Working towards sustainable farming and wildlife conservation

In the village of Sre Chrey near the Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri provincial border in Northeast Cambodia, local farmers are shifting to sustainable agriculture. Through a collaboration between NatureLife Cambodia and the IBIS Rice project, they are producing organic rice while playing a key role in conservation efforts. Sre Chrey joined the IBIS Rice initiative in 2021 with 24 farmers willing to take a chance on this new approach. Four years later, 49 farmers are now part of the project, growing rice without chemicals and ensuring their land remains a safe habitat for birds and wildlife.

To become an IBIS Rice farmer, villagers must first register and have their land assessed to confirm its history and size. Once accepted, they commit to three major conditions: keeping their farming organic (no chemical fertilizers or pesticides), no land-clearing or deforestation, and no illegal activities like poaching or logging. People who break these rules risk being removed from the program. 

In return, farmers receive a significantly better price for their rice – around 50 to 70 percent higher than the local market rate. The financial stability makes a big difference, especially in a village where incomes can be unpredictable. 

“Even with a small piece of land, I earn more money than I did before,” one female farmer explained. “And I know the rice I grow is safe for me to cultivate and to eat.”

Beyond better prices, farmers also receive training on organic farming techniques, including how to make their own fertilizers and pesticides using natural materials. They are also free to sell their rice wherever they choose, even though many choose to sell to IBIS Rice for the reliability it offers. 

Compliance with the program is monitored regularly, ensuring that no chemicals are used and that the rice is handled properly after harvest. Another key rule is that burning fields after harvest is not allowed, as it damages the soil, prevents animals from finding food and can threaten nearby forests.

The shift to organic farming hasn’t been without its difficulties. One of the biggest challenges is controlling weeds without chemical herbicides, which means more manual labor. 

“We have to pull them out by hand, and it takes so much time,” one farmer shared. “If there are too many weeds, there’s less space for the rice to grow, which means less yield at the end of the season.” 

Water is another concern. With no irrigation systems or water storage in place, the entire harvest depends on rainfall. Some years are better than others, but the unpredictability of the weather makes farming in Sre Chrey a constant challenge.

“Rice is sensitive to the weather changes,” another farmer explained. “A lot of water is necessary, and the IBIS Rice is difficult to grow without a lot of it.”

Despite these obstacles, many farmers are proud to be part of the project. Some see it as an opportunity to preserve the environment for future generations. Others value the sense of community and responsibility that comes with being involved. A member of the Village Market Network, a group responsible for recruiting new farmers and helping with training, said, “I get to share what I’ve learned with others. And this allows me to teach traditional indigenous farming techniques to the younger generation.”

The project has already had an impact beyond farming. Villagers mentioned seeing more birds in the area, a sign that the environment is improving. Farmers say they have become more aware of how chemicals affect not just their crops, but also their health and the land around them. “Before, we didn’t think about how pesticides spread through the air and water. Now we understand that by farming this way, we protect both people and animals.”

One of the key reasons NatureLife Cambodia supports the IBIS Rice project is its role in protecting the critically endangered giant ibis, Cambodia’s national bird. With fewer than 300 individuals left in the wild, their survival depends on maintaining safe and undisturbed habitats. By preventing deforestation and eliminating harmful pesticides, the project ensures that these birds have a place to breed and feed. Farmers in Sre Chrey are also trained to monitor wildlife and report sightings of birds nests, which helps the organisation track and protect the species.

While there are still challenges to overcome, the shift towards sustainable farming in Sre Chrey is bringing real benefits. Farmers have a more stable income, the forest is better protected, and a growing number of people see the value in working with nature rather than against it. As more villagers join the project, the hope is that these changes will continue to spread, creating a future where both the community and the environment can thrive together.