Myanmar has the tenth or eleventh largest national aquaculture industry on a biomass basis. However, the bulk of that is provided by polyculture of carps in extensive aquaculture conducted in large (10ha+) ponds. With the economic and democratic opening up starting in 2013 several development and aid groups began to work with the industry to introduce updated technology and training. The US Soybean Export Council, Aquaculture Without Frontiers, US-AID, JICA, KOIKA, AUSAID, WorldFish and Chinese and European countries, were among the first to devote resources. In addition to providing basic culture techniques and post-harvest handling support, the aid groups were also introducing new equipment, feed ingredients and processing improvements. Another area of intense interest was introduction of selectively bred shrimp, tilapia, sea bass and other species produced in more intensive systems that would garner higher prices compared to the ubiquitous carps.
USAID, the EU-GIZ, and FAO each supported multiple projects that contributed to aquaculture development. Capacity building for aquaculture education at the university level was a key component. Building collaborations between academia and industry was an associated activity which has proven to be crucial. Support to upgrade fish, shrimp, Artemia, Macrobrachium, and Scylla crab hatcheries was also a priority. Several activities were devoted to helping small farmers to better understand the basics of water quality and pond management, fish and shrimp nutrition and feed management, harvest and post-harvest techniques were also taught on a broad basis.
Legislative approval and publication of a National Aquaculture Development Plan with associated documents was a key improvement. Training in more sustainable farming practices and the role of NGO's and how to achieve certifications was another key topic of instruction. Phone apps, training manuals, workshops and online instruction during covid restrictions were all important tools for building the capacity of farmers to produce more seafood products in a more sustainable manner.