The project is implemented by the Department of Agricultural Engineering (DAEng) under the support of China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme in partnership with Swisscontact (ISA project).
Burning of straw (crop residue or stubble left on the field after harvesting) is a common concern in many countries in Asia and the Pacific. Due to lack of low-cost, effective, and technically feasible approaches to utilize straw, farmers frequently burn the straw in the field causing serious environmental and health problems, including from trans-boundary air pollution. Apart from accelerated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and air pollution via release of particulate matter in the atmosphere, straw burning leads to loss of soil carbon and micro-nutrients while adversely affecting soil temperature, pH, moisture, and organic matter.
In Cambodia the project aims to establish a pilot site to conduct field trials to test and adapt the technologies and practices at the same time work on capacity enhancement through awareness and demonstration sessions for farming community, with particular emphasis on engaging women farmers.
The Inception Workshop aimed to show the importance of Straw Residue Management through agricultural mechanization solutions and to kick off the pilot activities with local stakeholders to ensure the implementation of Straw Residue Management practices for sustainability.
The event was attended by 50 local stakeholders under the honorable participation of Mr. Koeut Kittineath, Deputy General Director of General Directorate of Agriculture, Mr. Ngin Kosal Director of Department of Agricultural Engineering, and the honorable online participation of Dr. Li Yutong Head of CSAM, Mr. Matthew Perkins Representative from ESCAP and Mr. Oum Kosal Representative from FAO.
The Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture project is financed by the Happel Foundation, the Symphasis Foundation, and the Leopold Bachmann Foundation among other donors. As part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, it is co-financed by SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA).