A project to encourage villagers to grow their own organic food supply and increase their family income, has been a huge success, Caritas Cambodia says.

“Global warming is causing problems in agricultural production in many areas … Planting vegetables in their gardens provides food security,” said Chai Meng, Caritas’ community empowerment program manager in Kandal province.

The social service arm of the local Catholic Church launched its Home Vegetable Garden project at the start of this year in Kandal Stueng, south of the capital.

So far 19 families are involved in the program, in which Caritas provides technical and financial support, Meng said. Each family’s vegetable plot can measure up to 100 square meters, depending on the amount of land they have. “Many kinds of vegetables such as wax melon, long beans and cabbage are being grown,” Meng said.

Not only can they eat what they grow, they are boosting their income by selling the produce as well, he said. “Their produce is sold in villages and some markets in Phnom Penh and many people are buying them.”

Caritas advises on the proper seeds to use and provides each family with US$25 – US$50 with which to start their vegetable garden.

“We encourage the use of organic fertilizers like compost and natural insecticides,” said Chab Rosekdey, a Caritas official.

“My family’s living standards have improved so much. We have organic vegetables to eat, which do not damage our health,” said Klot Sareth, a 35-year-old villager.

The program has also seen a fewer people migrating to Phnom Penh to look for work, which reduces the risk of human trafficking, Meng said.

Caritas is now planning to help villagers expand the production of organic vegetables on a more commercial scale, he said.

Related reports
Caritas helps Cambodia tackle climate change
Rice bank helps poor families

CA10948.1616