Reductions in poverty and improvements in food security are important issues for farmers and agricultural regions in Cambodia. In this paper we relate our approach and experience working in upland areas of Battambang Province to improve agricultural, environmental and social outcomes for farm families and villagers. Small farm sizes and observed low levels of agricultural productivity exacerbate poverty and food insecurity. We have approached this challenge by first investigating and demonstrating new agricultural methods (or technologies) in a farming systems context, through developing a network of farm trials and demonstrations. To this is added activity in contextual economic and social assessment of new versus old farming methods and management, with the objective of farmer adoption of improved methods and associated increases in farm family incomes. We have formed Crop Profit Groups of local farmers to assess the economic costs and benefits of changed management in the main cash crops of maize and soybean. We have also investigated marketing and value-chain issues since these affect upland farmers in important ways. Our approach has been to bring expertise to each situation and adopt a co-learning approach with local farmers, government officials and NGOs. Education and capacity-building of Cambodian collaborators has been an important part of the work. While our work is not yet finished we have found a genuine willingness by the Cambodian farmers to consider new 'ways of doing things' and be involved in assessing their own incentives to change. A variety of approaches are used in training and capacity building of the local researchers and officials. There seem to be substantial economic incentives to change some farming practices, but issues of farm input supply availability, markets and prices received for farm produce, transport costs and infrastructure appear to constrain improved farm and regional outcomes.

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.

Cambodia has achieved food security with respect to rice production and now has an opportunity to pay more attention to boosting production of upland crops such as maize (corn), soybean, sesame, mungbean, cassava, peanut and cowpea. While rice remains the main crop in Cambodia, the production of other crops is undergoing a rapid expansion and will be especially important for the development of those parts of the Kingdom unsuited to lowland rice. We present results from socio-economic surveys carried out in the Battambang, Kampong Cham and Takeo Provinces to identify available resources, management practices and key constraints for emerging upland cropping systems. These are mainly cash crops, so the important issues to consider are profitability, technological and management changes, and household and social issues. The surveys were conducted in the Districts of Kamrieng, Sampov Lun, Rotonak Mondol and Banan in Battambang Province, Chamkar Leu, Ou Reang Ov and Tbong Khmum in Kampong Cham Province, and Tramkak in Takeo Province. Sample sizes were 181 in Battambang and Kampong Cham, and 50 in Takeo. Generally farm families had a male head aged in the mid-40s, with 3 to 4 years of schooling. However, there are significant numbers of female farmers among survey respondents. Family size averaged 5 to 6 persons; with 2 to 3 being dependents and levels of off-farm work very low. Average farm size was 2 to 8 ha, and capital items owned included draft animals, ox carts and mouldboard ploughs, as well as tractors and disc ploughs in some areas. The main reasons given for not growing crops were poor yield performance, lack of knowledge (especially about insects), concerns about profitability, land/soil constraints, labour/equipment issues, and agronomic and climate risk (including drought). These results point to the need for focused research on new technologies and management as they affect crop yields and profits, and for increased extension of this information to Cambodian farmers.

In upland areas during the rainy season, farmers generally attempt to grow several upland crops including maize, sesame, mungbean, soybean, peanut and cowpea. The first is planted in March-April and the second in July-August. Farmer workshops have provided us with a better understanding of traditional practices and problems associated with growing and marketing upland crops in Cambodia. The most commonly given reason for growing a crop is good market demand. High price for the product and ease of production are of equal importance. Low cost of seeds or inputs and medium or high yield potential are also important. Short duration is an important consideration for early wet season crops. The most commonly given reason for not growing the crop is damage from insect pests, followed by risk of crop failure, drought or natural disaster, and high cost of seed and other inputs. From the above observations, the following priorities for further research have been prioritized.