RCE Greater Phnom Penh-2015

rce_proj_title_2013
.
1. Project Title: 
PROMOTING ESD THROUGH FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN CAMBODIA
2. Thematic area/s addressed by the project
Other (please clarify) : 
Inclusive development and learning, Sustainable consumption and learning, Teacher Education
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
Royal University of Agriculture (RUA)
Role: 
Coordinators of RCE-Greater Phnom Penh in the Secretariat Committee
Main Contact: 
Prof. Dr. Bunthan NGO, Rector of Royal University of Agriculture (bunthan_rua@camnet.com.kh)
4. Project type
Select the relevant type for your project: 
Other (please clarify) : 
Community Engagement, Sustainable Research and Development
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

The project on “Promoting ESD through Food, Agriculture and Environment Education in Elementary Schools and Rural Communities in Cambodia” focused on ‘Forming farmers’ groups and promoting organic farming based on natural resource circulation’, ‘Promoting the distribution and sales of products with low chemical input’ and ‘Promoting food, agriculture and environment education for agricultural successors’ under the collaboration of government, university, local NGOs and local communities. However, ‘Food, Agriculture and Environment Education’ has been implemented not only in elementary schools but also rural communities. The achievements until October 2015 are: 1). Compost boxes and school organic gardens were already established at 10 elementary schools in Kampong Cham province under the supports of farmers’ group and school teachers, 2). Some compost boxes are being repaired because some of them are broken, 3). Pellet compost center was also established and the regulations of center management were compiled, 4). Farmers’ group was formed to implement and promote sustainable agriculture through natural resource circulation, 5). The meeting to discuss vegetable production and marketing strategy was held accordingly in order to consult the relevant problems for solutions in farms to support and encourage local farmers to produce vegetable with low chemical input, 6). The third technical training on sustainable agriculture based on natural resource circulation with low chemical input were conducted in Cambodia and Thailand for project members, yet the knowledge from the training was promoted and disseminated to other local farmers as non-member of the group through workshop and model farms, 7). The shop of Samroung Safe Agricultural Product (SSAP) was built as well as the shop’s managing regulation and market channel systems have also been being formed. Apparently, farmers at the target area could produce organic vegetable to sell on the shop and market, 8). Eri-culture, wild silk production has been promoted to deepen awareness on environment in rural communities, and 9). The 4th year project evaluation was conducted and observed the achievements of the project. In the observation, transformative learning was achieved at the elementary schools and Samroung Safe Agricultural Products (SSAP) through the trainings. The farmers and school teachers appeared to be engaging and willing to learn and improve their knowledge on sustainable agriculture practices.


7. Provide references and reference materials : 
6. Project status
On Going
Description: 
The project will be terminated on April 30, 2016.
8. Tagging
Region: 
Asia-Pacific