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Cover Crops: KropouchKasekor

Background

Accessibility and affordability to production means, such agricultural machineries (no-till seeder, roller crimper) and services that are specific to Conservation Agriculture and seeds of cover crops are emphasized as one of the main bottlenecks to foster the dissemination of such agroecological systems.

To address the accessibility, affordability of viable cover crop seeds, KropouchKasekor (Seeds to farmers) would need to be established and led by Department of Crop Seeds (DCS) to support the local production and supply system for cover crop. The ISA project team is currently working with the Department of Crop Seed to discuss on KropouchKasekor. There is only on national producer Smart Agro established, however the cover crop seeds prove to be expensive for small holder farmers. There is a need to produce seeds locally so that the costs can be kept low.

Aims and Objectives

KropouchKasekor aims to support Agricultural Cooperatives (ACs), private local service providers, and farmers/service providers to foster the uptake of cover crops in Cambodia. KropouchKasekor expects, to improve the transition of regenerative agriculture and importantly improve their farming systems and generate more income through the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices.

Institutionalization Vision

KropouchKasekor aims to be institutionalized within the government system, specifically within the Department of Crop Seed (DCS).

KropouchKasekor in the Making

2018
Raising awareness on cover crop use
In 2018, cover crop was yet to be commercially available to the Cambodian farmers. MIGIP partnered with Natural Farm Kirirom (NFK), now known as SmartAgro, to encourage farmers to use and produce cover crop seeds.
2021
Decision to promote cover crops as a part of CA practices through MetKasekor Model
ISA project signed a partnership agreement with Smart Agro to promote cover crops as a part of Conservative Agriculture (CA) practices through the Metkasekor Model and supported in the identification of the right mixes of cover crops with sales of 5.4 tons of cover crops. A bottleneck with regards to cover crop seeds registration was also identified, which meant that new farmers beyond projects are still limited on credibility of the products.
2022
Towards institutionalization with a steering mechanism
To promote Cover Crops in Cambodia effectively and efficiently, a need for the development of a proper strategy was identified. Therefore, there is an ongoing discussion on the establishment of a steering mechanism that focuses on introducing and promoting cover crops to smallholder farmers. Furthermore, discussion among partners and government departments also commenced on cover crops registration through the Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions (ASSET) project. In 2022, 1,554kg of cover crops were subsidized to smallholder farmers as well.
2023
Piloting KropouchKasekor and Promoting Cover Crops​
In 2023, ISA supported the Kampong Prieng Agricultural Cooperative (KPAC) in piloting the KropouchKasekor Model, resulting in the sale of over 4 tons of sunhemp seeds. KPAC, with support from Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (PDAFF), conducted 2 Commercial Scale events to promote cover crop practices. To facilitate administration and sales, ISA provided a sales staff for the cooperative. Additionally, the Department of Crop Seed (DCS) began the registration of 15 cover crop seed species with support from Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions (ASSET).
2024
Expanding Support to Cover Crop Commercialization​
In 2024, ISA continued supporting Kampong Prieng Agricultural Cooperative (KPAC) and extended its efforts to the Battambang Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (UAC) to commercialize cover crops. Both KPAC and UAC have demonstrated strong interest and commitment to investing in cover crop businesses, actively connecting with seed producers for supply. Addressing the lack of technical documentation for high-quality cover seed production, ISA supported the Department of Crop Seed in developing a Quality Declared Seed system, with plans to transfer technical knowledge to seed producers.

Related Documents/Resources

Events & Articles

Cambodia
Sustainable agriculture
04.07.2023
Transforming Agriculture in Tboung Khmum with Cover Crop Implementation
The Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Tboung Khmum has been leading the way in introducing cover crops to local farmers, a technique that improves soil quality and crop yield.
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Cambodia
Sustainable agriculture
22.02.2023
From a farmer a cover crop seed producer
HENG Sak, a 66-year-old resident of Battambang is a farmer who turned into a cover crop producer.
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Cambodia
Sustainable agriculture
20.09.2021
Partnership to Promote Cover Crops in Cambodia
There is a need for the Cambodian agriculture sector to reinvent itself by shifting from increased production through land expansion towards sustainable intensification. As Cambodia “finds new pathways to drive future growth,” technology will play a critical role in transforming the sector. The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC)’s vision to modernise the country’s agriculture recognizes that sustainable intensification “primarily depends on the application of techniques, new technologies, research and development, mechanisationzation, and increased capacity of irrigation to improve productivity.” This is reflected in several key documents that have been developed by the RGC.
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Cambodia
Sustainable agriculture
05.12.2020
Encouraging soil conservation through Conservation Agriculture (CA) Production Systems (CAPS): CA initiative in Cambodia
Cambodia’s agriculture sector is one of the key engines for economic growth and poverty reduction in the country. According to World Bank database (2020), 31% of the total population is working in agriculture. The major crops in Cambodia are rice, maize, cassava, and sugarcane. As the world relies on countries like Cambodia in Southeast Asia to feed a growing population, the impetus is on doing so in a sustainable manner. Conservation Agriculture (CA) characterized by three linked principles: Minimal soil disturbance, Cover crops and Crops diversification, is a key to sustainable crop production intensification in feeding a growing world population while conserving ecological and natural resources. Cambodia had embarked upon CA initiatives with a primary focus on cropping system design, soil fertility assessment, agricultural engineering, rather than commercial practices. However, in recent years, commercial practices have also been promoted in this area.
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