A GROUP of 150 Myanmar legume farmers has completed a two-year training program implemented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation aimed at improving production methods to increase agricultural yields, said an official with the project.

The training will help farmers achieve sustainable food production, improved food security, and higher and more stable incomes from agriculture, said Daw Shirley Smellie, a national project coordinator with FAO.

The program, which lasted from January 2002 to December 2003, was conducted in collaboration with the Myanma Agriculture Service, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

It was funded by about US$340,000 from the FAO, which chose 25 farmers to train at each of its six project sites.

The sites were at Mahlaing in Mandalay Division, Monywa in Sagaing Division, Thongwa in Yangon Division, Letpadan in Bago Division, and Taunggyi and Kalaw in Shan State.

“The 150 farmers we chose will share their knowledge of legume production methods and technologies with other farmers,” Daw Shirley Smellie said.

The program, which combined lectures and field training, covered such topics as traditional and modern cultivation methods and the disadvantages and advantages of using chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

A final post-program field training workshop was held at Nyaung-U in Bagan from March 10 to 12, during which 57 trainees from different project sites gathered to share their experiences and knowledge.