Cambodia, like many other countries of the Global South, faces significant challenges in maintaining and enriching soil quality and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. FAO/ADB stated in 2018 that Cambodia imported almost 100% of its fertiliser -1,406,775 tons in 2021, most of which were chemical-based. With chemical fertilisers readily available, traditional use of animal waste/compost soil enrichment is now more limited and vast amounts of biological waste products are not utilised in the agro-business regeneration cycle. Vermicomposting, the biologically-driven process that uses earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, holds great promise as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. The V-SOIL project aims to introduce and promote vermicomposting business techniques in the Pursat province of Cambodia to improve waste management, soil fertility, agricultural productivity, and environmental conservation by promoting local small vermiculture business industries and income. 

The V-SOIL Project aligns directly with 3 of the 4 UNDP Development Challenge goals. These include 1) Prosperity - through expanding farmer-led economic Opportunities, 2) Protecting the Planet through sustainable Agro-business practices through the usage of the Vermiculture products, and 3) Innovation: promoting innovation in climate-smart agriculture and creative business solutions. The project will have entry points and benefits for small- to medium-sized businesses and promote innovative solutions for poor farmers at the household level. The project promotes UNDP Cambodia's focus on leveraging private sector investment to establish sustainable climate-resilient solutions. 

The V-SOIL project is designed to establish a local core modelling/training team in the local province, including within the government and private sector business partners. Progressive vermiculture business owners will have the capacity to provide all the business start-up and coaching information as part of their business products to farmers in other provincial locations. Social media and usage of the local Agricultural cooperatives/members will be utilised to promote production businesses and use specific crop trials targeting farmers wanting to promote their products as “chemical free” and organic. Advocacy will also target local agriculture input suppliers to expand the promotion of products at their sales locations. 

Date: 1 January 2024 to 30 November 2024
Area: Pursat Province
Budget: Total 55,927 USD
Donors: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ADRA Czech Republic and MFAT New Zealand

Vermiculture Based Sustainable Organic Innovative Livelihood (V-SOIL) Project is managed by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Czech Republic/Cambodia with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with additional support through the ADRA/MFAT New Zealand ProMarket project. With the total funds of USD 55,927, V-SOIL will be implemented in Pursat province of Cambodia between January 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024.

The project objective is to introduce and promote vermicomposting business techniques in the Pursat province of Cambodia to improve waste management, soil fertility, agriculture productivity, and environmental conservation for local farmers and business entrepreneurs. The Project works alongside ADRA Cambodia’s Pro-Market (Sustainable Produce to Market Value Chain Enhancement) Project and the Pursat Department of Agriculture for providing training to potential sustainable vermicompost producers as well as promotion of the use of vermicompost products for safe, vibrant horticulture production and sustainable farmer livelihoods.    

In collaboration with experts from the Czech University Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, the project will build capacity of ADRA staff, Department of Ag. Extensionists, and Progressive Model Agro-Business leaders who will in turn train and mentor 12 potential vermiculture business leaders who are keen on investing in vermicomposting. These farmers will be chosen from progressive producers of ProMarket and be supported to establish small and medium scale vermicompost production capacity.  They will also engage local agribusiness networks and associations to raise awareness about the benefits and tested application of vermicompost products, directly impacting at least 120 farming households with the potential for broadscale benefits in environmentally sustainable production for farmers in Pursat and beyond.

March 21, 2024, Pursat province, Cambodia – ADRA is pleased to announce the official launch of Vermiculture Based Sustainable Organic Innovative Livelihood (V-SOIL) Project managed by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Czech Republic/Cambodia with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with additional support through the ADRA/MFAT New Zealand ProMarket project. With the total funds of USD 55,927, V-SOIL will be implemented in Pursat province of Cambodia between January 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024.

The project objective is to introduce and promote vermicomposting business techniques in the Pursat province of Cambodia to improve waste management, soil fertility, agriculture productivity, and environmental conservation for local farmers and business entrepreneurs. The Project works alongside ADRA Cambodia’s Pro-Market (Sustainable Produce to Market Value Chain Enhancement) Project and the Pursat Department of Agriculture for providing training to potential sustainable vermicompost producers as well as promotion of the use of vermicompost products for safe, vibrant horticulture production and sustainable farmer livelihoods.    

In collaboration with experts from the Czech University Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, the project will build capacity of ADRA staff, Department of Ag. Extensionists, and Progressive Model Agro-Business leaders who will in turn train and mentor 12 potential vermiculture business leaders who are keen on investing in vermicomposting.   These farmers will be chosen from progressive producers of ProMarket and be supported to establish small and medium scale vermicompost production capacity.  They will also engage local agribusiness networks and associations to raise awareness about the benefits and tested application of vermicompost products, directly impacting at least 120 farming households with the potential for broadscale benefits in environmentally sustainable production for farmers in Pursat and beyond.

From March 12-19, 2024, the V-SOIL project, in collaboration with experts from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, delivered a successful training program in Pursat province, Cambodia.

This 6-day training equipped 36 participants from ADRA, the Provincial Department of Agriculture, and local farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to establish and manage their own vermicomposting units.

Combining classroom sessions with hands-on field practice, participants learned about constructing shelters, selecting bedding materials, and raising earthworms. This practical approach ensured a deeper understanding and the ability to implement these techniques effectively.

The low-cost nature of vermicomposting, coupled with its ability to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, generated significant interest among participants. This sustainable practice will enable them to improve soil health, grow safer food, and contribute to a healthier environment.

Vermiculture Based Sustainable Organic Innovative Livelihood (V-SOIL) Project is managed by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Czech Republic/Cambodia with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with additional support through the ADRA/MFAT New Zealand ProMarket project.

#vermicomposting #sustainableagriculture #VSOIL #climateaction #environment #agriculture #livelihood

Taken from: 1, 2 and 3 

NOSATOR-FLOW is a web-based advisory platform that seeks to help Cambodian farmers to track, control, report, and address their food losses in different processes.  We are proposing a web-based advisory platform (tool), Innovation Solution, which collects, analyses and visualises data on food losses and waste at different food system levels. By collecting and simulating data from food loss and waste sources, this tool will produce output information to assist decision-makers in guiding solutions towards reducing food loss and waste. As a result of the tool's open-access nature, farmers, households, and other stakeholders will be able to input data and assist decision-makers in providing more targeted solutions. To reduce food loss and waste. This will synergise actions and improve public-private partnerships. Approximately 2000 Cambodian households are expected to participate in the project in the first two years. In the preliminary phase of tool development, the project will collect baseline data from 500 households throughout the country, in which most of the comparisons, modelling and simulations will be made. The project is estimated to enable each household to save approximately $100.72 USD annually through actions that reduce food loss and waste. The tool/data will then be offered to other countries to generate funds for the project's sustainability even after the first phase is finished.