In an effort to stimulate the economy, the Myanmar government embarked upon its first four-year economic plan in 1992. The key emphasis of the plan would be the development of the agriculture, livestock and fishery sectors. There would also be efforts to boost the mining and manufacturing sectors. This would, however, depends largely on the performance of the agriculture sector. 100.0 Agriculture Agriculture is the mainstay of Myanmar's economy, accounting for 50 percent of the GDP and employing about 70 percent of the working population.
Rice is the staple crop and the second largest export commodity, after teak.
Other important crops are sugar cane, groundnuts, sesame, wheat, maize, millet,jute, cotton, beans, pulses and oilseeds, vegetables, rubber, toddy palm, tobacco, spices and other edible produce. The fishing sector is also important. It includes the production of prawns, fresh water fish, carps, aquacultural and marine fishery products. The principal industrial activities are mainly related to agriculture, such as food processing and the manufacture of tobacco products. The other important industries include wood-based industries, beverages, clothing and wearing apparels, jewellery, metal, pharmaceutical and household goods, paper and chemical, cement, animal feed, iron and steel products, plywood, veneer, sawn timber, machinery and equipment.