THE CHALLENGE OF ATTITUDE CHANGING IN
RECEIVING NEW METHOD OF MR. THOUNG KHEAR

After practicing PEA in Koh Poun village, the HARVEST Project team found a “hot spot” and the real needs of the people were low crop yields. Because of this, ADRA has decided to provide a new from of technical assistance to increase their production. This is called Ecological System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Mr. Thoung Khear is an innovative farmer living in Koh Poun village, Rohas Commune, Rovieng District. He was the first farmer receiving this method (SRI) in the pilot activity. Before he had always cultivated rice in the traditional method and received low yields. He received this because he knew that if he does not change his traditional method; his level of production would not change. Thus he said that he must experiment with this method (SRI) in order to receive high yield, even if this years experiment proves to be unsuccessful he still plans to continue to do it and thinks that it is a lesson and good experience for next year. In implementing, he also is comparing new methods (SRI) to others especially comparing local seeds with modern seeds. This pilot, he is doing on three rice fields, the size of each field is 400m2 for SRI implementing and he is using three different seeds types to compare, two are local seeds (Prich and Malish rice) and one is modern seed (Phkar Romdoul which has been provided by ADRA.

In Mr. Thoung Khear first try at implementation, he was  criticized a lot by other villagers, including neighbors from the time he started planting until transplanting was finished. The reason was that after transplanting, they could not see that his field had any rice.  However, he was not saddened, but instead felt motivated. He is trying hard to follow up the technical/methods which he was taught by ADRA. After 1 month, his rice plants which are spaced 30 cm. apart have become dark green.  While the first week, one could just barely see the single blades of rice sticking up, now, the field is full of blades with the average plant having an average of 35 tillers. Thus every critical word has been silenced and they also said “it is really good” and they also have stated that they want to follow up this method next year.

Although, Mr. Thoung Khear was criticized heavily in the beginning, for changing from his traditional method to a new method (SRI), he still is trying hard and looking for new methods (innovations) to implement to find success for him and his fellow villagers. This farmer has clearly demonstrated that he is willing and determined to make good in this activity, and we consider that he is a master modal farmer in his village.

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