1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) - Cambodia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

25/05/2017

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 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.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

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.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• recent local initiative/ innovative

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The main objective of the approach is to encourage farmers to grow safe vegetables so as to be able to gain a high market price and provide safe vegetables.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	Safe vegetable producers, local authorities promoted the aim of forming a safe vegetable growers group. They also got support from LWD to realize this group.
planning	interactive	Safe vegetable producers, LWD, ECHO, REMIC, PDAFF, DOAFF to cooperate.
implementation	interactive	The members of the AC and the vegetable growers group participated in trainings provided by the trainer of AC, Officials from PDAFF, or trainers from LWD or REMIC. The participants join to learn about good agricultural practices and discuss their problems.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Safe vegetable producers, LWD, ECHO, REMIC. ECHO, REMIC controlled the farmers’ standardized use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They monitor the farms where the land users are growing vegetables.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists

Explain:

Grow not only one type of crops and practices crop rotation, so they can meet market demands.

• Focus on market demand and discuss with producers and buyer.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

• leaders of the Agricultural Cooperative.

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• public meetings
• courses

Form of training:

• Drawing map.

Subjects covered:

Land management, seed management, water management, chemical fertilizer and pesticides application.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields
• at permanent centres

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

It is just one group in one Agricultural Cooperative in that commune.

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training
• equipment

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

Participatory from land user and stakeholders.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Yes

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• economics / marketing
• ecology
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Participatory meeting among the farmers and stakeholders to discuss e.g market demands, how the technology farmers practice is positive to the ecology or not etc.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 10,000-100,000

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Receive seeds and have a buyer of vegetables.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

• agricultural

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Yes

Specify credit providers:

The Microfinance provides credit to the Agricultural Cooperative to run their activities, then after AC received credit from microfinance, it provides these credits to the land users. The AC has more opportunities to get credit from microfinance.

Specify credit receivers:

After AC got credit from microfinance it continues to provide credit to AC's members (land users).

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Grow safety and organic vegetable.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

By growing safe vegetables farmers get a higher price compared with growing normal vegetables where they use a lot of chemical fertilizer and pesticides.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Able to grow safe vegetables with a high market price.
Able to gain knowledge on sustainable land management through training. The trainings teach them not to use chemical and turn back to use organic and semi-organic fertilizer from the fertilizer company which are certified by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In addition, farmers were also convinced to continue raising cows to get manure as natural fertilizer and make their own organic fertilizer as compost or green manure to reduce the cost of buying organic fertilizer from the company and also promoted to use botanical pesticides, intercropping system, crop rotation ect.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Able to grow safe vegetables with a good demand and a high market price.
Land users participated in planning, training to improve their knowledge.
Support from MAFF, PDAFF,District of agricultural office and the local authorities.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Limiation of market. The REMIC could not buy all vegetables from producers.	Coordinate with middle men to buy the vegetables.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
REMIC buy only vegetables grade 1, they cannot buy vegetables grade 2 and grade 3,	Find middle men at markets in the region to buy the product.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information