ThaiNGO

1. Background

The  Greater  Mekong  Sub-region  (GMS)  is  one  of  the  most  biologically  diverse  and  productive regions but its biodiversity is under enormous pressure from rapid economic development.  WWF-Greater  Mekong  works  to  halt  the  loss  of  the  region’s  extraordinary biodiversity,  and  to  ensure  that  human  use  of  the  region’s  natural  resources  is  sustainable  and equitable.  Unsustainable  economic  activity  is  a  major  driver  of  environmental degradation  and  a  green  economy  approach  embraces  the  management  and governance of natural capital - to maintain ecosystem functioning, provision of ecosystem services and equitable access to and sharing of resources.

The Dawna Tenasserim Landscape (DTL) is a highly biodiverse transboundary landscape spanning the Dawna and Tenasserim mountain ranges between Myanmar and Thailand. At approximately 178,900 km2, 83% of which is still forested, the DTL contains some of the largest remaining contiguous tropical moist and deciduous forests in Southeast Asia (WWF, 2018).

Preliminary econometric analyses have shown that maize cultivation is a leading cause of deforestation on both sides of the border in the Dawna Tenasserim Landscape, especially in the north. This study will contribute to an improved understanding of the dynamics and supply chains associated with maize cultivation in the Dawna Tenasserim Landscape.

2. Study objectives

Provide an analysis of the expansion of maize cultivation in key locations in the Dawna Tenasserim Landscape and the cross-border maize value chain.

3. Scope of work

The study aims to address four interconnected themes as described below. However, the actual scope of the study is contingent on access to sites and stakeholders.

1. Value chains and actor relations

• Identify and map cross-border maize value chains
• Analyze roles, incentives and constraints of value chain actors, and power relations between actors
• Describe trends in cross-border maize trade

2. Governance context

• Analyze maize cultivation in relation to economic context, and laws and policies regarding agriculture and forestry, in Thailand and Myanmar
• Analyze maize cultivation in relation to armed conflict, migration, and resettlement processes

3. Land use impacts

• Describe land use trajectories in study areas
• Estimate extent and nature/type of land use changes related to maize cultivation, including deforestation

4. Livelihood impacts

• Analyze key impacts on local communities

E. Recommendations for reducing degradation impacts from maize in the Dawna Tenasserim Landscape

The study will be qualitative. Theme C may build on the results of remote sensing based analyses conducted by WWF, if available at the time of the study.

4. Output and deliverables