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General Meeting of ILFARM-KTL&SMC Project beneficiaries and Ecological Products Trade Fair in Kampong Chhnang province The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Training in Pakistan On 26th May 2009, Lok Sanjh Foundation (LSF) organized a one day training workshop on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in relation to Biodiversity-based Ecological Agriculture (BEA) at Sheikhupura District of Pakistan. The main purpose of the workshop was to promote SRI and BEA in Pakistani Punjab’s rice farming systems. Farmers from different areas of Sheikhupura who have been identified as key researcher farmers by LSF participated in the event. Read more... Chemical pesticides use widespread New research points to prevalent use of imported chemical pesticides by farmers in six provinces, a practice seen by officials as dangerous for farmers, consumers and farmland. Read more... Dong Tung Rice Agriculture Development Community Assembly 
On 8th June 2009, the community supported by CEDAC in the framework of CSPM project, organized an assembly to form Dong Tung Rice Agriculture development community at Trabieung Ressey village, Domnak sokrom commune, Dong Tung district, Kampot province. 57 people including farmers, the director of department of agricultural extension, director of provincial department of agriculture and CEDAC president, participated in this assembly. The objectives of the assembly were to:
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International Prolinnova Workshop and FAIR Meeting Following the symposium, Mr. Sam Vitou, a CEDAC staff member has joined the International Prolinnova Workshop and FAIR meeting from May 09-12, 2009, at Pokara, Nepal. The objective of the meeting was to share experiences among Prolinnova contract point countries in Policy advocacy, HIV/AIDs, Farmer-Led Documentation (FLD), Curriculum Development (CD), Climate change adaptation and FAIR. The countries involved in different themes shared their implementation, challenges and constraints. Read more... Innovations Asia-Pacific Symposium From May 04-07, 2009, Mr. Sam Vitou and Mr. Or Thy, CEDAC staff members, attended the Innovations Asia Pacific Symposium which was jointly organized by Prolinnova, LI-BIRD, Practical Action, CIAT & ICIMOD, with funding assistance from these organizations and the Research Into Use (RIU), the UK Department for International Development and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) at Katmandu, Nepal. Read more... Provincial Workshop on Agriculture and Rural Development in Prey Veng 
On 29th May 2009, CEDAC in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Agriculture organized a Provincial Workshop on Agriculture and Rural Development in Prey Veng province. The meeting was held at the meeting room of the Provincial Department of Agriculture (PDA). There were 80 participants including: Deputy Provincial Governor, director and staff of Provincial Department of Agriculture, Woman Affairs, Youth Education and Sport, Health, Water Resource and Meteorology, District governors, NGOs representatives working in Prey Veng, and representatives of both cooperative farmers and commune councils. The workshop was presided over by the Deputy Governor of Prey Veng, Director of PDA and President of CEDAC. The objectives of the workshop were to:
Read more... CEDAC organizes the Development Forum with Teachers From May 23-24, 2009, CEDAC Organized three Teachers’ Forum at the CEDAC office at Baphnom district, Preah Sdach district, Prey Veng province and Prey Chor district Kampong Cham province. 50 principals, vice-principals and teachers from different schools in Baphnom, Preah Sdach district, Prey Veng province and Prey Chor district, Kampong Cham province attended each forum. The objectives of this forum were to:
It is important to note, that through this project, CEDAC has been organizing the Teachers’ Forum since 2007 in nine provinces including Prey Veng, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Svay Reang, Takeo, Kampot, Kampong Chhnang, Siem Reap, Pursat and Phnom Penh city. Training workshop on Leadership with Organic Rice Producer Group Representatives 
From May 08-10, 2009, CEDAC with funding support from The German Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF), organized a training workshop on Leadership for Organic Rice Producer Group representatives at Pic Nic resort, Koh Kong province. 75 farmer representatives including 7 women from Takeo, Kampot, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham and Kampong Chnang provinces attended this workshop. The training workshop was facilitated by Dr. Yang Saing Koma, CEDAC's president, Mr. Khim Sophanna, FNF project manager, Mr. Lang Seng Horng, CESDE's director and Mr. Norng Sam Art, coordinator of National Organic Rice Federation. The objectives of the training workshop were to:
