As upland farming systems in Myanmar such as shifting cultivation – functioning under customary land tenurial arrangements – remain outside the statutory definition of farmlands, they are legally perceived as wastelands subject to appropriation under various land-related legislations. This policy brief examines the challenges and opportunities in recognizing customary land tenure as a key driver for the inclusive development of upland communities in Myanmar. It suggests approaches for harmonizing customary land tenure with the statutory provisions recommended by the National Land Use Policy.