Cambodia South
$45,247 needed of $81,743
Implementing Organization
World Renew
Program Summary
In the Cambodia South Program, World Renew and local partners are building on lessons learned and achievements from previous program phases to focus efforts on making markets work for the poor. Reliable market access boosts productivity, increases incomes and strengthens food security. When appropriate measures are taken to reduce market risks and unequal market power, increased access to markets can reduce poverty and hunger for smallholder farming households in rural communities.
The goal of this program is for smallholder farmers in rural Cambodia to experience improved food security, higher and more stable incomes, and stronger climate resilience.
Program activities include:
- Increasing the diversity of farm production including animal husbandry and vegetable farming
- Improving value chain development and market linkages
- Enhancing climate resilient practices (like composting, natural pesticides and water-conservation techniques)
- Strengthening community leadership and governance by establishing Commune Based organizations that can work effectively with local authorities
- Increasing Women’s participation in community leadership
Touch's Story - Cambodia South Program
Sokha's Story - Cambodia South Program
Success Stories
Bold Steps Boost Family Income
Today, Chinteang is a successful small business owner and holds leadership positions as secretary of her savings group and as an elected member of the local commune-based organization. But it hasn’t always been this way.
Chinteang and Voeun and have four children. Before OREDA came to their community, their livelihood depended on traditional rice farming, small-scale crop cultivation, and animal raising, supplemented by Voeun’s income from a nearby cement factory. Despite their hard work, their combined earnings weren’t enough to cover daily expenses, particularly the high cost of sending children to school.
Hoping to improve their situation, Chinteang tried raising poultry and maintaining a small garden. However, limited technical knowledge led to frequent losses. Her chickens and ducks often fell sick from a variety of diseases. Her crops suffered from pest infestations, leaving her with minimal yields. She considered migrating, but was concerned about leaving her children, home and farm behind
In 2022, she joined the program. Eager to learn and improve her family’s prospects, Chinteang joined the producer group. With the encouragement of OREDA staff, she ran for and was elected to the commune-based organization. She participated in numerous learning opportunities, including training in chicken raising, family financial management, communication and peacebuilding, safe migration and anti-human trafficking, leadership, food processing and packaging, savings group management, value chain development, and business planning, as well as exchange visits to successful local agribusinesses.
These experiences inspired her to rethink her family’s financial approach and take bold new steps. She launched two small businesses: a mobile vegetable and food stall, and a home-based mobile manicure service. Together, these ventures now generate a steady monthly income of $50-75. She also set up an elevated, flood-free area for raising poultry, providing her household with food and an additional income of $25-50 per month. With improved financial literacy, she now saves regularly, depositing $5 each month with her savings group.
Looking ahead, Chinteang envisions expanding her small businesses and ensuring her children continue their education. She remains committed to sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.
Cambodia South is led by World Renew and local partner Occupation of Rural Economic Development and Agriculture (OREDA)