Study tour of Indigenous farmers to Kampot province

From May 20-22, 2009, a group of approximately 20 Indigenous Farmers (Phnong) from Agriculture Livelihood Project (ALP) in Mondulkiri province conducted a study tour to Kamp ot province since they had already learned some ideas relating to the formulation of Village-based Farmer Associations (VFAs ) trained by the project staff of CEDAC in Mondulkiri province. This study tour was facilitated by Mr. Cheav Sopheak, a project officer of ALP.
The farmers visited and discussed current issues with experienced leaders of existing VFAs in Kampot province. They clearly understood the advantages of VFAs as well as the processes and methodologies required to form Village-based Farmer Associations.
It is important to note, that they also visited and held discussions with Mr. Oun Sophal, the president of Farmer and Nature Net (FNN). It was a good time for them to learn from authentic VFA key persons, whilst the role of VFAs was elaborated and actively discussed. The technical practices and applications of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) were also presented by the host farmers. CEDAC believes that there will be additional indigenous farmers applying SRI methodologies in the forthcoming rainy season.
As a result, the indigenous farmers would like to establish this kind of VFA model in the villages of Sok San commune, Koh Ngiek district, Mondulkiri province. Hopefully, Village-based Indigenous Farmer Associations will be formed after this a successful study tour.