Study tour of Indigenous farmers to Kampot province 
From May 20-22, 2009, a group of approximately 20 Indigenous Farmers (Phnong) from Agriculture Livelihood Project (ALP) in Mondulkiri province conducted a study tour to Kampot province since they had already learned some ideas relating to the formulation of Village-based Farmer Associations (VFAs ) trained by the project staff of CEDAC in Mondulkiri province. This study tour was facilitated by Mr. Cheav Sopheak, a project officer of ALP.The farmers visited and discussed current issues with experienced leaders of existing VFAs in Kampot province. They clearly understood the advantages of VFAs as well as the processes and methodologies required to form Village-based Farmer Associations. It is important to note, that they also visited and held discussions with Mr. Oun Sophal, the president of Farmer and Nature Net (FNN). It was a good time for them to learn from authentic VFA key persons, whilst the role of VFAs was elaborated and actively discussed. The technical practices and applications of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) were also presented by the host farmers. CEDAC believes that there will be additional indigenous farmers applying SRI methodologies in the forthcoming rainy season. As a result, the indigenous farmers would like to establish this kind of VFA model in the villages of Sok San commune, Koh Ngiek district, Mondulkiri province. Hopefully, Village-based Indigenous Farmer Associations will be formed after this a successful study tour. Year Of Rice Action (YORA) 2009-2010 Launch 
On 20th May 2009, CEDAC with funding support from Pesticide Action Network Asia & the Pacific (PANAP), launched the Year of Rice Action (YORA) 2009-2010 by organizing a Press Conference at CEDAC office, Phnom Penh. The objective of the launch was to assert the rights of small rice farmers and rice consumers to safe and sufficient rice/food, production resources, and sustainable livelihoods. The theme of this year’s YORA is “Rice for Life and Livelihoods”—this reflects the importance of rice to the lives and livelihoods of the people of Asia. Eleven press member including the representatives of newspapers, magazines, radio and television attended this conference.During the conference, journalist asked many questions related to YORA, local seed selection, and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). In response, Dr. Yang Saing Koma, CEDAC's president explained the importance of YORA 2009-2010 and Mr. Prak Chres, a farmer from Takeo province shared his experience of selecting local rice seeds and a further explanation of the SRI secretariat of Ministry of Agriculture. As a result, many news articles and feature stories were published and broadcasted by different media companies. It is important to note, that YORA ASIA is jointly organized by peoples’ organizations in China, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Read more... 4th National Assembly of Organic Rice Producer Federation 
On 1st May 2009, CEDAC with funding support from DED, organized the 4th National Assembly of Organic Rice Producer Federation at Trapaing Chuk village, Trapaing Thom Kharng Tbong commune, Tramkok district, Takeo province. 155 people including 28 women attended this national assembly. The objectives of the assembly were to:
It is to be noted that the Federation was created in 2003. This year, 1380 tons of organic rice was supplied by the federation to the NAP marketing of CEDAC. From April 27-30, 2009, Farmer and Nature Net (FNN) hosted a visit for La Via Compesina (LVC) in Phnom Penh. Three women delegates form South Korea and Indonesia participated in this visit. The purpose of the visit was to:
CEDAC's General Meeting 
On Friday 10th April 2009, CEDAC conducted its General Meeting at the Cambodian Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC), Phnom Penh. 175 CEDAC staff members including 55 women attended this meeting. The president of CEDAC, Dr. Yang Saing Koma presided over the meeting. The objectives of the meeting were to reflect on the main achievements of CEDAC in the first three months of 2009 and to present its work in 2009. During this meeting, Dr. Yang Saing Koma presented an overview of CEDAC on Agriculture and Rural development in 2009 and the staff shared their impressions of CEDAC's progress in the first quarter of 2009.As a result of this meeting, new opportunities were identified with a