Development and adoption of improved chickpea varieties in Myanmar

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an important food legume in Myanmar. It is mainly grown in central dry zone of the country, mainly in Sagaing (54%), Magway (26%) and Mandalay (16%) divisions (Table 1). During 2004–05, the chickpea area in Myanmar was about 205,000 ha, with a production of 239,000 t, and average yield was 1,171 kg ha-1. Chickpea is grown under residual soil moisture in both lowland and upland conditions. In lowland areas, it is grown as a relay or sequential crop after rice (Oryza sativa), while in upland areas it is grown mostly on black soils (Vertisols) with a good water holding capacity after an early short-duration crop of sesame (Sesamum indicum), maize (Zea mays) or pulses or after fallow. Chickpea is also sown along the banks of Ayeyarwaddy River after the flood water recedes.