The objectives and the Combination of specific activities
Livelihood Improvement through Ecological Agriculture / Technical School

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Program background

Cambodia has been gaining more than 10% annual economic growth recently. Yet while some businessmen and foreign investors are enjoying this high economic growth, most of the people are not receive any benefit. Around 80% of people live in rural areas and some of them have gone into debt paying for their daily food needs, buying chemical fertilizers and caring for an ill family.member. In fact, the number of the families going into debt is increasing and some of them have lost their farms in an attempt to repay their debt. Therefore, stability is urgently needed to improve the lives of Cambodian farmers.

Summary of activities

(1)Changing their Life by Improvement of Rice Cultivation and HomeGardens
Community Livelihood Improvement through Ecological Agriculture

Most Cambodian farmers operate small-scale subsistence farms. From fiscal year 2007, JVC has been promoting ecological agriculture in order to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers which have a negative impact on the natural environment.

2009 Annual Report

1. Training on Improvement of Rice Cultivation
JVC conducted trainings with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) which can contribute to the improvement of rice production without depending on external inputs such as chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Also JVC encouraged farmers to use compost made by cow dung, rice straw, tree leaves and weeds as fertilizer. 80% of the training participants have practiced the skills which they learned through our training and around 70% of them got good results with their rice yields. In addition, they could reduce their expenses for seeds and chemical fertilizers by introducing SRI.

2. Home Garden Training
JVC continues Home Garden Training in order to improve self-sufficiency and the nutritional situation of each family. In 2009, 818 families joined our training and they could harvest veg-etables such as pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, egg plants, etc. in their garden. Even though most of them had never grown vegetables by themselves, they could do it and harvest vegeta-bles for their family, and some of them even sell surplus vegetables for income. However to our regret, we could not achieve our goal, which was to set up home gardens for more than 50% of participants, due to irregular weather.

3. Environment Education
In order to provide opportunities for children to think about the importance of the natural environment and agriculture, JVC supported Environment Education in 4 primary schools. Part of this program had students and teachers cleaning their school compounds and planting tree in and around the school.

4. Trainers’ Resources Center (TRC)
15 years have passed since TRC was established. In 2009, TRC conducted seminars on agriculture, environment, development etc. in which more than 200 people participated. Most of the participants were students and NGO staff members. They actively discussed the issues and exchange their ideas.

2010 Annual Plan

JVC will expand our target villages of the CLEAN project and conduct training on rice cultivation in 20 – 30 new target villages. Also we will continue supporting the home garden program in 35 villages where we have been working. Futhermore we are planning to support water sources such as water wells or community ponds for growing vegetables. In regards to environment education, we will start environment education in 6 primary schools in 6 target villages. In addition, we continue running the TRC in order to provide useful information for people.

(2)Developing Technical Trade Skills in Young People [Santa Peap Technical School and Workshop]-Phnom Penh –

With the goal to nuture young people who will take responsibility for the future of the country, JVC has been providing automotive technical training since 1985. At present, about 200 students are learning auto mechanic and repair skills. The school has been financially self-sufficient since 2000, being able to continue free training, employing 37 instructors such as teachers, mechanics and staff members of the school, thanks to the income from the repair workshop affiliated to the technical school. JVC is providing support for students’ living expenses as well as giving counsel to the school on its management.

2009 Annual Report

About 100 students successfully completed 2 years of auto mechanic course and 90% of them started working for businesses such as car garages, construction companies, electric companies, etc. Others went on to continue their studies at university after graduation.

2010 Annual Plan

JVC will continue to provide support for students’ living expenses as well as giving counsel to the school on its management in order to improve the profitability of the repair workshop.