strong commitment of all staff members to further develop CEDAC as an organization and strengthen its contribution to Development in Cambodia. Cambodia Scores Historical Records of Rice Harvest Xinhua 2009-04-09 Cambodia achieved historical records of rice harvest in 2008, Chinese-language newspaper the Jian Hua Daily on Thursday quoted Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries Chan Sarun as saying. Farmers planted 2.25 million hectares of rice during the rainy season in 2008, with an average turnout of 2.54 tons of rice per hectare, Chan Sarun told an annual meeting of his ministry here on Wednesday. In addition, they planted 350,000 hectares of rice during the dry season in 2008, with an average turnout of 4.04 tons of rice per hectare, said the minister. "These are our historical records in terms of rice harvest," he added. In late March, the minister told reporters that the kingdom harvested over 7 million tons of rice in 2008, with at least 2 million tons ready for export. Cambodia used to be a major exporter of rice within the region of the Mekong River. Trabeung Thom Kharng Tbong commune farmers are happy with their new Community Rice Mill 
CEDAC initiated to construct the community rice mill for farmers in the community since early 2008. Currently, there are two community rice mills constructed; one in Takeo province and another in Kampot province.
On 5th April 2009, CEDAC organized the Community Rice Mill Inauguration Ceremony at Trabeung Chuk village, Trabeung Thom Kharng Tbong commune, Tramkok district, Takeo province. More than 300 people including farmers, local governors, the chief of the department of agriculture, Dr. H.E Chan Sarun, Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Dr. Yang Saing Koma, CEDAC's president and CEDAC staff members attended this ceremony. During the workshop, Dr. Chan Sarun praised CEDAC for this initiative and encouraged farmers to create more agriculture and development in the community. He stated that through this community rice mill food security will be secured. Moreover he added that, this means that farmers will:
Rice Outlook for March 2009 As the graph “Whole sale prices in Bangkok and Phnom Penh” shows, prices in Phnom Penh have been relatively stable since January this year. Cambodian jasmine rice cost currently about US$ 33.00 per 50 kg bag, US$ 5.00 less than Thai jasmine rice. During 2008, Cambodian rice was more expensive than Thai rice. Given the current situation, it can be expected that prices will remain steady for March and April, except for increases due to the higher costs for storage and capital. This is already evident in the current prices for paddy. Read more... CEDAC Board of Directors Meeting On 04th April 2009, CEDAC hosted a meeting with its Board of Director (BOD) at CEDAC's head office, Phnom Penh. Four Board members and CEDAC's Program directors including Dr. Yang Saing Koma, Ms. Meas Nimol, Mr. Oum Savin, Mr. Prak Sereyvath, Mr. Lang Seng horng, Mr. Keam Makarady, Dr. Ung Dararath Moni, Dr. Mak Solieng and Miss khou somatheavy attended in this meeting. The objectives of the meeting were to:
Press Field Trip to TramKok District, Takeo Province 
On 5th April 2009, CEDAC organized a Press Field Trip to the Community Rice Mill Inauguration Ceremony at Trabeung Chuk village, Trabeung Thom Kharng Tbong commune, Tramkok district, Takeo province. Eight media company representatives attended this field trip. They represented newspapers, magazines, radio and television. During the visit, journalists interviewed farmers who are members of Domrey Romeal community rice mill about the problems and benefits of being a member. One reporter from Voice of Democracy (VOD) did a live report and many other features for their publications from the field.It is important to note, that CEDAC will organize a Press Field trip every two months to its targeted project areas where journalists could see the real aspect of ecological agriculture and rural development and picture or prepare a cover for their news/ publication/broadcasting. It is also a chance for farmers to have their voices heard in public, particularly the government so that it can easily respond to their problems and needs. Project workshop on Pesticide Use From March 30-31, 2009, CEDAC organized a project workshop on the Pesticide Use and its Problems with Key Farmers and Community Youth Leaders. The objectives of workshop were to share amongst the participants, pesticide use and its problem in the communities and to increase public awareness around these issues with community people. 