Rice cultivation in Cambodia: Diocese supports small farmers on their way to greater economic independence

A training farm for rice cultivation in Cambodia, which is promoted by the Diözese Rottenburg-Stuttgart, offers small farmers new opportunities for greater economic independence. Since 2018, the World Church Department has been working together with the Karuna Battambang Organization, which supports this project, and supports their work in the rural areas of Battambang/Cambodia.
 
A large part of Cambodia's population still earns its livelihood from rice cultivation, although rural exodus is a major problem in this country as well. The reasons for this are low earning opportunities in the agricultural sector and the effects of climatic changes. One of many steps in this direction was the construction of a storage room in which the harvested rice can be stored until the world market price makes it worth selling. Where farmers used to be exposed to market and wholesale pressure, they can now decide for themselves when the time is right to sell.
 
A meeting room for meetings and training sessions was added to the warehouse, as well as a café and a sales room for the company's own products, centrally located on a busy road. In addition, a training farm was established, where farmers are trained in the ecological and sustainable cultivation of rice. In this way it is possible to increase yields and to grow them without the use of chemical sprays or fertilizers, which in turn has an effect on the quality of the soil and the surrounding environment.
 
The local people are confident and can rely on the solidarity of the main department of the World Church. And they are encouraged by a word of the XIV Dalai Lama: "There is a Tibetan proverb: 'Tragedy should be used as a source of strength'. No matter what kind of difficulty, how painful the experience, if we lose hope, that is our true catastrophe. (JS)
 
See also: https://www.youtu¬be.com/watch?v=A38LyZRZ_GY the Karuna Battambang Organization in one way or another and supports the farmers and builders in their independence.
@Article from newsletter of    Diocese of Rottenburg Stuttgart