Environmental research

This project was fully funded by UNPD TRAC fund thruogh coutry SGP team. Goals and Objectives 1. Increase use of underutilized electricity capacity particularly in daytime hours through using electric driven irrigation pumps, 2. Reduce fuel and pumping costs of those farmers currently using diesel driven pumps. 3. Expand irrigated area and number of farmers access to irrigation by introducing drip irrigation technology to utilize water more efficiently and increase cash crop yields. 4. Improve marketing mechanisms (value chain) for local vegetable production (Chili and cucumber). 5.Increase net farm income from increased year round production of Chili and other crops. Expected Results 1. 100-150 farmers trained in both family size gravity and low pressure drip irrigation technology and farm practices. 2.construction by participating farmers and CEC members of electricity driven irrigation water distribution system to initially serve 100-150 farmers. 3.Startup of irrigation system operation including collection system of user fees for water pumped and consumed. 4.Increased farm income of participating farmers. 5.Strengthened financial status of the CEC electricity system through increased consumption of daytime electricity, 6.Important demonstration model for other communities of sustainable development strategy utilizing renewable energy and modern farming and irrigation technologies, Proposed Activities 1. Complete detailed surveys (field levels, pipe pathways, field levels and dimension mapping), 2. Finalize distribution system design, including drip irrigation layout for participating farmers, 3.Procure necessary pumps, main pipes, secondary pipes, tanks, construction materials, drip systems, meters and related hardware, materials for pump station floating raft, 4.Training of farmer participants in drip irrigation technology and system operation and use related to specific vegetable and fruit crops. Training will include visits of selected farmers to existing Cambodian and Thai drip irrigation project sites, 5.Construction of distribution system including main pipe installation and secondary pipe system installation, 6. Installation of family drip irrigation system (FDS) tanks, preparation of land and installation of field drip irrigation systems, 7. Preparation of fields for planting first irrigated crops (January 2008). 8. Training of CEC Irrigation System management team to operate and administer water pumping and fee collection.

Cambodia