Amidst the increasing challenges and negative consequences of chemical fertiliser use, farmers were urged to use organic products to combat soil degradation, increase yields and sequester carbon, a step forward in support of the Ministry of Environment’s efforts to reduce climate change.
As part of a three-day Awareness Raising Workshop on “Climate Change for Media Professionals in Cambodia” in Battambang province, which is known as the “rice bowl” of the country and for its agricultural prowess, a group of local journalists had the opportunity to meet with local farmers using organic products.
They also visited several target locations and communities in the province which have been implementing greenhouse gas reduction and climate change resilience projects.
Sien Hieng, a 52-year-old farmer in Sangke district’s Kampong Prieng commune has urged other farmers in the country to begin using recognised organic fertilisers to address climate change.
Hieng, who owns 1.4 hectares of famland in Sambok Ak village, said he switched from using chemical fertilisers to biochar products two years ago after suffering soil degradation after years of using chemical products.
“At the beginning, I was reluctant to use organic fertilisers because I have used chemicals for many years, and this kind of biochar product was very new to me,” he said.
Hieng claimed he could cultivate eight tonnes of rice from 1.4 hectares by using organic fertilisers with some technical support, a two-tonne increase after changing from chemical fertilisers.
“I have observed that more farmers are changing their minds about using chemical fertilisers and changing to organic products,” he said, adding that he has advised members of his community to follow him.
Prom Sophon, 50, another farmer in Sangke district who owns 1.8 hectares of farmland said he stopped using chemical fertilisers this year after learning about the advantages of organic products distributed in his community.
He said he cultivaed about 10 tonnes of rice in the previous session and is now preparing his next crop.
“However, many other farmers still prefer using chemical fertilisers because they have used these products for many years,” he added.
Some farmers are reluctant to completely give up chemical fertilisers, so they add a small amount of chemical fertiliser to organic products to increase yields.
The farmers were recommended to use products from Husk Ventures, a producer of biochar-based fertilisers, which has a production facility in Prasat Balaing district, Kampong Thom province.
Husk Ventures is a social enterprise with a vision to support rural communities to become more climate resilient by transforming rice husk into biochar to combat soil degradation, increase yields and sequester carbon. It is registered as a private company in Cambodia and a wholly owned subsidiary of Husk Ventures SL., registered in Spain.
Mom Tit, Sales and Technical Manager of Husk Ventures for Battambang, Pursat and Pilin provinces, said last week his company has cooperated closely with the Ministry of Environment through the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance – Phase 3 (CCCA3).
The project is a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Sweden, the European Union (EU), and the Cambodian government through the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD).
Tit said the company currently distributes about 1,000 tonnes of the product per year to almost all provinces across the country.
“Our vision in 2024 is to distribute up to 5,000 tonnes,” he added.
Tit has introduced some fertiliser products of the company which include “ONIX P9”, an innovative concept of organic, granulated biochar-based fertiliser that embeds nutrients, biostimulants and plant-growth regulators; and “CBF”, a balanced blend of compost, biochar and natural nutrients for crops.
The most interesting product was “BIOCHAR”, which provides a stable structure that works as a high-porosity sponge that elps regenerate degraded soils and increase yields by conserving nutrients, hosting beneficial microorganisms and retaining soil moisture.
Khlok Vicheatratha, a deputy director at the Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Environment General Directorate of Policy and Strategy, who joined the tour with journalists in Battambang province, said under the auspices of the CCCA3, 22 projects are currently underway in Cambodia focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.
She said the Ministry has been promoting capacity building through training, and participation in national and international seminars on climate change.
Cambodia is committed to increasing the development of the country’s renewable energy to 70% by 2030 to fulfil its duty to mitigate climate change.
The Ministry has initiated the “Environmental Circular Strategy 2023-2028” to orient and identify priority work to ensure environmental sustainability and integrity, climate change response and promoing a green economy to achieve the government’s goal of being a carbon-neutral country and having 60% forest cover by 2050.