For the people of Ratanariki, a north-eastern province of Cambodia, climate change is creating many challenges. Decreased rainfall is increasing droughts and putting extra strain on local farmers. Finding innovative solutions to climate challenges is crucial.
This is a key focus of Live & Learn Cambodia. They’re implementing a new project, funded by Johanniter International, aimed at alleviating the challenges of climate change by promoting more productive agricultural practices for small scale farmers – like Mr. Pleung Eal.
Mr. Pleung Eal is a Groeng man who lives in Kamplenh village. Under the Johanniter project he received a solar system that provides free electricity and operates a pump which waters the home garden. He has also received training on improving crop productivity, significantly easing the challenges he is facing.
“I save some money through the use of the solar system due to no fuel costs, but [instead] using free energy from sunlight. In addition, I generate additional income as my crop-farming and vegetable products increase with a sufficient and reliable water supply,” said Mr. Pleung Eal.
“Beyond using the technology for irrigating my home garden, I also use it to pump water from the river and fill up the water storage tank for domestic use and selling the water to other neighboring villages. Moreover, it provides me free electric energy for home lighting.”
Live & Learn Cambodia is helping farmers in remote areas of Ratanariki to access this transformative technology. Using a solar-based pump instead of a diesel-generated or electricity-based pump means there are no greenhouse gas emissions, bringing significant climate-related benefits while also helping rural farmers. This is a socially and environmentally attractive technology for farmers in the project’s target areas and is helping supply water for farming irrigation and domestic uses. This is improving the livelihoods and agricultural practices of farmers across the province – just like Mr. Pleung Eal.
Photos:
Mr. Pleung Eal stands proudly next to his new solar panel.
Mr Pleung Eal waters his garden.