National: Cambodia
Title: ECo-WAYS: Empowering Communities, Women and Youth in Agroforestry for Sustainability
Link: https://flocambodia.org/
Summary:
FLO aims to revitalize an existing agroforestry model farm and implement agroecology practices at a community farm in neighboring Phnong and Kroul Indigenous villages in Kratie Province, Cambodia. The communities are currently struggling to maintain the farms due to limited training and a lack of ongoing technical support.
This project will empower women and youth to take leadership roles in managing the farms, engaging them in agroecological practices to renew their interest in farming. Participants will receive hands-on training, attend workshops, and benefit from monthly technical support from FLO.
The farms will serve as a testing ground for agroforestry techniques suited to the local context, with the goal of scaling these practices to other villages in future projects. Additionally, the project will foster knowledge-sharing between the two villages, promoting collaboration and sustainable practices. By building local capacity, FLO seeks to enhance food security, climate resilience, and income diversification in vulnerable communities.
Location: The villages of Ou Kak and Rovieng communities, in Kratié Province
Duration: 18 months
Activities:
1: Establish the model farms
1.1. Inception/ on-boarding session: Identify interested participants and assess needs and challenges in the Okak and Rovieng agroforestry farms.
1.2. Land preparation: Clear and prepare the designated land for planting, incorporating organic matter to improve soil fertility.
1.3. Species selection session: Gather the community to choose a diverse mix of tree species, prioritize native and drought-resistant species.
1.4. Agroforestry farm plan: Establish a map of the Agroforestry model farm and an annual plan for crop rotation, maintenance, harvesting, responsibilities and benefits distribution among members.
1.5. Planting session: Establish the agroforestry system by planting the selected tree species and annual crops in an optimized spatial arrangement to maximize productivity and ecosystem benefits.
1.6. Maintenance: Regularly maintain the model farms through weeding, mulching, pruning, and pest management to ensure the healthy growth of the trees and crops.
2: Capacity Building Workshops
2.1. Agroecology / Agroforestry practices training sessions: Conduct 2 hands-on training workshops on sustainable farming techniques such as mulching, intercropping, soil conservation, and integrated pest management.
2.2. Nursery management: Train participants in establishing and managing seedlings and tree nurseries to produce high-quality seedlings for the model farms and future replication efforts.
3: Knowledge Sharing Events
3.1. Inter-village exchanges: Organize 2 field visits and learning exchanges between the two villages to allow participants to share experiences, best practices, and lessons learned from the agroforestry model farms.
3.2. Community dialogues: Host 2 community dialogues to discuss the progress, challenges, and future plans for the agroforestry model farms, ensuring transparency and inclusive decision-making.
3.3. ALiSEA member exchange workshops: Invite 6 community members to participate in a farm visit or ALiSEA partner event to promote good practice exchanges
4: Promote Replication of Agroforestry Practices: Develop a comprehensive case study, 1 video about the establishment of the agroforestry farms, and Facebook communication campaign.
Document: The documents will be shared when they are ready or during the implementation of activities, as appropriate.
Budget granted by ALiSEA: 17,825.11 EUR