RECSOIL implementation in Cambodia
Project overview
Implemented by the Department of Land Resource Management from the Cambodian General Directorate of Agriculture (DALRM/GDA).
Phase VI – Implementation and Monitoring
| Number of participating farmers | Project area (hectares) | Annual SOC sequestration potential (tCO2e) |
| 161 (53 in uplands [annual rainfed crops] and 108 in lowlands [irrigated and drainage scheme]) | 508 (148 ha in upland and 360 ha in lowland) | 1 700 |
Region (municipality): Rottanak Mondoul and Sangkae districts, Province of Battambang
Main crops: Rice, maize and mung bean
Project name: Dei Meas (golden soil in Khmer language)
| Soil threats addressed | SSM practices implemented |
| • Soil erosion • Soil compaction • Nutrient imbalances • SOC/soil organic matter loss • Biodiversity loss | • Soil organic cover (e.g. cover cropping and organic mulch) • Crop diversification (e.g. crop rotation and intercropping) • Organic matter additions (e.g. manure additions, green manure, compost application and residue management) • Integrated nutrient management (e.g. fertilizer management, mineral fertilization and fertigation) • Grazing management (e.g. improved pasture management, grazing exclusion and rotational grazing, and pastoralism) • Integrated systems (e.g. agroforestry, sylvopastoral systems, syntropic agriculture, permaculture, agropisciculture and saline agriculture) • Forest restoration and management (e.g. continuous cover forestry, afforestation, reforestation, natural regeneration and rehabilitation of forest soils after fire) |
| Number of samples taken | Soil indicators analysed and standard operating procedures (SOPs) used |
| 54 samples for laboratory analysis (27 sampling points) |
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The following training sessions were conducted:
RECSOIL: Introduction to the process and main soil threats and Soil Doctors: Introduction to the programme and RECSOIL module were held virtually in French with seven participants,13 January 2023. Participants were trained on the RECSOIL tools and soil doctors implementation within RECSOIL.
RECSOIL technical training: stratification of the project area, definition of sampling design and density and Soil Doctors: training of trainers were held in person (Lomé and Canton d’Alibi) in French with six participants, 19–21 February 2023. Participants were trained on how to take soil samples and conduct visual soil assessments (VSAs) according to the RECSOIL methodology.
Soil Doctors: training of trainers was held in person (Lomé and Canton d’Alibi) in French with 25 participants, 22–25 February 2023. Participants were trained on how to equip farmers with the capacity to assess and address soil threats present in their fields through the Global Soil Doctors Programme.
Laboratory methods for analyzing soil carbon and other soil properties was held in person in French with 15 participants, 23–29 July. Participants were trained on preprocessing, storage and measurement of SOC, bulk density and soil respiration rate according to the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) standard operation procedures (SOPs).
Implementing institutions
- French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD)
- Department of Land Resource Management from the Cambodian General Directorate of Agriculture (DALRM/GDA)
- SmartAgro
- Swisscontact
