2023 Commercial Demonstration: MetKasekor Model’s Impact on Conservation Agriculture in Preah Vihear

Community |

On December 22, 2023, a follow-up commercial demonstration was organized by the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Preah Vihear in Rovieng district, building on last year's successful event. This demonstration was a continuation of the MetKasekor Model initiative and highlighted machinery, equipment, and crop seeds suitable for conservation agriculture practices. Mr. Poeung Tryda, Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Preah Vihear, once again presided over the event. “This commercial demonstration event will open the door for farmers to discover new knowledge and technologies for the practice of conservation agriculture which is a new way of resilient farming in respond to the changing of climate.”

Representatives from key institutions such as the Department of Extension of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DEAFF), the Department of Agricultural Engineering (DAEng), and the Department of Agricultural Land Resource Management (DALRM) were invited to this year's demonstration. They seized the opportunity to emphasize the significance and benefits of conservation agriculture to our smallholder farmers and service providers. Furthermore, they elaborated on how the MetKasekor Model serves as a crucial framework to guide stakeholders in adopting resilient agricultural practices against climate change. Throughout this event over 300 farmers had the opportunity to go through booth to booth to experience new machinery and cover crops seeds which are the essentials for the practice of conservation agriculture. In line with the MetKasekor Model's objective to facilitate private sector investment in conservation agriculture and sustainable intensification, various private companies participated in the demonstration. Companies such as Larano Workshop, SmartAgro, John Deere, Noeurn Workshop, Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, along with several agricultural cooperatives, showcased their products. This engagement aimed to foster collaboration and interaction between these companies and our smallholder farmers and service providers. Overall, the MetKasekor Model continues to expand its reach as an extension model, encouraging the adoption of conservation agriculture practices among smallholder farmers. By fostering private sector investment, this approach not only promotes conservation agriculture but also enhances the productivity of smallholder farmers, creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.