
Urban Agriculture in Myanmar
At Opportunity for Women , we strongly believe that women’s education and empowerment can transform lives. With this in mind, we are launching an innovative project in Yangon , with Fondacio Myanmar , that combines permaculture , urban agriculture and environmental education to provide local women with tools for self-sufficiency while contributing to the preservation of the environment.
An ecological training project led by John
The project is led by John Ze Hkawng , an experienced permaculture and climate change trainer, who joined the program in 2024. With a background in integral ecology , John is committed to sharing his knowledge with Yangon women and students at the YLDC (Youth Leadership Development Center) , as well as local residents. He teaches the fundamentals of sustainable agriculture, providing hands-on training on environmentally friendly farming techniques, such as using permaculture to maximize food production while respecting local ecosystems.
Key objectives of the project
The project's objectives are both ambitious and realistic, aiming to address food and ecological challenges while promoting women's empowerment:
- Training women in sustainable urban agriculture , teaching them permaculture techniques to grow organic produce in urban spaces.
- Raise awareness about the environment , with an emphasis on eco-responsible agricultural practices and their positive impact on family health and the planet.
- Produce organic vegetables , intended to support the center and participating families, thus contributing to food self-sufficiency.
A real impact for the community
This project will primarily benefit the women of North Dagon , but will also benefit YLDC students , who will learn how to grow their own food, adopt sustainable practices, and improve their quality of life. Through John’s training, these women will develop valuable urban farming skills that they can share with their families and peers, creating leverage for the entire community.
A long-term vision
The project is starting with a first phase, which will be small-scale, allowing for testing and adaptation of techniques before expanding activities. In the long term, the goal is to establish a Laudato Si Centre in Yangon, a place where the principles of integral ecology will be applied, and which can be replicated in other parts of Myanmar. John and his team will continue to work closely with local communities to expand the impact of the project and make it more accessible.
Sustainable change for women and the environment
Under John’s leadership, this project has the potential to change the lives of many women by providing them with food and economic autonomy. By learning to farm sustainably, they improve their food security, but also become ambassadors for ecological change in their communities. This project is a real opportunity for the women of Yangon to play a central role in the transition to a greener, fairer and more autonomous future.
It is thanks to your donations that Opportunity for Women was able to support this project.
Keep supporting us to help these women cultivate a greener, more prosperous future, and become leaders of sustainable change in Burma by donating to the association: make a donation
You can also discover our Ecoprinting project with Noe Noe in Myanmar: Meet Noe Noe and his inspiring journey towards sustainable entrepreneurship