Phan Srey Mom, a 30-year-old female lead farmer, has demonstrated resilience, innovation, and leadership by implementing smart agriculture techniques to adapt to climate change and protect crops from weather challenges.

Srey Mom initially struggled with farming and left her hometown to work as a migrant worker in Thailand, where she faced challenges due to language barriers and limited job opportunities. She returned after learning that her neighbour, a demo farmer in the Systems Approach to Transformative Economic Empowerment and Resilience (STEER) Activity, had achieved successful yields by using smart agriculture techniques.

Living in Kamlot Village, Chi Phat Commune, Thma Bang District in Koh Kong, Srey Mom resides with her husband, two children, and her parents and has become a crucial figure in the success of her community's agriculture. She is an assistant of the "OU KEI Safety Vegetable" group and one of the lead farmers in the Community-Led Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (CAREP) Activity. Leveraging her deep understanding of market systems and climate change adaptation, Srey Mom has sustained her livelihood and uplifted her community.

Srey Mom’s role within the OU KEI Safety Vegetable group involves developing production plans and crop calendars that help the entire group anticipate and mitigate the effects of climate change. Her forward-thinking approach ensures that her community can maintain stable crop prices, providing economic security for all members.

Srey Mom began her smart agricultural journey with Save the Children in Cambodia in 2021 through the five-year STEER Activity, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) through Save the Children New Zealand. She quickly mastered crop production and market engagement techniques, initially investing $375 per cycle for technical facilities and other arrangements, and eventually reducing the cost to $40 per cycle, which enabled her to generate a significant income. By cultivating cucumbers, corn, and cabbages, she earned approximately $500 per month, consistently ensuring substantial returns despite fluctuating market prices.

The income she earned is significantly better compared to farmers who did not use smart agriculture techniques or who struggled with farming due to challenges such as climate variability and lack of access to proper training, who typically earn around $100 per cycle or sometimes nothing at all.

In April 2024, Koh Kong experienced a severe El Niño event, leading to extreme heat and water shortages that devastated crops across the region. Like many farmers, Srey Mom faced the challenge of reduced yields and the threat of losing her livelihood. However, her participation in the STEER and CAREP activities provided her with crucial information about climate change and the importance of smart agriculture techniques. Armed with knowledge of nursery management, soil preparation, soil quality assessment, and maintenance techniques such as fertilization, pesticide application, and harvesting methods, Srey Mom remains determined to continue farming despite the harsh conditions.

As the STEER Activity, which focused on building the capacity for smart agriculture techniques, phased out, the CAREP Activity was introduced in response to the increasingly unpredictable weather conditions. With the amount of rainfall in Koh Kong decreasing year after year, it has become challenging for farmers to engage in year-round farming. The CAREP initiative emphasizes adapting to climate resilience and strengthening farming techniques. Additionally, the use of pesticides continues to be a major concern for local farmers.

Determined to continue her farming despite the challenging conditions, Srey Mom and her husband, also a farmer, took bold steps to safeguard their livelihood. Their first major step was to address the issue of water scarcity during the dry season by digging an 18 by 18-meter pond, 3.5 meters deep, allowing them to cultivate vegetables even when water was scarce. Additionally, they constructed a net house to protect high-value crops during the rainy season and utilized their newly dug pond to ensure a consistent water supply. These strategic investments enabled them to continue producing cucumbers, generating a profit of $825 from their first cycle in 2024, even during a climate crisis.

Srey Mom’s husband has been a constant partner in these efforts, farming together with her and occasionally taking on construction work to earn extra income. Their teamwork has been crucial in weathering the challenges brought on by climate change.

“While many farmers suspended planting due to the lack of water caused by El Niño, I saw vegetable prices rising. The pond and smart agricultural techniques I learned from the STEER Activity boosted my confidence to grow crops using the right pesticides,” Srey Mom said, adding that the CAREP Activity also offered her valuable advice.

As one of the 55 lead farmers benefiting from the CAREP Activity, Srey Mom's role in her community extends beyond her farm. The Activity, which began in April 2024 following the completion of the STEER Activity, provides ongoing training to lead farmers and input suppliers across the target districts. It focuses on advanced cultivation techniques and weather-resistant practices, building on the foundations laid by the STEER Activity.

Srey Mom’s success is measured in profits and the positive impact on her family and community. The income she generated has allowed her to support her six family members, including her two young children and her father, who suffers from a weak health and paralysis of one arm. She has been able to invest in her children’s education and cover medical expenses, all while saving money through her CAREP farmer producer group. Her 9-year-old daughter, Sreymuth, is excelling in school with consistently good grades, which motivates Srey Mom to support her education further.

Beyond her agricultural achievements, Srey Mom is an active member of the school management committee where her daughter studies, driven by a desire to improve the quality of education for all children in her village. Her contributions are financial and social, as she works to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.

“I am very happy and honoured to contribute to my community and truly appreciate that the CAREP Activity arrived at the right time to address critical issues related to agricultural techniques amidst climate change,” Srey Mom said.

Srey Mom attends school management committee meetings once a month or every two months to provide input and address concerns related to the school. Meanwhile, her mother helps with household chores, allowing Srey Mom to balance her commitments to both her farming and community activities.

Mr. Kum Samnith, the CAREP Activity Agronomy Advisor, believes that Srey Mom’s success exemplifies the impact of integrating smart agricultural practices with community support. “Srey Mom is a model of how knowledge and innovation can help farmers not just survive but thrive in the face of climate challenges. Her proactive approach and leadership are crucial for inspiring others in the community to adopt similar practices,” he said.

According to this story, Srey Mom shows how strong, supportive communities and smart farming can make a big difference. She can adapt and develop new ideas, which helps her family and helps farming in her area. Because of what she does, Srey Mom proves that farmers who have support can make good changes in their communities.

Moving forward, Srey Mom plans to install additional net houses and expand her farming operations to increase her family's income and support her children’s higher education. She also intends to assist the farmer group by providing planning and consulting on smart and climate-resilient agricultural techniques. Furthermore, she aims to form groups of farmers to support each other during emergencies and climate crises.

Interviewed and photographed by: Kum Samnith, Agronomy Advisor
Written by: Taing Vida, Communications and Campaign Specialist
Proofread by: Chin Kethya, Donor Reporting Specialist