53 people from 11 provinces including Prey Veng, Svey Rieng, Kandal, Kampot, Takeo, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Battambang and Kratie provinces participated in this workshop. According to the information shared during the workshop, there are now more farmers in the community using pesticides in a dangerous ways. For example, they do not use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while mixing and spraying pesticides. At the same time, there are more pesticide companies now reaching the communities and motivating farmers to buy and use their products. However, it was very lucky for those who have cooperated and worked with CEDAC that they could easily access to education and training about the impact of pesticide use. It is important to note, that CEDAC has been working to promote ecological agriculture techniques since 1997. Beside the information material such as leaflets and Video CD, CEDAC continues to educate Cambodian farmers about the impact of pesticide use through the commune workshop and its weekly radio broadcasting program. Annual Workshop of the Improving Livelihoods of Subsistence Farmers in Kampot 
On 27th March 2009, CEDAC organized a Provincial Annual Workshop on Improving Livelihoods of Subsistence Farmers in Kampot, with the participation of 65 participants. Participants included: the director and staff of Department of Agriculture in Kampot, Department of Woman Affairs, 7 district governors, commune councils from 38 communes, 7 district agriculture office representatives and representatives of cooperative farmers. The workshop was presided over by Mr. Kim Phean.The objectives of the workshop were to present the achievements and experiences of ILFARM-Kampot in 2008, to let the best cooperating farmer share their experiences as well as to identify recommendations and strategies for implementing the project in the coming year. The workshop was supported by Asian Community Trust (ACT). During the workshop, the most successful farmers in saving groups, rice mill cooperatives, organic rice producer communities and ecological chicken raising groups were invited to share their experiences. National Organic Rice Federation Committee Meeting On March 26 2009, CEDAC organized a National Organic Rice Federation Committee Meeting at CEDAC's head office, Phnom Penh with the participation of 20 people of which 3 were women. The composition of the participants included: representatives of the Federation Committee from seven provinces, DED marketing advisor, a representative of SFIC (social investment fund for Cambodia) and CEDAC's staff members. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Lang Seng Horng and Mr.Norng Sam Art. The objectives of the meeting were to:
Mr. Yi Kim Than as Guest speaker at World Bank Civil Society Funds Workshop On 26th March 2009, Mr. Yi Kim Than, Program Officer of CEDAC was invited by World Bank in Cambodia to participate as the guest speaker at the World Bank Civil Society Funds Workshop, Best Practices in Promoting Civic Engagement for Good Governance in Cambodia. There were around 50 participants from LAAR program grantees, Civil Society Funds grantees, grantees of Local Movement project of Star Kampuchea and representatives of other NGOs and MOI. During this workshop, Mr. Yi Kim Than presented the experiences of CEDAC in organizing the commune public forum which can contribute to the promotion of democratic local development, specifically, in promoting transparency, accountability, and engagement between Commune Councils and local citizens. Annual Workshop on Improving Livelihoods of Small Farmers in Tramkak, Phase II 
On 20 Mach 2009, CEDAC organized the Provincial Annual Workshop on Improving Livelihoods of Small Farmers in Tramkak district, Takeo province with the participation of 72 people of which 9 were women. The composition of the participants included: director and staff of the Department of Agriculture in Takeo province; the Department of Woman's Affairs; the Department of Environment, Tramkak district governor, commune councils from 15 communes, district agriculture office, representatives of Cooperative Farmers, CEDAC staff members and other development NGOs in Takeo province. The workshop was presided over by Mrs. Nou Sovanny, Vice-Governor of Takeo province, Mr. Kobayashi Yukiharu, Vice-resident representative of Japan International Cooperation agency (JICA) office to Cambodia and Dr. Yang Saing Koma, CEDAC's president. During the workshop, the most successful farmers in ecological chicken raising, SRI, Multi-Purpose Farms and organic rice communities were invited to share their experiences.The objectives of the meeting were to present the achievements and experiences of ILFARM-TK phase II in 2008, to allow the best