Inner Strength:Threat-Free Future for Cambodia

To all of you who have always supported us, we are pleased to share the latest report on the project ”Inner Strength: Threat-Free Future for Cambodia”!

Background: During the 30-year civil war, between 4 and 6 million landmines were buried in Cambodia. Battambang Province suffers the most severe landmine contamination, and many people continue to live in vulnerable environments there. We have been supporting vulnerable people in this area to encourage income diversification through chemical-free vegetable gardening and livestock breeding, based on the principles of agroecology.

Since January 2023, we have been implementing a project to strengthen the management of an agricultural cooperative in Samlot District, Battambang Province, Cambodia.

Previously, this agricultural cooperative was managed solely by its executive members. To strengthen the cooperative's operational capacity, this project facilitated the hiring of new staff, with Terra Renaissance providing comprehensive training and development. By the project's end, the goal is to increase the cooperative's revenue to a level that can sustain operational costs, including the salaries of these new employees.

This month, the cooperative achieved a major milestone by selling its first batch of pigs raised in partnership with vulnerable households in the community. These are no ordinary pigs; they are a rare breed known locally as "Mouse Deer Pigs" in Khmer, prized for their unique qualities and considered a delicacy. The cooperative purchased these pigs from the families we support and roasted them whole for sale, generating valuable income for both the cooperative and the participating households.

The sales were going well. However, when we calculated the profit for one day, it was less than $1.

Indirect costs other than material costs are not included in necessary expenses. As it is, it will not contribute to the profits of our association.

In analyzing the low profit, discussions with the cooperative members highlighted two primary challenges.

1. Weight Loss During Roasting: The pigs, being of a high-fat breed, experienced significant weight loss during the roasting process, resulting in a lower-than-expected yield.
2. Unforeseen Labor Costs: The Cooperative Chief had authorized additional wages for the staff involved in slaughtering and preparing the pigs, a substantial expense that significantly impacted the overall cost.

To address these challenges and improve profitability, we organized a meeting with the cooperative staff and the Cooperative Chief to discuss the pig sales process and identify solutions. 

To address the issue of weight loss, the cooperative decided to mitigate the risk of sales fluctuations due to variations in individual pigs by selling the pig in parts rather than by weight.

The second challenge,  the additional wages paid to the staff who butchered and cooked the pigs, has been a recurring topic of discussion. While fair compensation is crucial, the cooperative needs to establish clear guidelines for when additional wages are warranted.

Furthermore, it's essential for the cooperative staff to understand the importance of generating revenue and their role in achieving this goal. The cooperative's leaders have been volunteers since its founding, but new staff were hired to strengthen operations. To pay these staff and sustain the livestock support program, contributions to the cooperative's revenue-generating activities are essential.

Following discussions, it was decided that no additional wages would be paid for butchering and cooking the pigs this time. However, recognizing the demanding nature of the work, a small allowance was provided to cover the cost of cold drinking water.

It was truly encouraging to see the Cooperative Chief and the staff members actively engaged in discussions, generating ideas, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to improving the pig sales. We will continue to foster the cooperative's ownership and autonomy, working together to ensure they achieve financial self-sufficiency after the project concludes.

We kindly ask for your continued support.

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