Meet with Duong Phirum

Duong Phirum (pseudonym), a 32-year-old farmer, once faced great uncertainty in providing for his family. With limited formal education—having left school after the 6th grade in 2012—he took on short-term construction jobs in the city, specializing in drilling metal and mold-making. His wife and their four young children depended on him, yet stability remained out of reach. His farming efforts were minimal, focused only on growing vegetables for his own family, and his chickens roamed freely without a proper coop.

Beyond farming, Phirum had a strong sense of community. Though he occasionally participated in street and forest clean-ups, his engagement was largely informal. He rarely attended community meetings and lacked opportunities to expand his knowledge. Farming remained a basic subsistence activity, and the challenges of an unpredictable income weighed heavily on him.

Everything changed when Phirum joined the PNKS-supported community farming project. Through training, he gained valuable skills in sustainable agriculture, learning techniques that drastically improved his vegetable production. Previously, it took nearly 50 days for his crops to grow, but with the new methods, he saw results in just 30 days. The project also provided him with crucial farming resources, including solar energy, a water pump, and high-quality vegetable seedlings such as green mustard, curly green, and bok choy.

These changes transformed his livelihood. Over the past year, Phirum’s farm has produced around 30kg of vegetables for each season, generating a total income of approximately 1 million riel. Every six months, he sells about 27kg of produce at 17,000 riel per kilogram. More importantly, he now has access to fresh, chemical-free vegetables, ensuring a healthier diet for his family. Farming no longer feels exhausting; instead, it has become a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. He estimates that his workload has become 70% easier, allowing him to take pride in his thriving crops.

Beyond his personal success, Phirum has become an active leader in his community. He rarely misses project meetings, where he continues to learn about environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, financial literacy, and sustainable livestock farming. Applying his knowledge, he has improved his techniques for raising chickens and has even started considering pig farming as his next venture. His dedication to both farming and community service led to his selection as a key farmer, allowing him to mentor and train others in Kaoh Ou Chir Teal Thom.

Looking ahead, Phirum dreams of expanding his farm, increasing both the size of his vegetable plots and the quality of his crops. He also hopes to see more people in his community engage in vegetable and poultry farming, as these resources remain scarce on the island. With improved access to fresh produce and livestock, he envisions a stronger, more self-sufficient community where families no longer struggle to find natural, locally grown food.

Through hard work and the support of the project, Duong Phirum has transformed his life from one of instability to a story of success. His journey proves that with the right knowledge, resources, and determination, sustainable farming can be a powerful force for change—not only for an individual but for an entire community.