A KEY LEAD FARMER’S RESPONSES TO
LIVELIHOOD TRANSFORMATION IN TRAPEANG PRASAT (TPR) AREA PROGRAM
Mr. Pang Chheangheart, a key lead farmer residing in Ta Sam village, TPR1 Area Program, sheds light on his livelihood transformation.
His family was originally from an impoverished background and had concerns about inadequate housing. In order to sustain his family’s survival and physical needs, he rented farmland for farming and harvesting. His family’s subsistence farming was tough, so he borrowed money from the bank. His main dependency on subsistence farming left him without options. Traditional agriculture and monoculture were his only options for farming due to his limited knowledge and technical skills. This made him desperate to earn a living on a daily basis.
The community leader and FH staff recognized Mr. Pang Chheangheart for his diligence and spontaneous involvement, leading to his appointment as an Hope Group Volunteer in Agriculture (HGV-A) in Ta Sam village. He can learn farming techniques like crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and how to make liquid and dry composts from FH staff, district and provincial officers of the agriculture department, and other HGV-As. This gave him a new idea for growing luffa gourd because his house is in a lowland area. He also made the soil loose and piled it up in mounds prior to their vigorous climbing vines. Mr. Chheangheart first tried to plant only 30 seeds of luffa gourd sponge, connecting it with the residential land that he bought for $100. While his family has 9 acres of land, they use it simultaneously to build a house for living and to grow vegetables.
When he practices this kind of growing technique, he earns money daily without being physically demanding like before. When he plants his luffa gourd once, it will take up to six months to harvest it just bywatering the newly planted plants and taking extra care of them. He transitioned from renting farmland to starting a family farming business. Luffa gourd and bitter melon are the only crops he rotates, but they can be harvested multiple times. Additionally, he enlarged his crop rotation area, which now includes 120-luffa gourd sponge and bitter melon. His daily earnings range from 60,000 to 80,000 Riel. He allocates a portion of his budget for his children’s education and another portion for their college expenses. His family’s success in plant cultivation and growth has made them a model for their neighboring farmers, and he often shares his expertise with other HGV-As and cross-visitors during community meetings.
Saving money to build a house to live in is Mr. Pang Chheangheart’s plan while continuing to share his knowledge with more volunteers. His family is now filled with greater hope.
Mr. Chheangheart’s household livelihood has improved compared to other families with vulnerability, as stated by Mr. Pich Kheang, a Village Chief in Ta Sam village. His daily
earnings from the business enable him to pay off debts and support his family’s education and livelihood. His children have finished school and now have good jobs to support themselves.