Impacts of Pesticides use on Agriculture and Environment 18th and 19th March, 2019 in Cambodia

Introduction

Rural Connections project aims to improve the information available to these populations – and to young people in particular – in the areas of agriculture and sustainable development by improving the capacity of journalists and journalism students to cover such topics and by promoting the production and dissemination of content, especially via radio stations, online videos and social media. This project implemented in Cambodia is funded by CFI Media Development for a duration of 24 months (September 2018 to August 2020).

Revamped and better-quality information will serve to provide young people living in rural areas with new prospects within their communities, in particular by encouraging the development of emerging initiatives in agroecology, a promising avenue in terms of income, health and autonomy.

In the frame of the Rural Connections project, GRET and Mediaseeds will organize a series of several events and field-days which will be covered and relayed by local and national media around topics related to agriculture and rural development. The event was first held on 18^th & 19^th March 2019 at Phnom Penh and Kandal. The main theme was the impact of pesticides use on agriculture and environment.

The objectives of the event are:

(1) to raise awareness on pesticide uses and its impacts on agricultural sector,

(2) to encourage knowledge and experience sharing on pesticides uses,

(3) to facilitate connections between journalists and experts, farmers.

Participants:

Local and national media, research centers, universities and NGOs

The agenda is available here

The presentations can be accessed here:

• From general issues around pesticides to local consumer’s perceptions in Cambodia, Mrs Eve Bureau-Point (CNRS)
• Pesticide Residues in Surface Water, Sediment and, Fish from Chnok Tru Floating Community of Tonle Sap Lake, Mrs. PHAT Chanvorleak, PhD (Institute of Technology of Cambodia)
• Pesticides use in agriculture in North-west Cambodia, Mr. Pok Panha (University of Battambang)
• Experience with AC on collective sales of organic product, Mrs Ayumi Matsuura (IVY)
• Organic production and certification in Cambodia, Mrs Ayumi Matsuura (COrAA)
• Video on what is organic agriculture?

Press articles

Thmey Thmey:

1. Experts have discovered toxins from chemical pesticides in surface water and fish in Tonle Sap River
2. Unfollow indication of pesticide used, growers and consumers get sick immediately.

Phnom penh Post:

3. Farmers urged to rethink chemical use

WMC:

4. Agricultural researcher shown the impact of pesticide on vegetable
5. WMC Face book broadcasting

RFI:

6. Agriculture researcher said, some farmers didn’t follow the instruction on pesticide use when they apply on their crop

Vayo FM radio:

7. Cambodia, pesticide use on agriculture continue to increase

Khmer Times:

8. Researchers warn of toxic chemicals

VOD:

9. Researcher found chemical residues in water, Sediment and, Fish from Chnok Tru Floating Community of Tonle Sap Lake