Kampong Speu (August 13, 2014) – Twenty five delegates from inter-institution today conducted a study visit to one of LWD’s program areas in Kampong Speu province to learn about the organization and functioning of agricultural cooperative and portable water system project in rural Cambodia.
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The study visit, which was part of the action plan from the 4th National Farmer Forum (NFF4) held last year in Phnom Penh, aimed to follow up on major actions committed by the Royal Government, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and farmers during the 4th NFF. The visit also aimed to better understand the real practice and challenges of farmers and other related implementing agencies, as well as building close relationship between the CSOs, farmers and the government.
The delegation was led by H.E Rath Virak, Chairman of National Trainer Pool on FSN, Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD).
The visit mainly focused on agricultural activity and crop plantation techniques at community and household levels in the climate change conditions. Information collected from the visit would be used as inputs for the preparation of the 5th NFF which is scheduled for October this year, according to H.E Rath Virak.
The delegates would spend 3 days for the visit. On the first day, in the morning, the delegates met with farmers and members of agriculture cooperative and women group in Keammoni village, Rung Roeung commune in Thpong district of Kampong Speu and met with the Water Use and Management Committee in Prambeimom commune of the same district in the afternoon. Then, the delegates continued their trip to Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces where they would visit projects of CARITAS and the Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
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H.E Rath Virak said he supported LWD that played a key role in facilitating the establishment of agriculture cooperatives (AC) in its target areas. He appreciated some significant achievements made by the AC of the commune over a short-term period and suggested that the AC should be expanded and improved in terms of increasing shares, diversifying business activities and further strengthening the capacity of AC Committee, as well as seeking more support from key actors to provide vocational training to farmers in their region.
The delegation is comprised of representatives from CARD, National Committee for Disaster Management, LWD, CARITAS, NGO Forum and farmers, and Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Water Resource and Meteorology, Environment, and Women’s Affairs.