How does the Irrawaddy River support farming in Myanmar’s central dry zone?

While the Irrawaddy River itself is little used for direct irrigation in Myanmar’s central dry zone, it supports regional agriculture primarily through its tributaries and historical water management systems.1

The Mu River, a major tributary of the Irrawaddy, has been utilized for irrigation since the 9th century. The Mu Valley Irrigation Project, one of the largest in the country, facilitates the dry-season cultivation of various crops, including wheat, cotton, corn, peanuts, sesame, and millet. These irrigated areas within the Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magwe divisions contribute approximately one-sixth of Myanmar’s total rice production.1

Historically, the dry zone relied on extensive irrigation works dating back to the 1st and 11th centuries. Although maintenance of these systems fluctuated after the 19th century, many remain active today, having been repaired and extended during the early 20th century to support commercial agriculture. In parts of the dry zone where irrigation is unavailable, farmers cultivate crops that are less sensitive to irregular rainfall.2