Planting New Roots as Vegetable Growers
In 2017, Sophea and her family migrated from Svay Rieng Province in southern Cambodia to Mondulkiri Province in the east in search of better livelihood opportunities. Like many migrant families, they faced significant challenges adapting to a new environment with limited job opportunities.
To support their household, they rented a little over an acre of land to grow vegetables. However, due to limited knowledge of improved farming techniques, they struggled with high input costs, pest infestations, low yields, and inconsistent production. Despite taking loans from a local bank to reinvest in their farm, their income remained unstable. As financial pressure increased, their son was forced to drop out of school to help earn income for the family.
In October 2025, Sophea was selected to participate in the Cambodia Mondulkiri program with World Hope International. She received hands-on training in sustainable vegetable production, compost making, and natural pesticide preparation. She was also provided with quality seeds and essential farming materials, enabling her to immediately apply the new techniques on her farm.
After adopting the improved practices, Sophea experienced remarkable changes. Pest damage was minimized and the soil health was improved using organic inputs. As a result, her crop yields increased, and she now earns approximately $1,700 per production cycle—a substantial improvement compared to previous seasons.
“When we applied the techniques received from the training, we were able to reduce costs by 60%, increase yields and income, and improve our health through chemical-free vegetables.”
With her increased and more reliable income, Sophea is now able to support her children’s education and meet her family’s basic needs without relying on additional loans. She has also gained confidence in using chemical-free, climate-friendly farming practices, leading to better health outcomes for her family.
Looking ahead, Sophea plans to expand her vegetable production and is committed to sharing her knowledge with at least 20 other farmers in her village, contributing to wider community resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Cambodia Mondulkiri is led by World Hope International