"U Hla Kyaw, deputy minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, told the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) on Monday that more than 1.8 million people would benefit from the projects funded by the loan. Most of the projects would be labour intensive and would directly benefit people in villages. “The villagers will participate in rural development, the incomes of rural families will increase, and their living standard will be higher,” he said, adding that the projects will help rural people better withstand natural disasters. The ADB loan will form part of the $244.95 million in rural development projects that the government is currently implementing. A portion of the project is funded by the European Union and the Japanese government. U Hla Kyaw said 70 percent of the projects will involve the direct participation of villagers. “The public approach development method will be used,” said U Hla Kyaw, adding that some 1395 local youths will be appointed public organisers..."