Farmer knowledge and perception of production constraints in Northwest Cambodia

Title
Farmer knowledge and perception of production constraints in Northwest Cambodia
Publication Date
2017
Author(s)
Montgomery, Stephanie C
Martin, Robert J
Guppy, Christopher
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7274-607X
Email: cguppy@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:cguppy
Wright, Graeme C
Tighe, Matthew
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1027-0082
Email: mtighe2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:mtighe2
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1016/j.jrurstud.2017.09.003
UNE publication id
une:22198
Abstract
Upland farming in Northwest Cambodia has developed rapidly over the last 20 years, with limitations to the plough based system now apparent, including soil degradation and reductions in yield and profitability. A survey was conducted in order to prioritise the main constraints to production, to aid in future research planning, and to identify potential beneficial modifications to the current system. Three hundred and ninety one farmers were interviewed regarding their current farming system constraints, knowledge of conservation agriculture and their future plans in the Districts of Samlout in Battambang Province and Sala Krau in Pailin Province. Perceived major problems in the farming system were extreme climate events such as droughts and heavy rain, declining crop yields, and cash flow shortages, particularly in the pre-monsoon period. This is a plough based farming system, yet 66% of farmers had heard of conservation agriculture, and 59% wanted to learn more about conservation agriculture practices. Two thirds of farmers were interested in how to grow crops in the post-monsoon dry season on residual soil moisture. The survey highlighted opportunities for farmer education and adoption of farming system modifications to improve productivity and sustainability of the farming system in Northwest Cambodia, and assist with climate change adaptation.
Link
Citation
Journal of Rural Studies, v.56, p. 12-20
ISSN
1873-1392
0743-0167
Start page
12
End page
20

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