13 Industrial zones have already been defined in various locations and open to increasing private of the committee enumerated as below:-

Industrial exhibitions have been held in appropriate locations and 21 Model Villages have established at the industrial zones. The Committee remains assured, the measures will contribute to industrialization in the near future.

The requirements in agricultural machinery, are met from products and assemblies manufacture in government and as well as private sector factories. Additionally, imports are also being enhanced. There are three factories under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and many small scale private factories.Yearly distribution of farm machinery and implements produced by government factories have been as follows:-
            See Table

One of the main causes limiting crop production are problems related to pest infection.The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is fully aware that pest control is essential in crop production and limiting environmental impact. Necessary measures remain in force to control and contain various pest infections, and pesticides are being used systematically. Normally, through, pest infections occur only on few crops, in some areas. Both chemical and organic protections are used for prevention and proper care is exercised both in usage and application, to minimize hazards and environment pollution.
A Pesticide Law was enacted on 11 May, 1990 for the management of pesticide utilization, production and distribution. Furthermore the Plant Pest Quarantine Law 93, was enacted on June 1993.Among others, it embodies quarantine procedures as, the prevention of entry of pests and its quarantine, the suppression from spread ; disinfection treatment of plant products for export and issuance of phytosanitary certificates.
The Plant Protection Division, as one under the Myanma Agriculture Service is assigned with technically qualified staff to carry out plant protection activities, and well assisted by trained staff at state/Division and District levels and other designed points. They remain engaged in efficient trials for insecticides, fumigation operations on export commodities, issuance of certificate, developing integrated pest management practices, prevention and controlling plant diseases, performance and evaluation in quality control, and technical support to the pesticide registration board.

Technology served as the engine of growth in the developed world, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is cognizant of it. The application of modern agro-technologies, constitutes one of the ministry's thrusts, and it strives to remain abreast with advancing agro-technologies. As an important process, the indispensable fruitful linkages has merited serious attention. It is being pursued with various trainings on different crops relative to improved farming methods, weed and pest control, mechanization, irrigation, post-harvest technology etc. and training stations of the respective departments and enterprises of the ministry.

The extension workers, in turn, strive their best to diffuse the technologies among farmers by means of demonstrations, field days, and chance information on technical difficulties, that farmers, as natural experimenters face, while trying out technological improvements under their respective field conditions, are fed back to the research using for solutions or improvement. There have been significant achievements in technology transfers, and some prominent cases in point, have been the ministry's summer paddy or triple paddy in one year, rice gardening, rice ratooning and paddy-fish farming, etc. However, the issues on whether these systems are detrimental to the environment and resources are still in contention and need to be fine-tuned between planner and environmentalist.

Successful, productive and profitable agriculture mainly depend on time, weather and investment. And investment, as one of the major pillar of supports is made available through government agricultural loans. The activities were undertaken by the Myanma Agricultural Development Bank (MARDB) under the supervision of Ministry of Planning and Finance before 1988.

After the liberalization of price and other controls on agricultural crop production, in 1994, MARDB was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for better coordination and more attentive support to the agricultural sector, while changing the name to "Myanma Agricultural Development Bank".

There are various types of loans as annual loans, short term loans, long term loans and development loans, on distribution to the growers at favourable interest rates, ranging from 12 to 17 percent. Performance indicators for the past years are described below:-
            See Table

An important factor relating to technology transfer, is human resource development. The MOAI, therefore, has been undertaking educational activities such as trainings, workshops, seminars, etc., for MOAI staff, locally while arranging for further studies, on-job training, and participating in international seminars, workshops and meetings has been made.

MOAI has already had good relations with International organizations, NGOs, UN agencies and SMEs for many years.As a result, new bloods from MOAI have been sent to Israel for on-job training since 1994 for duration of 11 months. In 1997-98, 154 of MOAI staff finished their courses while around four hundred of other staff and officials were sent to abroad for further studies, trainings, workshops, seminars and meetings.

Being aware of the role of human resource development, MOAI will continue its efforts to obtain well-trained technicians and experienced staff through possible chances for the development of agricultural sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation also wished to place an record its thanks to FAO, UNDP, UN agencies and other donor countries for their advisory services and contribution to human resource development, institution building, research and development, seed production and specific crop assistance in the agricultural sector.