Cropping patterns of the study areas

financial support (36 per cent) and materials such as knives (27 per cent). Other supports sought by respondents include the formation of a functioning FMNR group to lead activities with proper rules and regulations to protect FMNR landscapes (For more details on financing related to FMNR, please see Section 6.4.)

Figure 8. Supports needed to sustain/practice FMNR

Cropping patterns of the study areas

Due to its geographical and agro-climatic conditions, lowland crops are not found extensively in the study areas. Upland cropping systems and crops are totally dominant throughout the year. During the summer, most villages do not cultivate any crops, with the exception of groundnut, which serves as a frequent component of intercropping systems.

Monsoon season (May-September) crops: Groundnut is a main monsoon season crop and is harvested twice as early monsoon and late monsoon varieties. According to survey results, 84 per cent and 95 per cent of farmers in Yenangyaung and Chauk townships respectively answered that sesame is also a main cash crop for smallholder farmers, and the study area was previously known for sesame production. However, the cropping pattern has gradually changed. Study respondents have expressed that growing sesame has become challenging or impossible due to extreme drought and unusual rainfall patterns. Most of the farmers in Yenangyaung township (68 per cent) cultivate sesame, however, only 14 per cent of farmers in Chauk township can do so.