Introduction: A New Harvest of Hope
In the heart of rural Cambodia, in the districts of Rumduol and Romeas Haek, communities are working hand-in-hand with Mekong Plus and the Community Advancement Organization (CAO) to rewrite the future. Once marked by limited crop yields, environmental degradation, and economic hardship, these areas are now fertile ground for transformation through sustainable agriculture, livestock development, and environmental education.
This is the story of how cows, compost, and community commitment are driving real change.
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Farming in Rumduol: Challenges and Change
Rumduol, located in Svay Rieng province, is home to over 62,000 people. More than 70% of its population are farmers, most of whom grow a single rice crop per year. Due to traditional practices, limited access to water, and outdated seed varieties, rice yields remain low at around 2 to 2.5 tons per hectare. Farmers often dry their rice under the sun, which reduces grain quality and leaves them dependent on middlemen who dictate low prices.
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Despite these challenges, vegetable cultivation has emerged as a major success story. In 2009, fewer than 5% of farmers grew vegetables. Today, nearly 50% are growing crops like cucumbers, eggplants, morning glory, and leafy greens. This shift has improved food security and generated year-round income for many families.
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Livestock as Livelihood: The Cow Bank Model
At the center of CAO’s livestock support is the innovative Cow Bank system. Although it doesn’t operate like a financial institution, it serves as a community-based asset-sharing model where one cow can lift many families out of poverty. When a cow is given to a savings group of 6 to 12 members, only one member is initially selected to receive the cow. This person contributes just 5% of the cost, with CAO covering the rest. When the cow gives birth, the first and third calves are passed on to other group members, while the second and subsequent calves become the property of the original owner.
This cycle continues until each member has received a calf. Monthly veterinary check-ups and training sessions ensure the animals remain healthy and the program sustainable. As of 2025, 79 families are benefiting from the Cow Bank, up from just 18 cows distributed in its early days.
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From One Cow to Lasting Change: Mrs. Long Savouen’s Story
Mrs. Long Savouen joined a CAO-supported savings group in 2013. At the time, her family survived on barely $10 per person per month. In 2014, she received a cow through the Cow Bank. Her care and dedication paid off—the cow gave birth each year, and by 2018, she had already returned two calves to the program. The original mother cow became her own asset.
Over the years, her small herd grew. Today, she owns three mother cows and sells two to three animals annually. The income from this, combined with agricultural training, a bicycle for her son to attend school, and a home garden, has changed the family’s life. One of her sons completed high school and now contributes to the household. Her husband works at a slaughterhouse, while Savouen manages a small shop and grows vegetables. Their income has increased fivefold, reaching $50 per person per month.
Composting, Home Gardens, and Natural Farming
CAO’s farming support emphasizes sustainable, low-cost methods. Families are trained to compost using dry litter from animal stalls, rice husks, and natural fungi. Liquid compost made from vegetable leaves and sugar palm is also widely used. These natural fertilizers reduce dependence on chemicals, enrich the soil, and boost yields.
Home gardens are another vital component, especially for women. Small plots of vegetables not only improve nutrition but also bring in extra income. Integrated farming systems, combining rice, vegetables, and livestock, maximize land use and make families more resilient to shocks.
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Biogas: Waste Turned Into Clean Energy
Biogas is another powerful solution promoted by CAO. These systems convert livestock waste into methane for cooking, reducing the need for firewood. Each biogas unit saves one tree per month and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Today, more than 300 households in Rumduol use biogas daily.
This has a triple impact: improving family health by cutting indoor smoke, saving time for women, and preserving Cambodia’s endangered forests.
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Environmental Education and Tree Planting
Years of deforestation left parts of Rumduol bare, as firewood collection decimated tree cover. Since CAO began its environmental programs, attitudes have changed. Today, five tree-planting events are held each year, with about 800 trees planted annually in schools, pagodas, and farms. Over 95% of these trees survive, thanks to the care of local children and teachers.
Environmental education is embedded into local schools. Children learn about reducing plastic waste, composting, and the importance of trees through hands-on campaigns. These programs are shaping a new generation that values nature and takes responsibility for its care.
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Expanding to Romeas Haek: A Model That Grows
In 2025, CAO and Mekong Plus are expanding their programs to the neighboring district of Romeas Haek, which has a population of over 122,000 people. Nearly 6,000 families there live on less than $1 per day. By replicating what has worked in Rumduol, the goal is to extend the same support—from cows and compost to trees and training—to families in even more remote areas.
Currently, across all programs in Rumduol, 2,169 families benefit directly. Among them, 475 receive agricultural support, 776 receive livestock assistance, 479 are supported in education, and 439 receive microloans.
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Sustainability from the Ground Up
CAO’s model relies not only on donor funding but also on community ownership. In many projects, like housing and sanitation, CAO only contributes 20–25% of the cost. The remaining resources come from the beneficiaries themselves or the local community. In agricultural projects, farmers contribute labor, materials, or funds while receiving technical training.
To scale knowledge, CAO trains successful farmers who then teach others through peer-to-peer exchanges. Village livestock agents, schoolteachers, and youth volunteers help with regular follow-up, ensuring projects remain active and accountable.
Major partners such as Mekong Plus, Juniclair Foundation, Sancta Devota Foundation, and private donors make these efforts possible, but it’s the local commitment that ensures long-term change.
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Conclusion: A Future Rooted in Resilience
In Rumduol and beyond, Cambodia’s farmers are proving that transformation is possible with the right mix of knowledge, solidarity, and opportunity. From the success of the Cow Bank to the spread of biogas systems, composting techniques, and tree planting, every effort adds up.
What began as modest programs are now models of sustainable development. They have improved incomes, restored dignity, and planted the seeds—both literal and metaphorical—of a greener, stronger future.
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More Ways to Get Involved
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Sponsor a child with a scholarship: https://mekongplus.org/en/sponsor-a-child/
- Finance a microcredit: https://mekongplus.org/en/finance-a-microcredit/
- Join our eco-tours: https://mekongplus.org/en/mekong-bikes/
- Buy our handicrafts: https://mekongquilts.com/
- Make a donation to our programmes: https://mekongplus.org/en/donate/
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