Until recently, Popok commune has been largely covered in endemic evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, rich in wildlife, fish and aquatic plants and valuable forest and non-forest products. Yet, human development activities and economic land concessions established over the last two decades has over exploited natural resources leading to unsustainable land use and disruptions to fragile ecosystems.

Popok commune hosts various natural water bodies including Ou Choam Pha Orng, Ou Ta Chan, Ou Dorng Tramoung, Ou Krasang and Ou Kou Lung streams, all of which act as water reservoirs and vectors storing and delivering millions of cubic meters of water for farming, livestock and household use every year. However, decreased rainfall and more frequent drought episodes have tested the capacity of these water bodies to meet the needs of Popok’s residents, and over the past ten years, agriculture productivity in the area has been badly affected. Because of the changes in water availability, “farmers are being forced to rely more heavily on less climate sensitive cash crops such as cassava and cashew," said Mr Keo Norn, chief of Popok commune and also the chief of the Watershed Management Committee (WSMC). 

“Once the soil fertility in fields drops and yields decrease, villagers clear new forest areas for the expansion of cassava and cashew plantations,” said Mr Norn.

On top of insufficient water resources, these monocrop plantations cause soil degradation and reduce water infiltration, adding another strain to farmers whose food and livelihoods are already threatened.

For these reasons, the Life and Nature project (LNP), funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF), together with Popok community developed a strategy to improve both productivity and sustainable resource use. By integrating micro-watershed management with climate smart agricultural practices, the project aims to improve productivity and build resilience to shifting rainfall patterns and soil degradation. The goal of the interventions is for Popok farmers to be able to increase their agricultural production while protecting and conserving their environment and its natural resources.

Using an integrated micro-watershed management approach to improve rural livelihoods

With support from LNP, a watershed management committee (WSMC) was established, and a five-year Watershed Management Plan (WSMP) developed aiming to improve landscape management in the upstream catchments while improving agricultural practices in downstream to provide collective benefits for the community. 

Upon stakeholder identification, more than 20 members were selected to participate in the WSMC, among them 40 percent were women to ensure their voices are considered in the WSMP, Community Protected Area Management Committee (CPAMC) and Community Forestry Management Committee (CFMC).

In response to the communities needs as stated in the WSMP, the LNP supported the construction of 13 in-stream intervention structures along Ou Choam PhaOng and Ou Dorng Tramoung natural streams in Anlong Kranh and Popok village respectively—both are the tributaries of Ou Ta Chan natural stream—and serve as the main source of water for the villagers and farmers in upstream and downstream areas of the two villages.

In Anlong Kranh village, six in-stream structures— two stone check dams, one stone masonry and three wooden barrages—were built and completed in mid 2017 along the upstream and the downstream of Ou Choam PhaOng. In Popok village, seven in-stream structures – three concrete dams and four stone check dams—were built and completed in mid 2019 along the upstream and the downstream of Ou Dorng Tramoung.

These in-stream structures slow down water flow, increase soil percolation and provide erosion control while retaining the water for farmers to irrigate their rice fields, whereas the water in these two streams usually dry up in December or January of the year. Following the construction of these cascading structures and check dams, there were observed of water available in the dry season for second crop productions, which is suitable for dry rice production and other cash crop such as maize.

One of the rice farmers in Popok village who benefited from one of the check dams in the upstream area of Ou Dorng Tramoung, Mr E Sokly, 30, indicated the check dam near his farm kept sufficient water in the stream until March. Now with access to water, it would enable his family to earn additional income from vegetable and livestock production in the dry season.

“Before this new infrastructure, we used to build earth check dams ourselves to retain water in the stream and divert to our rice fields. But the dams were not sturdy, and we had to rebuild them when they collapsed due to strong currents. Now we can have the project-funded cascade check dams, we can focus on other income generating activities such as taking up construction jobs in the village, collecting firewood in the forest and increase cattle farming,” he said.

The in-stream structure also benefits groundwater recharge and the raising of the downstream ground water level, improving communities’ water access throughout the dry season.

Mr San Tho, village chief of Popok village since 2009, said he noticed an improvement in well water quantity since the check dam was constructed. 

“I am confident that if the well’s water levels keep increasing, villagers will be able to start vegetable production as well as increasing livestock productivity, which is difficult without water. Cattle get sick easily when they have to walk very far to get water,” he said.

