This policy brief, building on research conducted by the Land Core Group (LCG) [3], describes the maize contract farming scheme being implemented by Chareoun Phokphand (hereafter CP Group for the company, and CP for their maize product) in North and South Shan State. As CP’s system is one of the longest contract farming schemes running in Burma, it provides a unique opportunity for longitudinal analysis. The brief discusses both the potential benefits for smallholders and the many negative socio-economic impacts of the program; it also compares how companies grow maize in other countries in the region. The brief concludes with discussion of the measures that must be taken by the Government of Myanmar to ensure company operations investing in smallholder production systems are fair and deliver benefits for, whilst also protecting the rights of, vulnerable smallholders.