Environmental research

The climate change has happened and livelihoods along the Mekong River are extremely vulnerable to its impacts, especially the lower Mekong basin due to the adverse impact which arises from activities in the regions and countries upstream and poor living condition of communities. According to the VRA conducted by CRDT team at the proposed project site, climate change was a present threat and over the past five years, the rain is noticeably coming later and ending earlier, which has dramatic effects on crop production especially rice damages. All respondents in the VRA discussions claimed that increased water accessibility for agricultural production would enlarge crop yields and thus increase incomes and sustainable development. The consequences of climate change and impacts on communities are not disseminated publicly to all community people so that communities are ready for the climate change adaptation. In response to this negative impacts, this project aims to reduce significantly vulnerability of the poor communities by consolidation at all levels of people in the community that will achieve the poverty reduction targets of the Royal Government of Cambodia. The project will try to improve food security through increasing water supply and agriculture training as well as increasing stewardship of the local environment in five villages in two communes of Sambo district in Kratie province. The major activities of the project are to repair four existing natural ponds to supply 31 hectares of farm land for rice growing by around 80 families in BaySamnom, Svay Chek and Cherng Peat villag in Koh Khnger commune, to rebuild two existing canals and one dam to supply water for 25 hectares of paddy field of at least 60 families in Damre and Koh Dambong village of Boeng Char commune, and buy five water pumps to five villages in two communes, Koh Khgaer and Boeng Char. To ensure sustainability of water usage from these constructions, the project will form at least 4 Farmer Water User Group (FWUG) under the guideline instructed by the Ministry of Water Resource and Meteorology Department to manage the water consumption. Meanwhile, with funding from a donor of CEPF, the project will select at least 2 Extension Workers in agriculture and establish 9 Agriculture Farmer Groups (AFGs) in those target communities to increase effective use of water for agriculture production. In addition, Climate Change education will be provided to all targeted villages to increase awareness and encourage actions on any proper solution. By the end of the project, it is expected that the project will increase adaptive capacity of communities to climate change by 20% through water supply for agriculture production, reduce vulnerability by 15% by increasing food security and income generation and increase understandings of climate change issues by 20% through climate change education in 2 communes. 1.2 Project Objectives Improve livelihoods of 5 targeted vulnerable communities in two communes with a total beneficiaries of 715 families, 3595 people of population, including 1832 females in response to climate change impact, especially in high risk areas along the Mekong River through increasing food security, agriculture trainings and water supply. Specific project objectives are as follows: Objective 1: Improve livelihoods of 5 targeted vulnerable communities in two communes in response to climate change impact, especially in high risk areas along the Mekong River through increasing food security, water supply and improve agriculture knowledge. Objective 2: Increase stewardship and heightened value of the local environment through climate change education in 2 targeted communes. 1.3 Outcomes Outcome 1 (objective 1): Capacity of communities to adapt to climate change increased, through the use of rehabilitated irrigation system (irrigation canal, dam and big ponds, and water pump) and sustainably managing the water consumption for agriculture production at the end of the project. Outcome 2 (objective 1): Capacity of at least 180 families in targeted communities in agriculture increased through sustainable agriculture training, and alternative livelihoods management (quality, quantity and diversity) Outcome 3: Increased awareness and understanding about climate change and environmental issues through training and education in target communities 1.4 Outputs and activities Output 1.1: Four existing ponds will be rehabilitated to store rainwater to supply 31 hectares of farm land for rice growing for at least 80 families in BaySamnom, Svay Chek and Cherng Peat villag in Koh Khnger commune. Activities Meeting with local authorities, PDOWRAM, other relevant departments and stakeholders to get permission for dam rehabilitation and to introduce the project activities and then open the project. Conduct village meetings (BaySamnom, Svay Chek and Cherng Peat villag) to introduce the project, in which all villagers in the proposed site participate. Cooperate with commune procurement committee to prepare required documents for bidding process for 2 pond rehabilitation ((50m X 40m X 2.5m) at Cherng Peat village, rehabilitation of 1 pond (60m X 50m X 2.5m) at Bay Samnom village, rehabilitation of 1 pond (70m X 50m X 2.5m) at Svay Chek village, 1 dam rehabilitation (105m X 5m x2m) in Damre village, Rehabilitation of 1 canal 550 m (along the village road) in Damre village and Reconstruction of 1 canal 815m ( T-Canal) in Damre and Koh Dambong village Re

Cambodia