Resilience agriculture techniques offer a couple of farmers opportunities to increase their productivity and improve the household economy and wellbeing of the family and a child.  

The couple, Ms. Kimhuoy, 30-year-old, and Mr. Sorn, 33-year-old, registered as demonstration farmers of the "System approach to Transformative Economic Empowerment and Resilience (STEER)" Activity a year after it was introduced in May 2019.  

Ms. Kimhuoy was a seasonal farmworker, and Mr. Sorn was a truck driver before getting married in 2017. The couple started farming on their land in 2019 when they gave birth to their son, Ly Vay in 2019. The family lives in Sovanna Baitong village, Kandoal commune, Botum Sakor district, Koh Kong province.  

"We made very little income because the crop yield was low. We had put much physical labour into caring for the crops and planting, but it did not turn out well," said Ms. Kimhuoy, noting that joining the STEER Activity provides a better chance for her family. 

Ms. Kimhuoy recalled the STEER Activity funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) New Zealand, mobilised a famer producer group and supported them with resilient and smart agriculture practices that allowed them to increase crop production and earn back more time with family and children.  

The STEER Activity, carried out by Save the Children in close cooperation with International Development Enterprises (iDE) and the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (PDAFF), aims to improve economic empowerment and household welling. 

Under the Activity, Ms. Kimhuoy and her husband were equipped with skills and knowledge of resilient agricultural techniques. They first grew cucumbers in an area of 800 square meters, and surprisingly, they earned three times the money they invested and spent less time planting crops, allowing them to take proper care of their son. They later grew fresh cucumbers, watermelons, sponge gourds, and wax gourds. 

"The income enables us to live a better life and to buy food, toys, and other needs for Ly Vay to ensure that he is being taken care of and parented properly," said Ms. Kimhuoy.  

"Ly Vay is strong. He does not get sick easily. He is agile and smart because we have raised him with care and love."  

"I always prepare food with nutrition such as fish, vegetables, and fruits. Most importantly, I ensure he could sleep enough," Ms. Kimhuoy added. 

Ly Vay is a 4-year-old preschooler with a naturally tanned and healthy look. He is known for his Duchenne smile and charming personality when interacting with other kids. 

With all these positive happenings, Ms. Kimhuoy and Mr. Sorn are optimistic about continuing learning from the STEER Activity. They hope to share what they have learned with other farmers and show how children can be cared for and nurtured properly.  

"I'm delighted that Ly Vay can grow up well and be lovely. And I will continue to work hard to grow crops so that Ly Vay can get what children should get and live with a smile and good health," said Mr. Sorn, Ly Vay's father.