Green Emerald Project: Improving rural socio-economic life

The Department of Rural Development under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development is undertaking for narrowing development gap and improving the socio-economic life of rural people while supporting small enterprises through cooperative system.

In 2022-2023 fiscal year, the people-centred approach and village development project is being undertaken through the green emerald project.There are over 780 households in Kan Pyaung village, Kyauktan township of Yangon Region and the locals said they was able to do more for both their own businesses and the development of the village through the support of the Department of Rural Development.

Maung Ohn, Resident, Kyauktan Township, said “From the support of the Department of Rural Development, we have good transportation access in our village and also get the clean drinking water. That’s why, all villagers are satisfied and pleased.”

Ni Ni Win, Resident, Thanlyin Township, said “ The Department of Rural Development carries out linking of water pipelines. The Department implemented the water purifying machine and the water pipe linking system for 380 households.”

174 lakes and wells, 15 roads for product transportation, 3 bridges and 139 green emerald projects have been implemented and job opportunities have been created through cash for work project in Thanlyin district.

Aye Kyu, District Head, Department of Rural Development, Thanlyin, said “ We select villagesto support depending on the needs on water supply, production road, and investment capitals for the villages with the participation of stake holders. We analyze progress of works in the village by forming the Assessment Team.”

Director, Department of Fisheries (Rakhine), ThetOo, said “ In 2022-23 fiscal year, from 1st April to 10th September, 5,500 tonsof Rohu were exported from Maundaw with border trade system and the export value has 6.851 Million USD. From Sittwe border trade post, 2533.40 tons were exported with the export value of 3.170 Million USD. From these two border trade posts, 8048.90 tons of Rohu fish have been exported to Bangladesh and the export volume has reached 10.011 million USD.”

Depending on the needs, villages are selected for the development. Out of the project, the green emerald project is the most successful one to increase family income of the villagers on the other hand and support poverty reduction.