Training

Between 2002 and 2007 FLD received funding from New Zealand’s NZAID and Canada’s CIDA to fight rural poverty in Kompong Speu and Kandal Provinces. A series of food security projects were designed to train farmers in family fish farming, small scale hatchery management, animal husbandry, livestock raising, home gardens, rice production and post harvest management. Short of funding support since then, and to maintain its focus, FLD further developed its training services into a commercial and self-financing enterprise, while delivering various agricultural courses.

Training in agricultural skills has brought very tangible rewards, as shown by the on-farm uptake of the skills and information trainees have put into practice:

• 621 chicken raising houses have been built

• 231 pig sties have been constructed

• 73 mushroom growing facilities have been established.

The scope of the training programme is as great as the needs of the rural communities that FLD work with. That’s why the Kuoy people of Preah Vihear Province have been trained in sustainable wild honey collection, some of their young women in rock sculpture, women in Kompong Speu Province taught to manufacture banana, yam and taro chips and women in Siem Reap Province taught weaving and dressmaking.

In all those instances, the products that the groups produce, utilise local resources. The end products are marketed by FLD’s marketing venture, Khmer Farmer Products.

Countless small businesses have been established, as a direct result of vocational skills training.

The courses:

Household commercial chicken raising	Household cash crop growing	Integrated farm management
Household mushroom growing	Training for rural community organisations	Starting your own business
Crop managemen	Introduction to financial management

FLD’s training methods

1. Discussion Learning

The trainer leads the group and manages content and process. The participants are encouraged to be open and share their knowledge, values and goals.

2. Self learning

Personal development through daily evaluation

3. Workshops

Field demonstrations and practical, hands-on experience.

4. Field visits

Observing and discussing working examples of relevant projects; very often with successful farmers.

Participation

With the exception of the ‘Get Ahead’ programme for young women, all FLD training courses are open to both sexes – anyone who wants to learn or improve their agricultural and business skills.

Courses can cater for a range of literacy and innumeracy abilities, though functional literacy – basic words and figures, not writing – is the preferred minimum.

The courses also cater for field staff and community facilitators from other NGOs.

At the end of each course a signed certificate of completion is issued.

Application

To apply for any course, please click here APPLICATION FORM complete the form, sign and send it to FLD

Fees

Course fees vary; please contact FLD. Discounts apply for payment up to two weeks before the course starts, and/or when five or more participants are booked.