83% of farmers complied with crane rice criteria

Since the launch of the Crane Rice Community in 2021, membership has grown from 41 households (35 hectares) to 141 households (185 hectares) by 2025. Participating farmers have voluntarily adopted sustainable agricultural practices, expanding crane-friendly and bird-friendly habitats to a total of 404 hectares surrounding the Anlung Pring Protected Landscape in Kampot Province.

Summary of the 2025 Internal Control System (ICS):

• 97% of member farmers voluntarily participated in interviews and allowed on-site inspections of their rice fields under the project scheme.

• In collaboration with protected landscape (rangers) and field monitoring teams, a total of 174 patrols were conducted. No recoded of illegal hunting, logging, or illegals fishing were recorded within the landscape or Crane Rice fields.

• A maximum of 87 Sarus Cranes was recorded (31 January 2025 census = 83 individuals). The cranes used Crane Rice fields for foraging on more than 82 days during their annual non-breeding season.

• 100% of the 141 participating households used the organic fertilizer provided by the scheme, with the majority achieving the project target of a 30% reduction in chemical fertilizer use.

• 17% of farmers (24 households out of 141) did not meet the reduction targets for chemical fertilizer and pesticide use (i.e., did not reduce pesticide use by ≥15% or chemical fertilizer by ≥30%).

Responses to the challenges:
The Crane Rice will continue to strengthen technical agricultural support particularly on weed management enhance the frequency of field monitoring during the growing season, and provide targeted assistance to households facing challenges in reducing chemical inputs.
Special thanks to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Mandai Nature, and the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund for their generous financial support of this initiative.