Watering the gardenThe average annual income for rural Cambodians is a mere $135. Clearly, the destruction of education and industry during the Pol Pot regime is still affecting Cambodia. With limited knowledge most rural people use primitive rice farming techniques in order to "get by" each year. RDI is developing dozens of innovative farming projects for rural communities to adopt. RDI is truly "teaching men to fish" rather than "giving him a fish." In turn, new trades and financial independence are spreading through the community. 

Innovative rural farm projects:
Chickens, an ox, and some dogs along with a small garden or a place to grow rice is a common sight at most rural homes in Cambodia. However, RDI has started some unusual projects to boost nutrition and economy in a rural village in Kean Svay.


Turdyes

Turkeys: Chickens are common use for eggs and for the occasional chicken meal. But with a large population of ex-patriots from the USA and all kinds of foreign long term visitors in Phnom Penh who celebrate traditional western holidays, raising turkeys seemed like an obvious choice. RDI is constantly incubating turkey eggs, and teaching villagers how to raise them. When a turkey is full grown and Thanksgiving or Christmas rolls around, each one can sell for $30 or more in the city market. 

Guinea Fowl: Unlike other birds, they will not destroy a garden, and are immune to most tropical climate diseases. A wiser investment than chickens they are great for food, and keep pests away from the other projects.

Courtnix Quail: A great source for egg consumption. 10 Guinea fowl can produce 3,000 eggs in one year. While it takes about 3 eggs (in size) to be the equivalent of a chicken egg, a Khmer chicken may lay only 30 eggs a year.

Courtnix Quail: A great source for egg consumption. 10 Guinea fowl can produce 3,000 eggs in one year. While it takes about 3 eggs (in size) to be the equivalent of a chicken egg, a Khmer chicken may lay only 30 eggs a year.

Goats, and Rabbits: Each are being raised for experimentation until RDI can prove the cost effectiveness and practicality for villagers to raise them.


Biggy

Odor-less pigs: Yes. It is possible to raise pigs that don't stink. RDI is exploring some Korean farming techniques using locally available materials to raise pigs in "muck" that has a neutral smell and can easily be used as very high quality fertilizer.

Fish: Four types of fish are being raised in ponds here at RDI. With multi layered ponds, RDI can raise each for a different purpose simultaneously, in one pond. 4,000 fish reside in each pond. The top layer of fish, Tilapia are used for regular consumption. The second two layers of other fish are used to regulate the ecosystem of the pond. The bottom layer, reside the silver carp, an exportable and high value fish. 


In the market

Farmers Needed!
RDI wishes to strongly encourage anyone with a farming background to lend a hand with information or a visit to Cambodia to give advice and train others in vital farming skills.

Statistics

  • Average yearly income for rural Cambodians: $135
  • Rice farming is the most common rural occupation.
  • Most Cambodian farmers suffer from malnutrition.
Gardening

Dozens of gardening projects are currently underway or have already found a permanent place in the community.

Organic Pesticides: Multiple organic insecticide experiments are underway in order to examine alternatives to expensive and dangerous chemicals for rural farmers. All from readily available safe and organic ingredients found in Cambodia.

Cotton: Though not traditionally grown in Cambodia, RDI has had tremendous results with growing cotton and a unique strand of natural occurring colored cotton. This has a lot of potential to stir economic growth in all kinds of ways. 

Vegetables: Dozens of different vegetables not native to the area have had great success. Villagers all around the area are helping RDI test gourds, legumes, flowers, and grains for human and animal consumption.

Duckweed: One pond at RDI is used to grow this natural food for our fish, rabbits and various fowl. It regenerates itself 100% every day, and is fed by the feces of our various farm animals. It grows locally, and has proven itself a vital part of the RDI "Ecosystem."

Important Needs

  1. Self pollinating seeds. RDI tries all kinds of crops for both human and animal consumption.

  2. Farmers! Expertise is needed in traditional farming techniques. (Which do not require a lot of equipment.)

  3. Tips on raising animals inexpensively.

  4. Help to sponsor the purchase of imported high quality goats.