ALiSEA in Cambodia collaborated with its members in Cambodia, including the TETARD project led by GRET, the Action for Development organization (AFD), and Agrisud International in Cambodia, to organize the Agroecological Journalists’ Tour in Siem Reap and Kampong Thom. This event was organized under the financial support of France through the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Hauts-de-Seine Department, the European Union (EU), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC),​ and the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD).

It was conducted from 24th to 26th April 2026. The program brought together approximately 28 journalists (8 women) from 20 institutions to learn more about agroecological practices and its links with healthy diets and safe food systems.

Over the three days, a total of 87 participants attended, including 46 women, among them representatives from ALiSEA, the GRET team, AFD, and Agrisud, as well as local authorities, community members, farmers, and youth participants.

This journalist tour was designed to enhance knowledge of local journalists on agroecology, promote local initiatives, strengthen partnerships among ALiSEA members, and connect journalists with key sources of information within the agroecological ecosystem. Moreover, this tour aimed to promote agroecological practices and increase the visibility of members to the public through the local media outlets.

DAY 1: From farm to plate: how agroecology can participate in building sustainable and safe local food system in Siem Reap Province

Journalists met with TETARD project staff from GRET to learn about best practices before visiting farms to observe how agroecological practices are implemented on the ground. During the tour, they explored how diversified farming improves nutrition by producing a variety of crops that support healthier and more balanced diets for communities.

In addition, journalists had the opportunity to interact directly with farmers, listening to their experiences, challenges, and motivations in adopting agroecological practices. They interviewed TETARD project staff supporting farmers and communities, commune agricultural officers, local authorities, a primary school director purchasing vegetables from the community in the framework of the Home Grown School Feeding Program, and health center staff from Siem Reap.

Besides that, journalists also learned about the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) implemented by ECOFARM Agriculture Cooperative, a community-based certification mechanism that strengthens trust between farmers and consumers. The visits highlighted the importance of local food systems in improving rural livelihoods and reducing dependency on external inputs.

Journalists capturing the story of Rice Husk Vinegar production process

DAY 2: Market for AE products and Processing

The journalists visited the weekly market taking place every weekend in Siem Reap city to meet sellers and consumers and better understand their perceptions of safe food products. They conducted direct interviews with representatives from the Provincial Department of Commerce, the Provincial Department of Agriculture, the Weekly Market Committee in charge of the Weekly Market, consumers, and market vendors to learn more about local demand and trust in safe local agricultural products.

Exploring agroforestry practices in Vanilla and Black Ginger cultivation

The tour traveled to Kulen Mountain to visit communities supported by Agrisud, where farmers practice agroforestry techniques for cultivating vanilla and black ginger. Journalists met with local farmers to learn how these crops are grown and processed to generate additional income and improve family livelihoods through the dried spice producers’ group in Khnang Phnom Kulen.

DAY 3: Youth Engagement in Agroecology (promote Youth initiatives)

The tour traveled to Kampong Thom to learn about youth-led agroecology initiatives. The team visited Sala Visay Commune in Prasat Balangk District to observe young people’s engagement in promoting agroecological transitions. Many of them are returnees from working abroad who have come back to their hometowns to take up farming as a way to generate income and support sustainable agriculture. The initiative was supported by the Action for Development organization in Kampong Thom. This event concluded after they met Young in Kampong Thom.

Journalists interviewed the youths who were in the Agroecology initiative