cooperating farmer to share their experiences, and to identify recommendations and strategies for the sustainability of ILFARM-TK after the withdrawal/completion of the project. The workshop was supported by JICA. Please note that, JICA has provided support to CEDAC in two phases. The first phase was from January 2003 to December 2005 and the second from July 2006 to June 2009. This phase is to be implemented in Tramkok district. The project aims to improve the livelihoods of small farmers through the development of farmer led and self-sustained agricultural extension, marketing and community finance services. Currently, there are about 21, 000 farmers from around 220 villages in Tramkok district, who are benefiting from this project. CEDAC and ACT cooperation 2009-2010 On 19 March 2009, the Asian Community Trust committee has approved continuing support for the project entitled “the Improving Livelihood of subsistence Farmer in Kampot” for the fiscal year 2009 (01 April 2009 to 31 March 2010). The ACT has provided a grant to CEDAC to implement this project since April 2007. Currently, there are around 7,653 rice farmers in 132 villages benefiting from the project. For the new grant, the project will enable 8,000 subsistence rice farming families in 132 villages of 7 districts including Chhouk, Dorng Tuong, Kampong Trach, Banteay Meas, Angkor Chey, Kampot and Chum Kiri of Kampot Province to increase their food production and income as well as to improve social conditions through agricultural intensification and diversification and community led marketing and savings. German Delegation visits Trapaing Reusey village in Kampot province 
Last 7 March 2009, Dr. Josef Füllenbach, head of division South East Asia of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development met with farmers in Trapaing Reusey village, Damnak Sokrom commune, Dang Tong district. Ms. Kerstin Henke, Country Officer for Cambodia and Laos, accompanied him. Staff of the German government organizations KfW, GTZ and DED escorted the visitors. The visit was the last stop of a two-day trip to several development projects in Kampot province.The visitors had expressed the wish to learn about the status of Systematic Rice Intensification (SRI). Through the facilitation of Mr. Thy Bun Heng, CEDAC field coordinator, and his colleagues, the group met with Mr. Oun Sophal, national chairman of Farmer Nature Net (FNN). Mr. Oun Sophal briefly described the background of the GTZ project implemented until end of 2004. The most tangible results are the use of SRI practices by many farmers and a rice bank. With the support of CEDAC’s staff, the farmer association was able to maintain and expand the development efforts. Oxfam America's delegation Field Visit Monitoring 
From 23 February- 05 March 2009, a delegation from Oxfam America and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation visited the farmer groups of Saving for Self Reliance (SfR) project in some villages of Kampong Chnang, Kampong Speu and Takeo provinces. Seven people including Mr. Jeffrey Ashe, director of community finance of Oxfam America, Mr. John Ambler, Vice President of Oxfam America, Mr. Brian Lund, Regional Director of Oxfam America, Ms. Joyce B. Lehman, Program Officer of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ms. Krista Lynn of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ms. Janet Van Zandt, Director of Institutional Support of Oxfam America and Mr. Tath Sok, CEDAC's staff member joined the field visit. The objectives of the visit were to:
SfRiP's Quarterly Progress Report (for November 2008 to January 2009) With Funding support from CARE, the Promoting Saving for Self-reliance in Pailin (SfRiP) project has been implemented by CEDAC since August 01, 2008. It is now operating smoothly and is on track. The project has drawn the interest of the most vulnerable villagers to mobilize and use their own capital, much of which they had previously been investing on the borrowing costs incurred from outsiders and local money lenders. The villagers now seem to be more aware of such related costs and are willing to reduce their dependency on outsiders to become self-reliant in the near future. The project contributes to the building of collaboration and trust among villagers as well as access to safe and profitable financial services for the most vulnerable families. Up to the end of January 2009, the project has supported 29 saving groups comprising 699 members (of whom 42% are women). The total capital mobilized by all saving group members is 15,567,100 riels (equivalent to US$3,797). These saving groups are operating in 19 villages of 5 communes in Pailin province.
