Final Report: Farming systems research for crop diversification in Cambodia and Australia
This project (ASEM/2000/109 - Farming systems research for crop diversification in Cambodia and Australia) has been a collaborative effort of researchers at the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). The Cambodian priority was to increase focus on non-rice upland crops for the purpose of poverty reduction. Crop intensification and diversification were priorities for CARDI research. The Australian priority was to examine cultural and crop choice dimensions for crops other than wheat in northern NSW. The parallels in these priorities allowed a common theme of activities in each country which could be serviced by the project team. Specific objectives of the project were to: 1. Identify and overcome constraints to the adoption of non-rice upland crops in Cambodia and non-cereal crops in north-eastern Australia by analysis of on-farm data and experimentation 2. Develop simple diagnostic and analysis tools that farmers and advisers can use to monitor the performance of their crops and how they fit into the farming system 3. Produce appropriately packaged technical and financial information. In Cambodia, a total of 153 on-farm experiments and demonstrations were conducted between 2004 and 2006: variety evaluation (43); insect pest and disease (19); reduced tillage (22); agronomy & farming systems (69). This work has impacted significantly on the CARDI approach to research in the uplands. A significant response to inoculation of rhizobium on legumes was identified during the Project research, and rhizobium inoculation techniques have been demonstrated to advisers in Cambodia. A rapid soil nitrate test has also been demonstrated to advisers and tested on 100 on-farm sites in Cambodia. Field guides were produced for insect pest and weed identification in upland crops as well as Field Crop Manuals for soybean and maize in Cambodia. A 60 page book was also produced on gross margin analyses and general marketing information for the 6 focus crops in Cambodia is under preparation. This information could potentially impact on the economic improvement of on-farm profitability leading to poverty reduction.
Insects of upland crops in Cambodia
Crops are subject to attack from a wide range of insect species in the wet tropical environment of Cambodia, resulting in extensive damage and economic losses. This illustrated field guide will assist with the identification of the major insect pests of the main upland crops in Cambodia - cowpea, maize, mung bean, peanut, sesame and soybean. However, not all insects found in the crops are pests; some insects and spiders play a significant role in keeping the insect pests under control. The guide provides a brief description of insect pests and the damage they cause, as well as information on a range of beneficial insects and spiders that can be found in upland crops in Cambodia. The impact of beneficial insects can be increased by integrated pest management and careful use of pesticides.
A guide to upland cropping in Cambodia: soybean
Soybean ('Glycine max') is a tropical legume that can be grown on many soil types under a wide range of climatic conditions. It is a native of eastern Asia and originally grew wild in China, Manchuria, Korea and Japan. This manual outlines how to grow soybean successfully in Cambodia under rainfed upland conditions. Soybean production in Cambodia has been growing steadily since 1980 (Figure 1) and exceeded 100,000 tonnes per year in 2005. The main soybean production area for the past 30 years has been the province of Kampong Cham. However, in recent years, soybean production has increased in north-western Cambodia, especially in the province of Battambang. Soybean is also grown in other provinces, including Siem Reap, Kandal and Takeo. Soybean is usually grown in the main wet season, and the crop fits well in an upland rotation in combination with maize, sesame and peanut. The roots of legume crops such as soybean have nodules formed by rhizobium bacteria ('Bradyrhizobium' spp.), which obtain nitrogen from the atmosphere; this nitrogen becomes available to both the soybean and following crops. Rhizobia are not always present in the soil and may need to be added to the seed at sowing time (see Section 8).