Rice cultivation in the Mekong Region is often afflicted with pests and diseases leading to yield losses and livelihood impacts. This piece by Sourkea explores the impact of rice root-knot nematode (tiny, worm-like creatures found in the soil) which poses a significant threat to rice production in Cambodia.
Tensions between national development and local needs in Cambodia: Lower Sesan II Dam
The Lower Sesan II dam in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province has resulted in inundation of seasonal wetlands, relocation and the fragmentation of local communities. Previously self-sufficient communities are struggling as they become low-income wage labor in distant cities but face mounting debts, economic insecurity, homesickness, and mental stress. Community leaders are striving to invest in education for local youth to gain a better future.
Titling land, fragmenting livelihoods: Indigenous communal land titling in Cambodia
In Cambodia, Indigenous Land Titling (ICLT) is the official land-use program for indigenous communities to help demarcate their land and maintain their rotational swidden cultivation. While initially welcomed by the communities, ICLT’s internal contradictions result in the fragmentation of indigenous land management practices and push many communities to rethink their involvement in the program.
The risks of microfinance: Brao indigenous people in Cambodia are falling into heavy debt
Microfinance credits are a highly competitive business in Cambodia, expanding their operations among ethnic communities, including the indigenous Brao villages in Ratanakiri province in the northeast region. But ethnic people are now getting heavily indebted and losing their livelihood resources, accelerating land loss and dividing the community.
Cambodia’s Areng indigenous community fight for land and identity
To protect their forest and river, the Areng Valley’s Chong indigenous community keeps on fighting to stop the hydropower dam project, and to fight for their identity to be recognized by the Cambodian officials.
In Cambodia’s Kampong Cham, young people no longer care about fishing skills
Fisheries play an important economic and social role in many parts of Cambodia, contributing to food and nutrition security. But many young people in fishing families no longer want to carry on their families’ traditional way of life.
Massive Sambo Dam will destroy livelihoods and Mekong fisheries, but better energy options exist
If built, the Sambo dam will displace more than 20,000 people, affect livelihoods of many thousands more, and disrupt fish migrations including critical deep pool fish habitats. It is time to rethink hydropower as an energy generation source. Why do we need dams that destroy people’s lives and rivers when there are cleaner and safer renewable energy options for Cambodia?
As drought affects Cambodia’s rice farmers, can building more small-scale reservoirs help?
Since 2016, farmers in Cambodia’s Battambang province have been facing severe drought that has resulted in decline in rice production, deaths of livestock, and loss of livelihoods. The author explores whether building more reservoirs is a solution to help farmers cope with the impact of droughts that are recurring with increasing frequency in Cambodia and the Mekong Region.
A young Singaporean’s journey of self-discovery in Isaan
A Singaporean city dweller travels to the Thai countryside to learn more about sustainable food production and local farming knowledge. Sing Yee, a recent university graduate, shares insights from her stay, amidst conversations on farming, food, politics and development with other ASEAN youths and the host community.
Cambodia’s women fishers concerned about Don Sahong Dam
Women fishers in Kratie Province, Cambodia are concerned about plans for the Don Sahong Dam upstream in Laos. They worry that the river’s fisheries and the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin will be affected. Working with civil society groups, they have raised their voice through a campaign that has involved both protest and radio shows.
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