Workshop on Local Administration and Reform (LAAR) program
Provincial Annual reflection workshop Mr. Yi Kim Than as guest speaker of Working Group for Partnership in Decentralization (WGPD) On 06 March 2009, Mr. Yi Kim Than, CEDAC 's Program Officer, was invited by the Working Group for Partnership in Decentralization (WGPD) to be the guest speaker in the Lecture Series on Theories and Practices of Decentralization & Deconcentration for Civil Society to more that 70 participants from various NGOs and Universities. During this event, Mr. Yi Kim Than spoke about the CEDAC experiences and its strategies in promoting democratic local development during which he focused more on building the networks amongst Community Based Organizations (CBOs) for engagement with Commune Council. Since 2006, CEDAC has implemented the project entitled Local Administration and Reform (LAAR) which is supported by Pact/USAID. The goal of the project is to institutionalize participatory democratic practices within local government and activate sustainable links between commune councils, civil society, and the national level government that positively impact D&D reform. Besides this, CEDAC has also cooperated with Catholic release service (CRS) to implement the project, namely Civil Society and Pro-Poor Market in Kampot province. The objective of this project was to ensure that CBOs are more able to articulate needs and represent the interests of the poor and vulnerable for engagement with local government administration and to ensure these needs are reflected in planning and development. Training on Local Governance for Rural Development
The Economic Development Network (EDN) meeting On 05 February 2009, Mr. Sim Kong, Program Director of CEDAC’s Research and Development Consulting Services attended the Economic Development Network (EDN) meeting at the NGO Forum at Cambodia's office in Phnom Penh. 13 people representing various NGOs attended this meeting. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the key challenges for the agriculture sector and budget issues relating to priority sectors for accelerating poverty reduction in Cambodia. The initial findings and analysis of the 2009 national budget law were also presented during the meeting for information sharing and seeking agreement and comments from EDN members on the analysis. The meeting also sought direction from EDN members to finalize the analysis before the next Government-Donor Coordinating Committee (GDCC) meeting which is expected to be held in March, 2009. Happy Mountain Bird Video Films During the third phase of the implementation of the Happy Mountain Bird (HMB3) project, CEDAC has produced two educational video films entitled "Real Knowledge- Rich Wealth" and "Have Knowledge - Have Honor" aiming at increasing parents’ and children’s awareness of the importance and necessity of education so that all children in the target villages attend school. The films will be screened to educate parents and children as well as to encourage parents to send their children to school. The films were also sent to Television stations, Non Governmental Organization and International Organization for their further dissemination. The project "Happy Mountain Bird: Ensuring Access to Primary Education for Children of Poorest Family (HMB3)" is funded by Mr. FUKUSHIMA Yasuhiro, a retired Japanese businessman and is implemented by CEDAC since August, 2008. The primary goal of the project is to ensure that 1500 deprived families from 210 villages in Kampong Chnang province are able to overcome poverty and send their children to school. Since 2004, CEDAC has been implementing the Happy Mountain Bird project to improve primary education in rural areas in Takeo, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu and Svay Rieng province. The Progress of Saving for Self-Reliance Group Saving for Self-Reliance (SfR) was initiated by CEDAC in the year 2003 to support farmers to establish and manage Saving for Self-Reliance groups. As of January, 2009, there are 5,140 saving groups with 76,063 members including 45,878 women. The scheme provides enhanced access to community-led saving and credit services in 2, 835 villages, 531 communes, 84 districts and 17 provinces of Cambodia. The total amount of savings is now approximately 7,032 million riel (US$ 1.7 million). NEW CEDAC's LIVE RADIO PROGRAM CEDAC is now broadcasting a new Live