A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Regional and Rural Development Planning

Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014

Main obj ective of the research i s to study the effect of the a gricultural extension through access to different ag ricultural extension activities and level of adoption. The research has assessed the effect of agricultural extensi on activities on paddy farmers delivered by Department of Agriculture in the lower Myanma r. The research was conducte d with three groups of farmers ( small, medium and large ) in four villages located in Pyay Township of Myanmar using survey questionnaire as a primary tool with a total of 120 sample respondents. Other data collection methods w ere field observation and key informant interviews. The research was focused on both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods. Main finding of this research is that farmers have participated highly in farmer{u2019}s meetings but participated less in the training activity. However, the participation of small farmers in training activity i s higher than medium and large farmers . Depending on participation frequency, knowledge gained of farmers in various kinds of management practices i s different. Specifical ly, the knowledge gained by large farmers i s found to be higher than small and medium farmers. Through practices that most of the farmers gained higher knowledge are from crop, water and post - harvest management activities. Relating to the adoption in imp roved farming practices, the adoption rate of small and large farmers in pest, water and post harvest management practices are higher than that of medium farmers. In nutrient management practices, higher percentages of large farmers have adopted timely fer tilizer application practice including compost and farmyard manure utilization. However, high percentage s of small farmers have adopted right use of seedling age. A fter participation of the extension activities, the yields and net return per acre of three farmer groups have been higher . Large farmers have higher yield than small and medium farmers due to their active participation on agricultural extension activities, knowledge gained and adoption on those practices and higher input utilization. Based on multiple regression analysis the variables such as land holding size, family labor utilization, participation in trainings, demonstrations, farmer{u2019}s meeting activities, knowledge gained in crop management and pest management, adoption in nutrient managemen t, pest management, water management and post harvest management practices are found significant in contributing positively for increasing the paddy yields and net return to farm income per unit of acre through agricultural extension activities promoted by the Department of Agriculture of Myanmar. In general, it is recommended to motivate farmers to participate in all agricultural extension activities and induce for adopting improved rice farming practices in Myanmar.