"On behalf of Cambodian farmers, who are and will maintain the population of our country, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for your support and cooperation on this issue."

Yech Polo, Srer Khmer, Cambodia
 
Pesticides: a lethal cocktail<br />© EJF
Pesticides: a lethal cocktail
© EJF
Around 70% of the pesticides available in Cambodia are classified as "extremely" or "highly" hazardous by the World Health Organisation.

Illegal pesticides are widely available in Cambodia because the Government lacks the capacity to enforce its laws. Imported pesticides - especially from Thailand and Vietnam - are not labeled in Khmer and farmers are unable to read and understand the warnings on safer use. Some pesticides should not be on sale under any circumstances due to their toxicity. Almost 90% of farmers interviewed reported that they had been poisoned by pesticides.

This project aims to reduce the use of pesticides that are harmful to human health and the environment, and promote ecologically sustainable alternatives by raising public awareness amongst farmers.

Central to this programme is the training of a local Khmer NGO, CEDAC, enabling them to produce an educational video for distribution to rural communities across the Cambodia. Video is an invaluable tool for communication as it crosses the barriers caused by widespread illiteracy and enables Khmer farmers to share their experiences with each other.
 

EJF's achievements in Cambodia include:


  1. The Government of Cambodia announcing a ban on the import, sale and use of endosulfan following our publication and the launch of End of the Road for Endosulfan.

  2. Provided video training to CEDAC staff, enabling them to gather visual materials for an educational video. The video was broadcast on Cambodian television reaching a massive audience, but at no cost to either EJF or CEDAC.

  3. Death in Small Doses, a report on the problems of, and alternatives to, pesticide use in Cambodia was presented to Ministries in Cambodia, international donor agencies, media, business and NGOs as part of an advocacy strategy to raise public and political awareness. The report elicited the direct support of the Cambodian Prime Minister, Minister for the Environment and Minister of Health.

  4. Funded a staff member for CEDAC who worked with farmers and rural communities to develop and promote sustainable agricultural practices. EJF has also provided CEDAC with a motorbike (the only possible means of reaching many rural farmers).



Read more on pesticide use in Cambodia in EJF's report, Death in Small Doses.
 
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