Investigating Capacities to Change Soil and Irrigation Practices in Vegetable Production in Two Provinces in Cambodia

Paper


Starasts, Ann, Ratana, Tech, Putheavy, Yin and Kay, Ratan. 2020. "Investigating Capacities to Change Soil and Irrigation Practices in Vegetable Production in Two Provinces in Cambodia." International Tropical Agriculture Conference 2019 (TropAg 2019). Brisbane, Australia 11 - 13 Nov 2019 Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019036210
Paper/Presentation Title

Investigating Capacities to Change Soil and Irrigation Practices in Vegetable Production in Two Provinces in Cambodia

Presentation TypePaper
AuthorsStarasts, Ann (Author), Ratana, Tech (Author), Putheavy, Yin (Author) and Kay, Ratan (Author)
Journal Citation36 (1), pp. 1-1
Article Number210
Number of Pages1
Year2020
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019036210
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttps://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/36/1/210
Conference/EventInternational Tropical Agriculture Conference 2019 (TropAg 2019)
Event Details
International Tropical Agriculture Conference 2019 (TropAg 2019)
Delivery
In person
Event Date
11 to end of 13 Nov 2019
Event Location
Brisbane, Australia
Abstract

Improving vegetable production in Cambodia offers a pathway to grow domestic consumption and exports, and improve nutrition, profits, and livelihoods. Interviews with 120 growers and 5 focus group discussions within 5 villages investigated growers’ capacity to change soil and irrigation management in their Chinese cabbage, Petsai, Cucumber, Cauliflower, Lettuce and other vegetable crops. Low or no profitability (34% participants), insect pests (59%) and dry periods (18%) were growers’ major limitations, with small farm size (0.08 ha) and limited schooling (21–36% had no schooling) contributing to the scenario. High cost of inputs is a limitation to making farming system changes, with most growers using their own funds and less than 10% borrowing funds to pay for crop inputs. Communication and planning for vegetable growing occurred almost exclusively within families (93%), with 7.5% of participants discussing with other farmers. Lack of time (43%) and knowledge about farmer group activities (30%) limited ongoing group learning opportunities. Although very traditional, 28% of participants had tried new practices; 42% of participants indicated they will try new practices after exposure to a soil and irrigation research trial. The participants were keen learners, and after exposure to the research, 58% believed that liming improves yields and 18% prefer to evaluate this on their farms. Information sources about vegetable growing are limited, and growers had complex information needs. Facilitating and mentoring ongoing local support and technical information networks, and enhancing capacity and communication are seen as key strategies for empowering long term ability to change.

Keywordstechnology adoption; Cambodia; agricultural extension; livelihoods research; vegetable production
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020300210. Sustainable agricultural development
300208. Farm management, rural management and agribusiness
Byline AffiliationsCentre for Agricultural Engineering
Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Cambodia
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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