VOLUNTEER IN MYANMAR | NEED ECO-VILLAGE SCHOOL & ORGANIC FARM
MYANMAR ORGANIC FARM VOLUNTEERING INTERNSHIP
The Network for Environment and Economic Development Myanmar (NEED Myanmar)'s Eco-village school stretches 4 hectares and is located north of Hmawbi, about 2:30 hours' drive from Yangon. The farm includes various fruit and vegetable patches (examples of crops that are grown there are basil, watercress, beans, bananas, lemongrass, garlic, onion, ginger, eggplant and chili), a mushroom grower and a rice mill. Rice is cultivated on a further 20 hectares. There are also some chickens, geese and pigs living at the farm. The entire farm is operated using solar energy.
HOST BACKGROUND
NEED Myanmar is an inclusive network that is non-ethnic specific, with the mission: to work towards strengthening Myanmar civil society so that all the people of Myanmar may benefit from the practice of endogenous and holistic development strategies, based on economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable ideas.
NEED attempts to achieve this goal by concentrating their efforts on the promotion of environmental conservation, sustainable agricultural, and economic development in Myanmar. To this end, NEED is building a strong network in all around Myanmar, by acquiring knowledge as well as seeking the participation of grassroots communities in order to help promote the practice of sustainable agriculture and economic development.
Many of the different ethnic youth participants of NEED are actively working for life security, peace and development in their respective communities by sharing knowledge, educating local communities and collecting data. By promoting the use of traditional knowledge for conservation, NEED is encouraging grassroots people to challenge the current agricultural and farming development path which is unsustainable and harmful to local biodiversity.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
As volunteer or intern, you will learn firsthand what you have to know about tropical organic agriculture in Myanmar. You will accompany local agriculture students and support activities at the farm. Possible activities are the development of small- scale cultivation methods, organic weed-control, permaculture, livestock etc.
PROGRAM DETAILS
General Information
- Location : Hmawbi Township, Yangon Region (2:30 hour's drive from Yangon)
- Availability : All year, flexible start (Advanced booking is required)
- Minimum Duration : 1 week
- Maximum Duration : 12 months
- Language : English
- Accommodation : Farmstay
Volunteering
- Possible Volunteering : Yes
- Required Qualification of Volunteer : None. Good to have knowledge in agriculture.
Internship
- Possible Internship : Yes
- Supervisor : Professional in farming
- Required Qualification of Intern : None. Good to have knowledge in relevant field.