The doctor is out and about

It was a long journey indeed for this medical doctor turned secretary general of the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders’ Association (MRPTA) to realize his true calling. As diverse as these disciplines are, one thing remains constant—Dr. Myo Aung Kyaw’s concern for people, especially the poor.

He received his medical degree in 1984 and opened his own clinic in 1985 in his hometown in Pathein, Ayeyar-
waddy Division (in Myanmar, a division refers to a province or state). Around 250 patients sought his care every day, 30% free of charge (including monks and other religious people, and the poor and old patients), and his clinic turned into a small hospital. “I was like a robot and had no time to rest, no time to spend with my family, even to take care of my parents when they became ill,” narrates Dr. Kyaw. That was the time he began thinking of shifting from private practice to government service, and pursuing his dream of becoming a surgeon.

So he worked under the government’s Ministry of Health from 1990 to 1997, and, although he planned to take clinical subjects, he was assigned to handle administrative matters such as promotion and transfer of employees, budgets, and training. In 1994, he received his diploma in management and administration at the Yangon Institute of Economics.

While working in the government, his father’s health worsened and he had to take over two rice mills of medium-scale capacity in Pathein. He opened a wholesale market center in Yangon in 1995. It was in 1997 when the former chair of the MRPTA approached Dr. Kyaw during a rice-trading affair and invited him to become a member. He accepted, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now, Dr. Kyaw is the secretary general of the orga-
nization, and he finds fulfillment in his pursuit to uplift the livelihood of poor farmers. “The MRPTA’s mission is to create a fair and free rice market trading environment not only locally but also with export markets that is in line with government policy,” he explains. “We aim to help rice producers increase their trading volume of rice and rice products, and we take part in implementing government economic policy guidelines by cooperating with government agencies and nongovernment organizations.”

Part of Dr. Kyaw’s duties include conducting training and seminars on postharvest technologies for farmers and private entrepreneurs. In early February, the MRPTA sponsored a seminar on rice production technology in Nat Ta Lin, West Bago, with the Thit Cho Government Seed Farm of the Myanma Agricultural Services. In March, Dr. Kyaw went to Mandalay, the upper part of Myanmar, to present a seminar on postharvest and grain-drying technology. He also recently gave a lecture on commercial dryers in May in Ayeyarwaddy, Bago, Mandalay, and Yangon divisions.

Although his tasks are demanding, they aren’t as time-consuming as when he was still working round the clock as a doctor. He now has time for his family and for hobbies such as gardening, traveling, photography, reading, and meditating. A certified homebody, Dr. Kyaw recounts a summer holiday that didn’t go quite as planned. “My family planned to go to the beach for 4 days, to go swimming and play football. But, after one night, we got bored and decided to go home. We were happier at home,” he recalls fondly.

This big Buddha statue is found at Bawdi Thousand, Monywa, Myanmar. (Photo by Dr. Myo Aung Kyaw)

His plans for MRPTA, though, are on track and unswayable. He envisions more capacity building among farmers, millers, and traders by providing them with training, and developing postproduction technologies in grain drying, seed storage, milling, and more. This dream entails the full support and cooperation of the organization members. “Life does begin after 40,” Dr. Kyaw says in hindsight. “Before I turned 40, I always considered things from my point of view only, but that changed. We might have difficulties and unforeseeable things along our path, but I believe we can overcome them with compassion, goodwill, and efforts and sacrifices.” He may not be practicing medicine any more, but many more farmers all over Myanmar are benefiting from his genuine kindness and sincerity to help those in need.

Trina Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar.org)

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