I have to make a presentation and show three alternative mathods for maximizing food production for Cambodia
I feel that Agricultural and livestock practices, production and marketing are very poor in the majority of the communities in Cambodia.
Solution:
Work with farmers that have already been trained to help train farmers in new communities.
Set up pumps for aiding to the farming.
Facilitate these trainings as well as teach biblical principles of agriculture.
Can some one tell me if I am on the right track here or give me some advise please I am stuck I do not know where else to go.
oni:
Your plan is really off base.
First. Ninety-five percent of the inhabitants of Cambodia are Buddists. Biblical principles are not likely to be of much authority.
Second. The great majority of Buddists are not meat eaters. Livestock production as an occupation will rate lower than being a professional thief.
Third. Pumps? Doesn't CAmbodia suffer from too much rainfall?
The main agriculture products from CAmboodia are rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca. Rubber is an export crop. The others are used for food.
I suspect fertilizers are a big problem in food production, that hunch is based on the rainfall amounts.
http://countrystudies.us/cambodia/37.htm
You might want to read this also:
http://www.unescap.org/rural/doc/sads/cambodia.PDF#search=%22cambodia%20fertilizer%22
Based on your description, it seems that you are on the right track with your intention to improve agricultural and livestock practices in Cambodia. However, there are a few points that you can consider to further refine your proposal:
1. Cultural sensitivity: As you mentioned, the majority of the population in Cambodia follows Buddhism. Therefore, it would be more effective to tailor your training and teachings to the local cultural and religious beliefs. This will help ensure that the farmers can relate to and implement the practices more easily.
2. Sustainable farming techniques: Besides focusing on training farmers, you can introduce sustainable agricultural practices that can help maximize food production in the long run. This can include promoting organic farming, crop rotation, and permaculture techniques. These methods not only increase yields but also protect the environment and enhance the quality of the produce.
3. Access to resources: Instead of solely providing pumps, it would be beneficial to assess the farmers' needs and provide them with appropriate resources and infrastructure. This could include ensuring access to quality seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. Additionally, investments in research and development for crop varieties that are well-suited to the local conditions could greatly improve productivity.
4. Collaboration with local organizations: Partnering with existing local organizations, such as agricultural cooperatives, NGOs, or government programs, can help leverage their networks, expertise, and resources. This way, you can build on their existing work and create a more sustainable and impactful solution.
To further explore and validate your ideas, I recommend reading the resources you provided and also conducting additional research on Cambodia's agricultural sector. This will give you a deeper understanding of the challenges and potential solutions specific to the country.