Teaching new farming techniques in Cambodia

The Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS), along with local partner Life With Dignity (LWD), is helping farmers in Cambodia learn new techniques to increase their yield.

When LWD staff came to his village to promote a new farming system, subsistence farmer Sok Soth and his wife Phorn Kong Kea saw an opportunity to grow.

Mr Soth had been growing vegetables with traditional farming methods, but was challenged with small yields, insects destroying his crops, and plants not growing to full size. He was unable to provide enough to eat for his family of four.

In May 2017, Mr Soth went with LWD and other local farmers to visit successful farms in another province where he learnt about new farming techniques and how to apply them.

After returning home, the group of farmers used start up funds from LWD (around $270) and their own pooled savings (around $325) to buy plastic, tubes, fertilizer and seeds. They group continued to meet every week to share what they were learning.

In mid-August, Mr Soth planted his first cucumbers, applying his newly-learned skills – and by mid-September, the first harvest of 7kg of cucumbers were ready.  The whole year’s yield was double the size of previous years.

Now, they are confident in earning a regular income. Mr Soth says, “If our farming business continues, our living condition will get better and better. I would like to express thanks for supporting my family.”

ALWS is supported through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program.

Original source: Australian Government DAFT
Published on 10 October 2018