Combine education, agriculture, community development and you get high school students in rural Mondulkiri Province digging deep to sow the seeds of lasting change for the future.
Oreang High School students participate in the Cambodia Sustainable Livelihoods forIndigenous Peoples Project, spearheaded by Analyzing Development Issues Centre, and engage with bio-gardens to build both environmental consciousness and practical skills.
CSLICP team members work to bridge a knowledge-skills gap by providing students with hands-on experiences in agriculture. School bio-gardens serve as a living classroom, where young people not only learn about sustainable farming practices, but also witness the fruits of good cooperation and teamwork.
The project, funded by the People of Japan through the Japan Social DevelopmentFund, will build capacity of 1,200 students in grades 7-12 in several secondary schools, with six school sites selected for bio-garden programs in northeasternCambodia. CSLICP field trainers teach local youth on crop-growing techniques, biology, soil and water management, resilience techniques, composting andIntegrated Pest Management (IPM), and other environmental science lessons.
CSLICP bio-garden activities include training in sustainability, creating basic water systems for the crops and growing a variety of vegetables and plants. CSLICP field team members work with community groups in the rural province to grow Java potatoes, leafy vegetables, pumpkins, long beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, lemons, galanga, turmeric, ginger, moringa, among other crops.
Beyond getting agricultural know-how, students reap a harvest of soft skills crucial for their personal growth. Teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are cultivated alongside the crops, preparing these young minds for a future where adaptability and collaboration will become more essential.
Bio-gardens not only supply fresh produce for community use but also act as a model for sustainable agriculture practices that can be adopted by local family households.
Working with the next generation of environmental caretakers, CSLICP personnel teach students about biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation — instilling a rooted responsibility in sustainable stewardship of natural resources.
School bio-garden activities equips students with conscientiousness of serving as custodians of the environment, essential for Mondulkiri Province and Cambodia’s long-term prosperity. CSLICP project efforts will continue inspiring this budding generation to embrace the critical role of education in improving food security and livelihoods.
The seeds planted today by these high school students will promote a bountiful harvest of knowledge, skills, and sustainable practices for generations to come.
