Food and Nutrition Security in Rakhine State, Myanmar

Rakhine State, located on the western coast of Myanmar, has long been recognized for its rich cultural heritage, fertile coastal plains, and abundant marine resources. Yet, despite its natural endowments, the region faces persistent challenges in achieving food and nutrition security for its diverse population. This page provides an overview of the current situation, key drivers of vulnerability, and ongoing initiatives aimed at building a resilient food system.

What is Food and Nutrition Security?

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Nutrition security adds the dimension of proper utilization, emphasizing that the food consumed must provide essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Why Rakhine State?

Rakhines geography creates a unique set of strengths and risks:

• Coastal fisheries: The Bay of Bengal supports one of Myanmars largest fish catches.
• Agricultural zones: Lowlying delta lands produce rice, pulses, and oilseeds.
• Ethnic diversity: Rakhine, Rohingya, Kachin, Chin and other groups coexist, each with distinct livelihood strategies.
• Conflict and displacement: Communal tension and periodic displacement have disrupted production and market access.
• Climate vulnerability: Cyclones, flooding, and sealevel rise threaten crops and fishing grounds.

Current State of Food Security

Recent household surveys (20222023) indicate that between 30% and 45% of households in Rakhine experience some level of food insecurity, with higher rates among displaced and stateless populations. Key findings include:

• Staple consumption: Rice remains the primary staple, but average percapita consumption has dropped by 12% compared with 2015.
• Micronutrient gaps: Vitamin A, iron, and iodine deficiencies are prevalent, especially among children under five and pregnant women.
• Food access constraints: Poor road infrastructure and market closures during the rainy season limit physical access to diverse foods.
• Income volatility: Smallholder farmers depend heavily on seasonal harvests; any loss translates quickly into reduced purchasing power.

Drivers of Food Insecurity

1. Climate and Environmental Shocks

Rakhine is hit by an average of three major cyclones per decade. Cyclone Nargis (2008) and Cyclone Giri (2010) caused massive loss of rice paddies, mangrove forests, and fishing gear. Flooding also contaminates water sources, increasing the risk of diarrheal diseases that impair nutrient absorption.

2. Conflict and Displacement

Communal violence since 2012 has forced more than 150,000 people to live in camps or temporary shelters. Displaced households often lack land, livestock, or fishing equipment, making them dependent on humanitarian aid that may be irregular.

3. Market and Economic Barriers

Limited credit access forces many farmers to sell early at low prices, reducing income for later consumption. Rising fuel costs also increase transport expenses, inflating food prices in remote villages.

4. Nutritional Knowledge Gaps

Traditional diets are heavy in polished rice and low in animalsource foods. Limited awareness of diversified diets contributes to micronutrient deficiencies, especially where market supply of fruits and vegetables is scarce.

Health Implications

Food insecurity directly affects health outcomes. Recent health ministry data show:

• Stunting prevalence among children under five: 38% (national average 27%).
• Wasting prevalence: 12% (national average 7%).
• Maternal anemia: 44% (national average 33%).

These indicators signal longterm impacts on cognitive development, productivity, and overall community resilience.

Key Interventions & Programs

Multiple actorsgovernment ministries, UN agencies, NGOs, and local community groupsare working to strengthen food and nutrition security.

1. Agricultural Development

Crop diversification: The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the FAO, promotes planting of legumes, sesame, and highyield rice varieties that are more tolerant to salinity.
Climatesmart practices: Training on System of Rice Intensification (SRI), raised-bed farming, and integrated pest management helps reduce water use and increase yields.

2. Fisheries and Aquaculture

Communitybased fishery management committees have been established to regulate seasonal closures and protect mangrove nurseries. Smallscale fishers receive subsidized motorized boats and coldstorage units to reduce postharvest loss.

3. NutritionSpecific Actions

Nutrition education campaigns, led by UNICEF and local health workers, focus on:

• Promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
• Introducing vitaminA fortified cooking oil and ironrich leafy greens.
• Encouraging kitchen gardens using reclaimed floodplain soils.

4. Social Protection

The national Food Transfer Programme provides monthly rice rations to households whose income falls below the poverty line. In addition, conditional cash transfers are linked to school attendance and health clinic visits, encouraging protective behaviours.

5. Infrastructure & Market Access

Road rehabilitation projects, funded by the Asian Development Bank, aim to connect 80% of rural villages to major market towns by 2028. Improved transport reduces seasonal price spikes and expands market options for perishable products.

Success Stories

Case 1 Community Seed Bank in Maungdaw: A womenled seed exchange network saved 1,200kg of traditional rice and pulse varieties during the 2020 flood season, securing seed availability for the next planting cycle.

Case 2 Mangrove Restoration in Kyaukphyu: Over 15ha of degraded mangrove forest were replanted with native species. Within three years, local fishers reported a 20% increase in juveniles caught, reinforcing both food supply and coastal protection.

Challenges Ahead

While progress is evident, several obstacles remain:

• Data gaps: Accurate, disaggregated data on nutrition status for stateless populations is limited.
• Political stability: Ongoing communal tensions can halt development projects and restrict humanitarian access.
• Climate financing: Securing longterm funds for resilient infrastructure is essential.

How You Can Help

Individuals, organizations, and donors can contribute in several ways:

• Donate to reputable NGOs active in Rakhine (e.g., Action Against Hunger, Save the Children).
• Support advocacy for inclusive policies that protect the rights of displaced and stateless persons.
• Promote climatesmart agriculture through knowledge sharing and technology transfer.
• Invest in local enterprises that add value to fish and agricultural products, creating jobs and increasing incomes.

Conclusion

Food and nutrition security in Rakhine State sits at the intersection of environmental, economic, and social forces. Strengthening the resilience of farming and fishing communities, improving market linkages, and ensuring that vulnerable groups have consistent access to nutritious foods are critical steps toward a healthier future. Through coordinated efforts and sustained investment, Rakhine can transform its natural wealth into lasting food security for all its residents.

For more information, visit the UNICEF Myanmar Food Security page or the FAO Myanmar website.