Engaging Youth in Agriculture: Ravuth’s Journey with the Nurture Project
At just 19 years old, Ravuth Sun was on the brink of abandoning his family's farm in Cambodia, faced with low yields and the temptation to seek work in Thailand like his siblings. But with the assistance of the East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Team and the Nurture Project, Ravuth was able to envision a brighter future for his farming. With training in modern farming techniques, he turned his struggling cucumber farm into a thriving venture, inspiring other farmers in his community. Discover how Ravuth's journey exemplifies the power of youth in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
AFS Newsletter - Member Article by
Somnang Phalla
East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer
At just 19 years old, Ravuth Sun was on the brink of abandoning his family's farm in Cambodia, faced with low yields and the temptation to seek work in Thailand like his siblings. But with the assistance of the East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Team and the Nurture Project, Ravuth was able to envision a brighter future for his farming. With training in modern farming techniques, he turned his struggling cucumber farm into a thriving venture, inspiring other farmers in his community. Discover how Ravuth's journey exemplifies the power of youth in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
The Nurture project, implemented by HEKS/EPER and Caritas Switzerland with co-funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), uses a systemic approach to enhance climate resilience for 15,000 households in northwest Cambodia. The project collaborates with East West Seed Knowledge-Transfer (EWS-KT), which promotes vegetable production to diversify livelihoods and boost incomes. EWS-KT believes that youth will play a vital role in shaping the future of food security and sustainable agriculture.
Mr. Ravuth Sun has two sisters and three brothers, all of whom have migrated to Thailand for work. Ravuth, the youngest in his family, is 19 years old and lives in Bovel District, Battambang Province. Ravuth dropped out of school in grade 7 because he had to earn money to support his family after his father passed away. Before joining the project, he planted 4,000 sqm of cucumbers using traditional techniques he learned from his father.
Ravuth's business was struggling due to several challenges, including limited knowledge of vegetable production, lack of market information, and issues with pests such as thrips, aphids, whiteflies, ladybugs, and other diseases. Ravuth said, «When I got less yield and income, I wanted to quit farming and planned to go work in Thailand, but I pity my mom who lives alone, and I love farming, that's why I keep growing vegetables.»
Fortunately, when Ravuth encountered challenges and struggled with his production, EWS-KT partnered with the Nurture project to select his area to showcase vegetable production techniques. The initiative included demonstrations, training, and a field day for target farmers. Ravuth and his mother joined the Nurture Project in August 2023, he has participated in the training courses on land preparation, seedling production, and pest and disease management. The first crop he grew with the project were cauliflower and watermelon. After 3 months he decided to expand his production area to 5,000 sqm with cabbage and sweet corn to increase his income.
Other farmers, witnessing the remarkable difference in Ravuth's crop quality, sought his guidance. Ravuth proudly shared the techniques he learned from the Knowledge Transfer Team. Ravuth thanked the EWS-KT Team and the Nurture project for their support, emphasizing the invaluable skills, knowledge, and cooperation they provided. Ravuth said, «I sincerely thank the East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Team for supporting me with the skills, knowledge, and great cooperation. I want them to continue supporting me and other farmers with useful farming lessons.»