Crop Profit Groups and Farmer Participation in Research: Some Experiences from Cambodian Upland Regions
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.
The 'Jorani Project': Incorporating Principles of Sustainable Rural Development into the Education System of Cambodia
An illustrated children's book "Jorani and the Green Vegetable Bugs" has been published in Khmer language to teach children and teachers in rural areas about integrated pest management (IPM) in upland crops and the positive impacts on the environment and human health in Cambodia. The project involves introducing the Jorani Project to school directors and teachers; development of a teacher guide; implementation in schools; and celebration and public launch. Further books in the series are planned to teach the benefits of other sustainable land management practices. The project targets five primary schools in northwestern Cambodia in the district of Samlout in Battambang Province where the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) is working to strengthen primary education for all school-aged boys and girls. The potential to achieve the stated agricultural extension and primary education objectives will be evaluated after completion of the pilot project. Social network analysis will be used to test the effectiveness of the proposed learning environment model. Depending on the findings, a Life Skills framework for rural primary schools will presented to the MoEYS for endorsement and roll-out to primary schools in other Districts and Provinces in Cambodia.