Environmental research

Recent VRA has produced findings of which five are taken by Association for Homeland Development (AFHOD) in addressing issues in two communes, Chong Kall and Cheung Teann, Chong Kall district, Uddor Mean Chey province. 1) Application of natural fertilizer such as cow dung and leaves to improve soil fertility; 2) Provision of improved techniques on rice and crop farming, tree planting, and fish raising to improve quality of life; 3) Establishment of saving groups to improve community access to saving and credit for their petty and household businesses; 4) Dissemination and promotion of climate resilient seed application following advise by provincial DoA; and 5) Coordination with government and non-governmental organizations to seek additional funding for building a main canal and a secondary canal for sustainable irrigation. Lack of sufficient water for irrigation in the dry season has been major issue in the target area. Government has now repaired a reservoir of 5,180 m in length with an holding capacity 5,616,000 m3 that can irrigate 2,870 ha and 496 ha wet and dry season rice respectively at northeast of Chonkal district. However, access to irrigation remains limited due to the absence of main and secondary distribution canals. To make effective use of the reservoir for irrigation, AFHOD proposes to implement selected actions recommended in VRA assessment. Through the intervention, it is expected that local livelihood of women, children, and the elders will be improved, thus discourage their illegal migration in search for employment in the neighboring countries. Success from this model will be used to replicate within and across districts in the province. 1.2Project Goal To promote livelihood of communities in Chong Kal and Cheung Teann communes, Chong Kal district, Uddor Mean Chey province so as to enable them to adapt to droughts, heat, and erratic rainfall resulting from the effects of CC. The project s specific objectives are to ensure livelihood in the 14 target communities improved, with access to sufficient water for irrigation, fish raising, animal husbandry, and for other income generation activities through saving groups. 1.3 Project outcome Access to sufficient water secured for villagers at Chong Kall and Cheung Teann communes for their rice and other crops farming to adapt to CC. 1.4 Expected outputs and main activities Output 1: A 2km of canal, 5m top width, 3m bottom width, and 1.5m depth, built; Output 2: A saving group consisting of 20 members, most of whom are women established in each of the 14 villages (7 villages in Chong Kall commune and 7 villages in Cheung Teann commune; total member is equal to 280). 1.5 Major activities of the project Output 1: A 2km of canal 2 km, 5m top width, 3m bottom width, and 1.5 m depth, built; Activities: - Build, in collaboration with provincial DoWRAM, a primary canal; - Mobilize villagers and commune councilors to plant grass and trees on the dike; - Convene meetings with commune procurement committee to select a contractor for building the canal; - Conduct quality controls. Output 2: A saving group consisting of 20 members, most of whom are women established in each of the 14 villages (7 villages in Chong Kall commune and 7 villages in Cheung Teann commune; total member is equal to 280). - With local authorities, organize meetings in 14 villages to raise awareness and knowledge on saving groups and their importance and develop criteria for membership application; - Select, in collaboration with local authority, members and committees for saving groups; - Develop, with saving group members and committees and local authorities, criteria and internal rule for saving groups; - Provide training to the saving groups committees on fund administration, recording of membership and loan, and record keeping; and - Provide technical support on facilitation and operation of saving groups.

Cambodia