抄録
Myanmar is known for its rich plant diversity due to the interactions of its geography, topography, and climate, along with its pattern of seasonal rainfall, and the presence of high mountains and major rivers. In this study, we highlight some information on agriculture, the use of wild edible plants, and the sustainable use of Amorphophallus in Myanmar. Agriculture is backbone of Myanmar's economy. The three main crop groups are paddy, beans, and oilseed crops. Home gardens are popular, and most of them are managed as places for cultivating vegetables and fruits and for growing cash crops. Home gardens also play an important role as a medicinal plants supply, and as an ex situ conservation area of rare species. Many wild plants are sold in the local markets and are used as edibles. Wild edible plants are used as vital ingredients for maintaining good health based on their traditional knowledge. Three Amorphophallus species are cultivated as cash crops in Myanmar: A. bulbifer Blume, A. muelleri Blume and A. krausei Engl, which have had economic importance in recent years. During the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) grassroots program, to promote villagers' farming systems from shifting cultivation to continuous farming, we recommended green mulching for soil management in their initial stage and agroforestry system in their home gardens. While the villagers had employed Amorphophallus cultivation favorably, they benefited from this cultivation via the project for only three years. Amorphophallus cultivation exemplifies a case study of the sustainable use of plant resources. It is also expected that Amorphophallus spp. will be valued as a promising cash crop in the mountainous areas in Myanmar.
