A Safe Vegetable Growers Group in the Svaymeanchey Satrey Samaki Agricultural Cooperative
Type: Approaches
Creation: 2017-10-13 04:27 Updated: 2018-09-11 16:23
Compilers: Navin Chea
Reviewers: SO Than, Nicole Harari
Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
- Country: Cambodia
- Region/ State/ Province: KraSangPul Village, Svay Commune, SameakkiMeanchey District, Kampong Chhnang Province.
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Potential area of vegetable production.
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Approach
Short description of the Approach
The safe vegetable growers group was formed by farmers on a voluntary basis and is part of an Agricultural Cooperative. It supports the selling of products through an organized group to buyers. The producers and the buyers have to sign a contract as the main agreement and with set principles. The main principle is to grow vegetables with a standardized application of chemicals and pesticides to ensure the safety of both producers and consumers.
Detailed description of the Approach
The Svaymeanchey Satrey Samaki Agricultural Cooperative was established in July 2011 under the initiative "life with dignity” (LWD) which also provided financial support and training. In addition, the establishment of the Agricultural Cooperative (AC) was supported by the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia which facilitated administration and provided training to the members of the cooperative. When it was founded, there were 90 members of the cooperative and the focus was solely to access credit. Now, in 2017, the members of the cooperative have increased to 324 and out of these 36 farmers from the Svay Commune have formed the safe vegetable growers group.
The idea of forming this group in April 2016 was based on the fact that the area around Svay Commune has potential for the cultivation of vegetables and most of the farmers do actually already grow vegetables. Noticeably, in Krasang Pul village there are a total of 250 families and out of these 150 families cultivate rice fields and grow vegetables. The safe vegetable growers group received strong support from the life with dignity initiative (LWD) and the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (PDAFF), Kampong Chhnang province. Furthermore, it also cooperated with Educational Concerns for Haiti Organization (ECHO), which is the International non-government organization which plays a role in controlling the quality of vegetables, and the Rural Entrepreneurship & Market Inclusion in Cambodia (REMIC) which is the buyer of the vegetables. After the formation of safe vegetable group certain leaders of the the Agricultural Cooperative joined a training of trainers programme offered by other stakeholders and were then able to provide training for members of the safe vegetable group as well as those of the Agricultural Cooperative (AC). Through these training sessions they provided new insights in crop cultivation techniques, as well as standardized chemical and pesticide application which were also shared with other stakeholders from organisations such as ECHO, REMIC, and the district Agricultural Office who were also able to contribute their expertise during these sessions.
The main objective of forming the safe vegetable growers groups is to encourage farmers to grow vegetables with a standardized use of chemicals and pesticides so as to be able to meet the market demand, and at the same time ensure the health of both producers and consumers. Additionally, it results in the vegetables having a higher market value and the practice also contributes to sustainable land management. Farmers changed from using chemical fertilizer to using organic and semi-organic fertilizer. This organic fertilizer from the fertilizer company is certified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to be distributed to the producers. In addition, farmers also apply cow manure as natural fertilizer. The pesticide were used due to the recommendation and guidance from specialists.
The farmers voluntarily joined this group and signed a contract which determined the type of vegetables, the quantity, the quality, the price, as well as the exact time period in which the vegetables should be delivered. The agreement especially specified a standard in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which had to be followed. The REMIC, who is the buyer of the vegetables, distributes the vegetables in its target area including Phnom Penh city. The company only purchases vegetables classed as grade 1, and so for grade 2 and 3 vegetables, the agricultural cooperative has to coordinate with middle men who are operating at several markets. In this respect, safe vegetables can be sold at a higher price, for example safe morning glory can be sold for 1500 Riel per kilogram. If it is sold on other markets, it is sold for 700-800 Riel/Kg for unsafe vegetables or grade 2 and grade 3 vegetables. The amount of vegetables that the company can purchase is limited to only 30 kg of morning glory, 20 kg of bottle gourd, and 50 kg of cucumber as the requests from clients are limited. ECHO plays a role in controlling the quality of the vegetables. They have staff to monitor the vegetables on the farms and also to ensure that the farmers grow their vegetables according to the set standards.
Photos of the Approach
- 📍 KraSangPul Village, Svay Commune, SameakkiMeanchey District, Kampong Chhnang Province.
- 🗓 2016-07-10
- 📷 Ms. Sun Pov
- 📍 KraSangPul Village, Svay Commune, SameakkiMeanchey District, Kampong Chhnang Province.
- 📷 Ms. Him Phally
- 📍 KraSangPul Village, Svay Commune, SameakkiMeanchey District, Kampong Chhnang Province.
- 📷 Mr. Sok Pheak
- 📍 KraSangPul Village, Svay Commune, SameakkiMeanchey District, Kampong Chhnang Province.
- 📷 Mr. Sok Pheak
- 📍 Hotel Cambodianna, Phnom Penh
- 📷 Mrs. Sun Pov