Since 1998, farmers (mostly rice farmers) have started to organize themselves into village-based as sociations and networks, with support from CEDAC. The associations are playing an important role in promoting mutual help, solidarity and cooperation among villagers, as well as coordinating and undertaking collective action in developing ecological agriculture, natural resources management, cooperative business practices and community development.

The typical activities of the associations are agricultural extension, community led savings and credit schemes, group marketing, training for young farmers, capacity building for women’s groups, support for poorest families, awareness raising on issues related to conservation of natural resources, advocacy with local authorities etc. Farmers associations have also played an important role in influencing local development policies and challenging local authorities to be more responsible for community development and natural resources management.

By July, 2008, there are 1,181 village based farmer associations in 13 provinces of Cambodia (with around 34,294 members) established with support from village based farmer association and CEDAC, and the number has been strongly increasing since early 2004. The associations are linked together in an independent national network or confederation called “Farmer and Nature Net” or FNN.

The first general meeting of the net was organized in Siem Reap in December 2003, and the second general assembly was held in December 2004 in Kampong Cham. The general assembly elected 13 members to the network committee and 60 representatives to the special assembly. The committee and special assembly are expected to carry out statutory duties, represent FNN to the public and provide capacity building support to member associations. In December 2005 the third general assembly of FNN was conducted. December 2006 the fourth general assembly (GA) was organized in Takeo province with around 1 000 representatives of VFA participated. The fifth GA was organized in March 2008, reelected the new FNN committee for the third mandate and long term strategic plan were organized.

Besides, CEDAC there are many partners who support the national FNN. They include, Oxfam GB, Oxfam America, AFDI (French Agriculturist for International Development), CFSI (French Committee for International Solidarity), DANIDA (Danish International Development Assistance), FNS (Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Germany), AFDI (Agriculteurs Français et Développement International) and Agri-Terra (Netherlands).

In March 2006, the FNN was registered officially as a national farmer association. The FNN is also now the members of AFA (Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development) and LVC (La Via Campesina).

Contact: FNN Secretariat Mr Tath Sok, General Secretary, tathsok@online.com.kh c/o Natural Agri-Product #689B1, Kampuchea Krom Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

• Training of Trainers Course on System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
• CEDAC opens its new Natural Agri-Product (NAP)
• implementing the Saving for Self-Reliance in Pailin (SfRiP)