Training farmers

Yorn is a volunteer for Aphiwat Sitrey, a local organisation funded by Oxfam. She also provides guidance on a groundbreaking rice growing technique. Here she shows Neang Veach, a 53-year-old farmer how to pull up rice seedlings without damaging roots.

Photo: Jim Holmes

Putting in the extra effort

Neang Veach prepares rice seedlings for planting in a nearby plot. "This new technique requires intensive labour, but it's all worth it because I use a lot less rice seeds and I am able to cut down on my expenses."

Photo: Jim Holmes

Breaking with tradition

Using the new technique, Neang Veach plants single rice seedlings 25 centimetres apart in straight rows. This is much more effective than the traditional scattering technique.

Photo: Jim Holmes

Amazing results

Since switching to the technique, Yorn uses only 200 grams of seeds compared to aerial scattering, which required about five kilograms of seeds on the same plot of land. "It's like a miracle. After five days, one rice stem splits into two shoots, five shoots after eight days and eight shoots after 11 days." Using less rice seeds and fertiliser, Yorn has been able to save money to buy a new bicycle and clothes.

Photo: Jim Holmes

Making a profit

Neang Veach (left) and Teack Voeut sit next to their rice paddy. "At first I didn't believe that a single stem could split into so many shoots, but we tried it anyway. The result is astonishing!" says Teack Voeut. "We made enough profit from selling our rice to pay off our debt."

Photo: Jim Holmes