Modern community farms ready for pilot programme
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is set to pilot its “modern agricultural community” programme in two districts in Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom provinces. The initiative will focus on rice, cashews and pepper, aiming to empower cooperatives with standardised farming practices for supply and market stability.
The modern farming communities will be well-managed, possess ample human resources and budget, employ proper production techniques, maintain low production costs, and ensure the production of high-quality agricultural products. The ministry’s concept plan outlines specific production strategies to meet market demand and distribute dividends equitably among community members.
Encouraging farmers across provinces to embrace modern techniques, Khim Finan, the ministry’s spokesperson, highlighted the emphasis on regulating product quality, reducing costs, and stabilising supply volumes to enhance competitiveness in the local market.
In this type of farming community, the ministry promotes the use of land or plantations as capital, aiming for an inclusive and fair distribution of dividends while discouraging reliance on investments for funding.
“Encouraging farmers to contribute funds resembles initiating a joint venture. Our aim is to support those committed to consistent farming, fostering collaboration in production and joint sales for mutual gain,” Finan says.
Expansion plans
The ministry initiated the pilot phase in select provinces, concentrating on crops like vegetables, rice, cashews and pepper. The project will soon extend beyond Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom with Battambang launching a similar venture.
In collaboration with Wing Bank, the ministry has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with the former depositing $5 million for low-interest loans with 7-8 per cent per annum rates to farming communities without collateral requirements.
Experienced community farmer Sout Tha said he is eager to participate in the pilot programme. Now 60, he is a member of Sambo Meanchey Farming Cooperative in Kampong Cham province, having operated “successfully” since 2010.
The community cultivates rice, rubber, cashews, bananas, pineapples, various leafy vegetables and lemongrass on land covering over 2,000ha, and has recently acquired another 13ha. Their adept agricultural production, including selling rice seeds, led the ministry to select them for the pilot programme, starting with the newly acquired 13ha.
Tha shared that his harvested produce from his 5ha farm yields over 1 million riel ($250) in monthly profits. He said he is very pleased with the ministry’s assistance to incorporate the Sambo Meanchey cooperative into its modern agriculture programme.
“This collaborative farming approach is advantageous as the ministry ensures a stable market and provides loans to the community for capital. Notably, no land is used as collateral, given the community’s joint ownership of the 13ha for the pilot programme. Farming activities will be solely conducted on this collectively acquired land,” he said.
Market assurance
Tha Sok Heang, another member of Sambo Meanchey, said the pilot programme has alleviated concerns among community members regarding market uncertainties.
“The ministry offers a loan to the community, encouraging collaborative efforts on the 13ha land,” said the 45-year-old.
Sambo Meanchey has embraced its role as a pilot modern agricultural community, investing approximately $700,000 in the 13ha. The initiative includes establishing over 100 net houses and forming strategic partnerships for vegetable sales. Funding for the project is a combination of community capital and a loan from the ministry.
Sambo Meanchey chief Chheng Thong shared that the community comprises nearly 2,000 farming households. Of the aforementioned products, they deliver over three tonnes of lemongrass regularly to the local market. Its new co-op for the ministry’s pilot programme, comprised of existing members, is set to commence vegetable cultivation on the 13ha of land in May 2024, starting with bok choy, as per order of a local firm.
“The success of our innovative agricultural community relies on robust ministry support and an established market. Essentially, the ministry plays a pivotal role, providing comprehensive assistance, ensuring our farmers can thrive,” Thong says.