Gauging and Engaging With Myanmar

After decades of political isolation, Myanmar opened its doors to the outside world in 2011, opening up new economic opportunities that investors, donors and nonprofit organisations are keen to explore. Kopernik has been investigating the demand for simple, life-changing technologies that will benefit the many people living in poverty. After a productive trip this month, we are a step closer to making this happen.

The trip to Myanmar was both productive and enjoyable thanks to the talented team from the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, a Thai NGO that has been working in the country for the past three years. Mae Fah Luang implements a Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development project in Yenanchaung, Magwe Division that strengthens local people’s main source of income – animal husbandry – through goat loans and veterinary services. The project also creates new income generating opportunities through access to seed funds and promotes alternative energy sources like biogas and solar energy.

CURIOUS EYES AND HANDS
I traveled with the Mae Fah Luang team to Yenanchaung to introduce three of Kopernik’s most popular technologies: biomass cookstoves, water filters, and solar lights. At Kopernik’s first technology fairs in Myanmar, we explained how to use these new technologies, promoted the many benefits they offer, and asked what people thought of them.

The feedback was very positive. We conducted four technology fairs over two days, involving 13 villages and 380 people! The largest event drew 152 people to a large community hall. It was amazing to see such a big crowd actively following our presentation, and interacting with the products with curious eyes and hands.

PEANUT POLLING
At the end of each technology fair, we held a simple poll. Each person received a corn kernel or peanut to vote for his or her favourite product from the three choices: cookstove, water filter, and solar light. We explained that the three products are in the same price range, so people could factor this into their decision-making.

The results were very interesting. There was demand for all products, with no clear winner. Across the four technology fairs, solar lights received the most votes in two fairs, while cookstoves and water filters were preferred in one fair apiece.

UNIQUE NEEDS
The results reflect the unique needs of each community and household, based on varying levels of access to water, firewood, and electricity. Some villages are located far from a river where clean drinking water can be sourced. Other villages have limited access to firewood. While all villages are off-grid, wealthier households have solar panels or generators and poorer households only have battery-based lighting.

Building on these insights, we are now planning to launch our first projects in Myanmar in partnership with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. Stay tuned to learn more about Kopernik’s evolving engagement with Myanmar.