By Jessica Knierim | Development Associate
Wildlife Alliance continues to introduce innovative sustainable farming techniques to our Community Agriculture Development Project. The program aims to empower Cambodians to earn a livable and sustainable income so that they don't have to rely on slash and burn farming and wildlife poaching, practices that are detrimental to the forest. The Community Agriculture Development Project does this through training in modern agriculture techniques and marketing, and provides farmers with subsidized tools, irrigation and seedlings. Recently, the program has introduced farmers to a technique that is self sustaining, cost effective, and is made of recycled materials- aquaponics.
Aquaponics is the practice of combining aquatic animal farming and hydroponics in a symbiotic environment. It creates a a symbiotic ecosystem where the fish feed on the plants and then the fish’s excrement is used as nutrients to fertilize the plants. This creates a closed ecosystem, where the fish essentially feed themselves and do not require supplemental food. Additionally, the majority of the water in the aquaponics systems is recycled, making it even more sustainable and cost effective.
At Sovanna Baitong, community members have been consistently producing gallic, basilica, eggplants, sweet pepper, and fish in the aquaponics systems. The families not only use their aquaponics harvests for self-consumption, but can also sell their products at the local market. To produce the best agriculture, Wildlife Alliance has also taught families to create their own organic fertilizer through worm composting and composting grass and cow manure, and making a dry compost.
Your contributions allow us to bring these innovative techniques to rural communities. We hope you continue to support Wildlife Alliance in creating sustainable livlihoods in Cambodia!
By Sheena Thiruselvan | Assistant Director of Communications
By Sheena Thiruselvan | Assistant Director of Communications
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