Improvement in agricultural production in a rural area of Cambodia between 2004 and 2011 - with an emphasis on small scale cattle production

Abstract: Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia with a tropical monsoon climate and distinctive wet and dry seasons. Poverty is a widespread problem in Cambodia and 30 percent of the population were classified as poor in 2009. About 80 percent of the populations live in rural areas where poverty is an even greater problem. In agriculture, rice cultivation is dominating and the crop is cultivated on 85 percent of the arable land. Livestock keeping is also a traditional part of Cambodian agriculture. In 2011, a minor field study founded by SIDA was performed in a rural area of Cambodia. This was done in collaboration between the organization CelAgrid and SLU. The purpose of the study was to evaluate several projects implemented in the area by CelAgrid between 2004 and 2011. The main objectives of the projects were to achieve improved and sustainable income levels and food security in the rural households. Improving animal health and education of the farmers were also comprised in the project objectives. An overall evaluation of the interventions was done with a focus on small-scale cattle production. Conditions and improvement in cattle production was investigated. The study contained both theoretical and practical parts. The practical part was performed in 25 rural households in five villages in Takeo province. The methodology of PRA was used in one village, Sras Takoun. As a part of PRA, the conclusions of the study will be communicated back to the participants. The results conclude that interventions made by the projects had been successful and that income levels and food security had been improved. Animal production and health had also improved during the project period; however problems with diseases and lack of feed still exist within the production.