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Agricultural Transformation in the Rural Farmer Communities of Stung Chrey Bak, Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia

Author

Listed:
  • Ham Kimkong

    (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand)

  • Buapun Promphakping

    (Development Sciences Program, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand)

  • Harri Hudson

    (A Ph.D. Candidate in Geography, Royal Holloway University, Egham TW20 0EX, UK)

  • Samantha C. J. Day

    (A Ph.D. Candidate in Geography, King’s College London, London WC2B 4BG, UK)

Abstract

This paper examines the processes of agricultural transformation and their impacts within six rice farming communities in Cambodia. For this, we explored four drivers of agricultural transformation: (1) market integration, (2) modern technologies, (3) household assets, and (4) institutional-policy processes. The paper employs qualitative methods, using document analysis on the policy literature and datasets, field observations, focus groups, and key informant interviews in six rice farming communities in the Stung Chrey Bak Commune, Kampong Chhnang Province. Herein, we analyze the processes of agricultural transformation that shape farmer livelihoods and contribute to the literature regarding the dynamic and uneven politics of implementing the green revolution. Our findings show that agricultural transformation in the six rice farming communities has had mixed results. While the transitions have improved household income, they have also led to insecurity, with potential impacts on the long-term sustainability of the rice-production sector. These include higher input costs, fluctuating rice revenues, and environmental impacts from increased chemical use. We show that greater support is needed in these farming communities in order to achieve sustainable rice production going forward, particularly in light of climate change, indebtedness, and the migration of young labor to off-farm employment, leading to aging farmer populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Ham Kimkong & Buapun Promphakping & Harri Hudson & Samantha C. J. Day, 2023. "Agricultural Transformation in the Rural Farmer Communities of Stung Chrey Bak, Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:308-:d:1048668
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maryann Bylander, 2015. "Credit as Coping: Rethinking Microcredit in the Cambodian Context," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(4), pages 533-553, December.
    2. Pray, Carl E. & Fuglie, Keith O., 2001. "Private Investment In Agricultural Research And International Technology Transfer In Asia," Agricultural Economic Reports 33927, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Rob Vos, 2018. "Agricultural and rural transformations in Asian development," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-87, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Hal Hill & Jayant Menon, 2014. "Cambodia: Rapid Growth in an Open, Post-conflict Economy," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(12), pages 1649-1668, December.
    5. Anti, Sebastian, 2021. "Land grabs and labor in Cambodia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
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