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Enhancing Livelihoods: Mushroom Cultivation Practices and Challenges of Smallholder Farmers in Svay Rieng and Svay Chrum Districts, Cambodia Chanthan Or; Putheasath Sin; Chhun Hong; Vanchey Ros; Tithya Kang; Dina Pen; Mardy Serey
Indonesian Journal of Community Engagement Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): (January) Indonesian Journal of Community Engagement
Publisher : PT. Altaf Publishing Corp

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.70895/ijce.v1i2.20

Abstract

Smallholder farmers in Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia, play a crucial role in the country's agricultural sector, particularly in mushroom cultivation. Despite facing numerous challenges such as limited access to resources, climate change, and market uncertainties, these farmers contribute significantly to the national food security. This study aims to explore the technical knowledge, technical adaptation and practices of mushroom growing, and to analyze the economic efficiency of mushroom growing of smallholder farmers in Svay Rieng and Svay Chrum districts, Svay Rieng province, Cambodia. Eight farmers in three target villages were selected for household surveys (four farmers were the target and others four are non-target). Two types of mushroom were selected to grow by farmers, which are Straw and Oyster Mushroom. Fifty percent of farmers (both target and non-target) experienced in mushroom growing for more than five years and all of target farmers received technical training on mushroom growing from HEQCIP Project while only half of the non-target farmers used to get training from Government project (Provincial Department of Agriculture). At the same time, only one half of interviewed farmers share their technical knowledge and experiences on mushroom growing with their relatives, neighbors, and other farmers in their communities. All farmers apply mushroom growing techniques provided by the project together with their experiences and local knowledge. Even farmers in the targeted communities used natural fertilizers in mushroom growing, but 50% of them still used chemical fertilizers. It is interesting that all farmers sprayed jungle white before start growing, except 25% of the straw mushroom targeted farmers do not do that. The average profits for a targeted farmer gained from mushroom growing per production cycle is 600,250 Riels which is equal to 180% compared with expenses; or 60% compare with the total incomes while the non-targeted farmers profit is about 110% (504,250 Riels) compared with the expense; or 50% compared with the incomes. Even though the profit percentage from mushroom growing is higher than vegetable cultivation, but only 25% of the target and 50% of the non-target farmers who indicated their livelihood have improved a lot while the rest mentioned little improvement. This is because 50% of targeted and 75% of non-targeted farmers used incomes from mushroom production to repay their loan.
Economic Analysis and Livelihood Improvement Strategies for Vegetable Cultivators in Svay Rieng and Svay Chrum Districts, Cambodia Chanthan Or; Putheasath Sin; Chhun Hong; Vanchey Ros; Tithya Kang; Dina Pen; Mardy Serey; Hendra Prasetyo; Sri Maryati
Indonesian Journal of Community Engagement Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): (May) Indonesian Journal of Community Engagement
Publisher : PT. Altaf Publishing Corp

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.70895/ijce.v1i3.63

Abstract

Smallholder farmers in Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia, play a crucial role in the country's agricultural sector, particularly in vegetable production. Despite facing numerous challenges such as limited access to resources, climate change, and market uncertainties, these farmers contribute significantly to the national food security. This study aims to explore the technical knowledge, technical adaptation and practices of vegetable cultivation, and to analyze the economic efficiency of vegetable cultivation of farmers in Svay Rieng and Svay Chrum districts, Svay Rieng province, Cambodia. The household survey was conducted on 92 farmers in ten target communities, with at least three types of vegetables planted by each household. The result revealed that nearly two-thirds of farmers have over nine years of experience in vegetable cultivation, with most receiving technical training from the HEQCIP Project team. Nearly 70% of non-target farmers received training from government agencies and NGOs. A high percentage of survey farmers (90% target farmers and 75% non-target farmers) share their technical knowledge and experiences on vegetable cultivation with their relatives, neighbors, and other farmers in their communities. At least three different types of vegetables were planted by each household in target communities, including onion leaf, cucumber, wax gourd, gourd, cabbage, luffa gourd, herbs, morning glory, eggplant, pumpkin, spiny, and long-bean. The percentage of farmers who applied techniques provided by the project to integrate with their experiences was high (76% target farmers and 52% non-target farmers). However, only 17% target and 11% non-target farmers adapted the full technical packages provided by the project. The survey found that 75% of target and 50% non-target farmers improved their livelihood status, with 50% using their incomes from vegetable selling for income generation activities, 80% for purchasing household materials and equipment, and 10% for repaying in-debts.