Project Update: Fondation Merieux supports the Home Food Garden Project
We are proud to announce the successful completion of another cohort of the Home Food Garden Project in rural Siem Reap, Cambodia. This project was made possible with the generous support of Fondation Merieux, whose contribution helped us to provide farming and hygiene resources to 100 families in need.
The project was implemented by our local Project Coordinators, who provided hands-on training and mentoring to help families launch their own gardens. The training courses covered a range of topics, including basic chemical-free farming, financial literacy, and health. After completing the training, all participants received the required resources to establish their home gardens.
We are pleased to report that all of the short-term outcomes that we set out to achieve were accomplished. This was verified through pre and post-program surveys, as well as beneficiary feedback at the end of the project cycle. We found that 100% of participants increased their knowledge about basic chemical-free farming, financial literacy, and basic health. Moreover, all 100 families reported improved nutrition, and 50% of participants increased their income.
While the long-term outcomes of the project have yet to be measured, we have already seen significant progress towards achieving them. We found that short-term food security had been alleviated in all 100 families, and all families reported improved nutrition due to being able to include vegetables with every meal. Furthermore, all families increased their financial literacy, which is a key factor in reducing domestic violence in Cambodia.
While we did not encounter any serious difficulties during the implementation of the project, we did face some challenges due to the rainy season in Cambodia. Nonetheless, we were able to proactively address these challenges and help families grow vegetables in the rainy season.
Given the success of our project, we have initiated another similar project called "Supporting Entrepreneurial Farmers in rural Siem Reap, Cambodia." This project will provide financial support and farming resources to poverty-vulnerable farmers in the area. Our survey revealed that 97% of potential participants need financial support and farming resources, while 85% need upskilling on their farming technical skills.
As 77% of rural households in Cambodia rely on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry for their livelihoods, it is essential to support these farmers to reach their full potential. By doing so, they could produce 20-30% more food and improve their living conditions. We are grateful to Fondation Merieux for their continued support in our efforts to alleviate poverty and improve food security in Cambodia.
