Farmers’ Rights and Local Union
The IPSJ has supported farmers in establishing independent Farmers’ Unions (FUs) under the Labour Organization Law. Before the 2021 coup, hundreds of village tract–level FUs and 23 township-level FUs were formed nationwide. Following the coup, military repression and the targeted arrest of community leaders led to the collapse of many local unions.
With OPC support, IPSJ strengthened farmers’ unions to advance farmers’ rights, collective action, and equitable governance of natural resources. Assistance focused on covering core operational costs and enhancing the organizational and management capacities of FU leaders. The initiative also promoted youth engagement and facilitated youth participation in IPSJ-led capacity-building programs.
Land Sector Conversation Group (LSCG)
Effective land governance requires integrated economic, political, legal, and social analysis, supported by sound policies and capable institutions. In Myanmar’s current political context, there is a pressing need to reassess land governance systems, including the distribution of land-related authority, access, and benefits, to address emerging challenges and differing perspectives.
In response, IPSJ, in collaboration with MTRDF, established the Land Sector Conversation Group (LSCG) as a platform for inclusive dialogue on land governance. The group comprises up to 15 members, including land experts, community representatives, and practitioners engaged in land-related issues. Its objectives are to:
(i) strengthen understanding of sustainable land use, grassroots and ethnic minority land rights, and customary practices.
(ii) explore approaches to addressing existing and potential land disputes; and
(iii) raise public awareness to inform the development of a future federal land system.
The dialogue program engaged 14 participants (11 male, 3 female) and was structured around a review of Myanmar’s 2016 National Land Use Policy (NLUP). Discussions examined the policy’s principles, strengths and weaknesses, and its implications for land users and implementing institutions.
To ensure balanced perspectives, a total of six dialogue sessions were conducted, addressing issues from both government/administrative and public/community viewpoints. Sessions were held twice per month and focused on: (1) the core principles of the NLUP; (2) land use, management mechanisms, and community land rights (Sections 2–9); and (3) an overall assessment of implementation challenges and reform needs.
Each session was co-facilitated by two expert resource persons: a retired senior land governance expert formerly with the Myanmar Government and involved in the NLUP drafting process, and a youth representative from the Doh Myay Network, advocating farmers’ rights.
This dual approach allowed for a more nuanced understanding of the policy’s practical applications, potential conflicts, and areas requiring reform. The exchanges emphasized the need for policies that are not only legally sound but also socially just, ensuring that land management systems serve the long-term interests of both the state and its citizens.
