In the 2nd half of this March, two SNISD program officers went to Wa, Myanmar to conclude the project of promoting high-quality and high-yield rice plantation and integrated utilization of biogas in Wa, Myanmar, which is funded by The Toyota Foundation.

The project aims to set up the Wa Agricultural School and cultivate technician to help promote the alternative agriculture and meanwhile get rid of poverty after the plantation of poppy is forbidden.

The 1st stage of the project has achieved a very good result by carrying out training of high-quality and high-yield rice cultivation. Experts from Simao Agricultural School and Simao Rural Energy Office acted as teachers in the 4 training terms sponsored by SNISD and the main courses include comprehensive agricultural technology and integrated biogas utilization techniques. There were once 105 trainees attending the training courses during one single term. Most of them, from the counties and military units, have returned to their original living place and become the backbone of agriculture.

After the construction of the 1st biogas digester in Wa, the teachers and students of the School helped the local residents construct 3-in-1 biogas integrated utilization system, which not only facilitated the daily life of housewives, but also improve the quality of life.

During the implementation of the project, SNISD has established cooperation with the UN Wa Alternative Development Project. Since April 2003, WADP set up training class for local farmers in Mengga, its project site. All the trainers are teachers and graduates of the Wa Agricultural School.

The 2nd stage of the project aims to establish a regular teaching team for the School, improve its infrastructure and support the pilot biogas utilization and rice cultivation families. Meanwhile, SNISD worked with WADP to promote the plantation of rice and help eradicate the plantation of poppy.

Currently, the project lasting for nearly 4 years came to an end with the original destinations reached.

The two program officers also made a TV documentary featuring the project, with the director and graduates of the agricultural school, local farmers interviewed. The film, entitled New Horizon in Wa Myanmar, is about 15 minutes long.