Abstract
As hybrid maize cultivation continues to reshape agricultural livelihoods in Myanmar, understanding its complex socio-economic and environmental implications has become increasingly important. Since its introduction in the mid-1990s, CP hybrid maize has expanded rapidly across Southern Shan State due to its high yield potential, strong market demand, and contribution to household income. Existing studies have documented the economic opportunities and environmental consequences of CP maize cultivation before 2021; however, they provide limited evidence on how the post-2021 political crisis has altered farmers’ experiences and the sustainability of maize production. This study addresses this gap by examining the drivers of CP maize cultivation and its socio-economic and environmental consequences in Southern Shan State, Myanmar, during 2023–2024. A qualitative research design was employed using purposive and snowball sampling. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 17 participants, including CP maize farmers, agricultural experts, community leaders, and environmental activists. The findings reveal that farmers continue cultivating CP maize because of its resilience, relatively low labor requirements, strong market demand, and perceived income opportunities. Nevertheless, they face escalating production costs, dependence on brokers, counterfeit seeds, inadequate technical support, unpredictable weather, and volatile market prices, all of which intensify financial insecurity. Environmentally, intensive monocropping and excessive chemical inputs contribute to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and deforestation, threatening long-term agricultural sustainability. The study recommends strengthening agricultural research and extension services, improving farmers’ access to technical knowledge and quality agricultural inputs, establishing fairer market systems to reduce price instability, and promoting sustainable farming practices, including crop rotation, organic fertilizer application, and improved soil management. These measures can enhance farmers’ resilience while supporting environmentally sustainable agricultural development in Southern Shan State.
Key words: CP maize cultivation, Socio-economic impacts, Environmental impacts, Sustainable agriculture, Market instability, Political crisis, Southern Shan State, Myanmar.