Mr Tho hopes the year-round access to water will help to convince young migrants who are moving away looking for better job prospects, to remain in the commune once they have access to sufficient food and income via improved agricultural production.

Climate resilient agricultural practices promoted, demonstrated and sustained through farmer field schools (FFS)

In order to increase farmers’ resilience to climate change, and in particular the problems with erratic rainfall and worsening soil degradation the LNP partnered with Kampong Thom’s Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (PDAFF), Provincial Department of Women’s Affairs (PDWA), Natural Farm Kirirum (NFK) and agricultural non-governmental organization Action For Development (AFD) to train selected Popok commune farmers on climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices through Farmer Field Schools (FFS). CSA techniques include employing drip irrigation systems, using cover crops like Arachis repens and Stylosanthes to re-establish and maintain soil health, planting resistant rice seedlings, using organic pesticides and fertilizers, grafting techniques and soil health improvement techniques for nurseries.

In addition, to build agricultural and business skills as pathways of opportunity for women, the project established women producer groups (WPG) and linked their needs and constraints with FFS planning and design. The project supported select business opportunities for rural women that promoted livelihood diversification and climate change resilience. For example, to ensure a stable supply for buyers and increase sellers’ price bargaining power, the WPG received trainings to organise themselves as a group and enter the market collectively.

As a result, WPGs members formed a savings pool to funds their own investments, with lower interest rates than microfinance institutions (MFIs). Members of the WPG also received training in new resilient farming techniques, more effective use of water resources and basic business management skills, including developing business and farming plans, leadership skills, marketing and bookkeeping.

From these trainings, four ‘lime producer’ business groups were formed by women farmers in Popok village of Popok commune.

A member of the business group, 41-year-old farmer Ms Chhim Vy accessed a loan that enabled her to transform the empty land behind her house into a plantation of 76 lime trees. Along with the trees, Mrs Vy installed a drip irrigation system connected to a well, helping her to simultaneously increase her water-use efficiency and decrease her work load

“Without FFS trainings and WPG‘s funds, I do not think I would have had a lime plantation like this,” Ms Vy said. “These lime trees will give us fruits in the next two to three years and will help us to improve and leverage our livelihoods. I will have a higher, steady income.”

Previously Ms Kly Ny[1], 37, relied on cassava production to earn her income, which she described as a very labour-intensive work. She also worked in a garment factory to support her family, but these activities were not enough to provide a sustainable livelihood for herself and her family. Today Ms Ny is the leader of the Women’s Lime Business Group, and has expanded her lime plantation on to a patch of unoccupied land behind her house with 175 new trees. She has improved her lime production by planting cover crops and using natural pesticides to improve production.

“Before the trainings, I did not know any agricultural techniques such as growing cover crops, seedling selection, and grafting techniques, soil health and water management to improve my production. Before, I let the trees grow naturally,” she said. “This new gained technical and business knowledge gives me confidence to expand my lime plantation that will generate income for me and my family. Now I am producing and selling lime saplings to others.”

Upon a market assessment conducted by the implementing partners, the group is now able to access new markets in Stung district.

In-slope interventions encourage greater forest governance

Forests are key to maintaining watershed functionality; tree cover and their root systems are crucial for rainwater infiltration and replenishing underground stores as well as preventing soil erosion and superficial runoff that can increase siltation of streams and ponds. Yet, Popok's Commune’s forest areas have been subjected to land clearing and illegal logging, which have exacerbated watershed degradation.

Addressing this problem, the LNP supported the villagers in the legalization of the management committee for the Community Forest (CF) and Community Protected Areas (CPA) from the Forestry Administration Cantonment (FAC) and Provincial Department of Environment (PDE) respectively, and in doing so opened up new resources to villagers as well as strengthened environmental law enforcement in the area. The LNP also collaborated with the FAC and the PDE in Kampong Thom province to install concrete poles to demarcate the forest border. 

Mr Em Sam On, deputy director of agriculture, natural resources and environment for Stung District, who is the former District office of Environment, said he’s noticed a marked decrease in forestry crimes. “About 40% of the total area of CPA was cleared due to agricultural encroachment. As evidence, you will see cashew plantations next to the community protected area,” Mr Sam Orn said.

“With the LNP, we are able to set up clear boundaries of the CPA and existing cashew plantations, so further agricultural encroachment in the forest area will not be possible,” he added.

With more established boundaries and recognition from provincial authorities, the community members who use the protected areas for non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are more empowered to report crimes.