Focusing on Community
Mr. Chhea is a friendly, honest, hardworking, patient, humble person, well-respected by his neighbors and fellow producer group members. Before joining the group, Mr. Chhea had limited agricultural knowledge and practiced farming on a small scale at home, mainly for family consumption. His parents had done the same, growing just enough to eat with little market involvement or community engagement.
Local partner KADRA invited him to join capacity-building training on planting techniques, composting, and organic fertilizer production. All this got Mr. Chhea interested in natural farming methods. Due to his demonstrated commitment, he was given opportunities to participate in study tours, producer group networking, local product exhibitions, monthly meetings, and additional training in processing and packaging.
These experiences enhanced his knowledge and changed his attitude toward community development, leading him to realize that it benefits everyone and is a shared responsibility. He began to teach his agricultural skills to neighbors, demonstrated how to raise poultry, fish, and ducks, promoted environmental hygiene, and encouraged youth and women to engage in farming.
Mr. Chhea encouraged farmer group members to work together and to become great producers and valuable community assets. He emphasized that farmer groups should be open and welcoming. Mr. Chhea appreciated how KADRA established and facilitated farmer groups, leadership structures like cooperatives and networks, and the community learning hub. He valued the chance to build production capacity within the community and to instill courage, knowledge, responsibility, and ownership of action in community development.
He requested that KADRA continue offering training and capacity building to cooperatives and farmer groups. In true Mr. Chhea fashion, at a recent gathering he wished KADRA and their donors longevity, prosperity, health, strength, happiness, and success in all their endeavors.
Cambodia South Program
Led by World Renew and Local Partner Khmer Angka for Development of Rural Areas (KADRA)