Radio Program titled "Somroh Srok Sre” (Rural view) with Phnom Penh Radio Station FM 103 MHz (Every Wednesday from 17:00 – 18:00). The objective of the program is to increase public awareness, particularly for the Phnom Penh residents about the Agriculture and Rural Development works of CEDAC. Please keep listening to our program. While being entertained, listeners will gain more knowledge of Agriculture and Rural Development. There are also prizes for listeners. Mr. Fukushima’s Field Monitoring From February 16-19, 2009, Mr. Fukushima Yashuhiro, the donor of the Happy Mountain Bird (HMB III) project, conducted a monitoring and evaluation of this project. It was his 3rd visit since the project started last 1 August, 2008. His aim was to see whether the project was continuing as planned or not; to verify the progress of the project and to review the project’s strategies and approach to possibly enhance the implementation. During the visit, Mr. Fukushima talked with Community based facilitators (CBFs), children education promoters (CEPs), and target families. He met with staff members to reflect on the visit, and give his feedback on the finding and discussed on how to improve the project implementation. He also facilitated the development of some forms to check the status of the education. He further asked all participants to write down ideas; those that more people valued were selected. He was very pleased to see that 377 out of 533 target families (70.73%) are improving their lives by growing vegetables. Overall, Mr. Fukushima was satisfied with his four days visit as he found that the suggestions during his previous visit were applied. Cooperation between CEDAC and Blue Moon Fund CEDAC and the Blue Moon Fund or BMF (US), a new partner of CEDAC has signed a cooperation agreement which aims to promote and support CEDAC's SRI marketing program. Through this agreement, BMF will provide loan to CEDAC in an amount 270,000 USD for one year from February 2009 to January 2010. CEDAC will use the loan provided by BMF to purchase organic SRI paddy from producer groups. The paddy will be milled and marketed in Phnom Penh and exported to Europe and the US. Profits from the marketing will be shared with the producers and used by CEDAC to support more rice farmers. The BMF loan will contribute to the reinforcements and expansion of CEDAC's activities in improving the lives of around 4,000 small rice farmers in Cambodia through increasing rice production. This will be done by using the environment and health friendly technologies and incomes from rice marketing. CEDAC and TPO Agreement On 02 February 2009, CEDAC signed a Partnership Agreement with Trans Cultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO Cambodia) to provide a collaborative approach to poverty reduction in rural Cambodia. This Agreement defines the roles of each Party in conducting this collaboration for fours year, from 1st January 2009 to 31 December 2013. The Agreement reflects a mutual commitment in supporting communities in the Kingdom of Cambodia, enabling them to play a full and effective role in the fight against poverty. Lessons learned in the previous projects of both organizations have been inspirational in developing this joint collaboration. CEDAC perceives many advantages to TPO Cambodia through this collaboration. This approach enables those severely disadvantaged by their mental health status to improve both their mental and physical health, thus becoming more active in village life and in seeking livelihood and farming opportunities to sustain their futures. TOP Cambodia sees advantages in working closely with CEDAC to improve livelihoods and offer food security and family income to villagers after successful interventions from TPO. This synergic approach will ultimately help to lift poor people out of poverty. Rice Outlook for January 2009 By Dr. Yang Saing Koma and Mr. Winfried Scheewe CEDAC, 21 January 2009 CEDAC has been involved in monitoring the situation of rice prices since early 2008. The main purpose of this is to provide reliable information to CEDAC’s marketing team in the setting of prices for paddy and milled rice. CEDAC also aims to inform producers, other stakeholders as well as consumers about the situation of rice and rice prices. In 2009, CEDAC intends to produce an update on the Cambodian and international rice market on a monthly basis. Read more...
