Abstract

• Lashio, one of the townships of Northern Shan State, is located along Mandalay Muse Road. It is composed of twelve wards and 75 village tracts including 490 village tracts. Like other places of Myanmar, its economy mainly based on agriculture activities. Major crops grown in this township are paddy, maize, groundnut and beans etc. This paper mainly stresses on maize cultivation. In the study area, maize cultivation has boomed up since last 15 years. In 2021-22 the area under maize cultivation was 27,252.93 hectares (67,342 acres) represent 47.15 percent of the total agricultural land. The aim of this paper is to study net economic return of maize cultivation supporting the economy of cultivators in Lashio Township. The objectives are to investigate the favourable conditions for maize cultivation, to examine spatial distribution of maize cultivation and to explore strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of maize cultivation in Lashio Township. Primary data and secondary data were applied in this research paper. Primary data were acquired through field observation, informal talks and discussion with farmers and the responsible persons of the departments concerned. Secondary data such as climatic data, maize cultivated area, productivity and population were derived from the department concerned. Cost-benefit analysis and SWOT analysis were applied in presenting the paper.