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12:00 - 13:00) "Samroh Srok Sre" with Sarika Radio Station FM 106.5 MHz (Every Thursday from 16:00 – 17:00)  
 
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| Number of Visits: 53458 |
| CEDAC Head Office Address: |
| CEDAC, Street 257, #119, Sangkat Teuk La-ak I, Khan Toul Kok Phnom Penh, P.O Box 1118 Tel: 855-23 880 916; Fax: 855-23 885 146 Email: cedac@online.com.kh |
Over 900 farmers from Kampong Tralarch, Sámi Mean Chey and Roleaphea district, Kampong Chhnang province gathered on Monday 15th June 2009 to exhibit their naturally farmed agricultural products during the general meeting of ILFARM-KTL&SMC project beneficiaries at Salalekpram primary school, Kampong Tralarch district, Kampong Chhnang province. Other participants included Mr. Ith Nody, under secretary of state in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the provincial governor, the president of CEDAC, the Latter Day Saints Charity representative, Provincial and District Department of Agriculture and CEDAC staff members. The objectives of the meeting were to increase awareness of naturally produced crops amongst farmers and consumers and to congratulate farmers on their achievements during the three years of this project.
On 25 February 2009, CEDAC organized a Provincial Annual Reflection workshop on Local Administration and Reform (LAAR) program in Kandal Steung district, Kandal province, with the participation of 91 participants of which 19 were women. The composition of the participants included: Provincial Local Administration Unit, Provincial Facilitation Team, District Facilitation Team, Commune Council, Project to Support Democratic Development through Decentralization and Deconcentration (PSDD), Director or deputy director of line department, Provincial Treasure, representatives of NGO, and district governor. The objectives of the meeting were to present the progress and achievements of LAAR in 2008, to reflect upon what has been working and what has not, the reasons why, and to identify recommendations and strategy for implementation of LAAR in 2009. The workshop was supported by USAID through Pact Cambodia. As a result, we came up with many ideas for improving the LAAR program, especially on ways to cooperate with the stakeholders of the project.
On 26 February 2009, CEDAC organized a Provincial Annual Reflection workshop on Local Administration and Reform (LAAR) program at CEDACs' office in Takeo province with the participation of 150 people, of which 19 were women. The composition of the participants included: Provincial Local Administration Unit; Provincial Facilitation Team; District Facilitation Team; Commune Councils; Project to Support Democratic Development through Decentralization and Deconcentration (PSDD); Director or deputy director of line department; Provincial Treasury representatives of NGO; district governor and CEDAC's staff members. The objectives of the meeting were to present the progress and achievements of LAAR in 2008, to reflect upon what is working and what is not, the reasons why, and to identify recommendations and the strategy for implementation of LAAR in 2009. The workshop proceeded smoothly. All participants were given an opportunity to discuss their concerns and what that considered should be improved. As a result, we explored many ideas for improving LAAR program, especially on how to cooperate with the various stakeholders of the project. 
With support form the Netherlands Fellowship Program, Mr. Yi Kim Than, CEDAC 's Program Officer, participated in the international training course on Local Governance for Rural Development which was organized by Wageningen International from 9 - 20 February 2009, in Wageningen, the Netherlands. The objectives of the training were to learn how to deal with the complexity of governance and engagement with multiple actors; increase the understanding of participant organization's current and desired position, roles, and interests in relation to local governance for rural development as well as how to work with multi-stakeholders, social learning concepts and methodologies for institutional change. There were 27 participants who came from various countries including Cambodia, Ghana, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Philippines. The topics covered in the training aimed to identify good local governance, explore institutional trends and implications for local governance, multi-stakeholder and institutional analysis, institutional change through Multi-stakeholder processes, social accountability tools, local economic development, social delivery etc. 
From January 19-23, 2009, CEDAC together with AsiaDHRRA held the Second Regional Training Workshop entitled "Complying with Market Requirements on Food Safety and Product Quality" under the Linking Small Farmers to Market Project (LSFM) at Monoreach Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. The project was supported by the ASEAN Foundation in Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam and by the World Rural Forum in Indonesia. This workshop aims to enhance the awareness, knowledge and skills of participants from 10 Asian countries on the importance of food safety and product quality standards so that they become the initiators, implementers, advocates and supporters of initiatives which support small farmers to upgrade their capacities necessary for the production of quality and safe food and agricultural products.