Vermiculture Based Sustainable Organic Innovative Livelihood (V-SOIL) Project

Date: 1 January 2024 to 30 November 2024
Area: Pursat Province
Budget: Total 55,927 USD
Donors: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ADRA Czech Republic and MFAT New Zealand

Vermiculture Based Sustainable Organic Innovative Livelihood (V-SOIL) Project is managed by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Czech Republic/Cambodia with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with additional support through the ADRA/MFAT New Zealand ProMarket project. With the total funds of USD 55,927, V-SOIL will be implemented in Pursat province of Cambodia between January 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024.

The project objective is to introduce and promote vermicomposting business techniques in the Pursat province of Cambodia to improve waste management, soil fertility, agriculture productivity, and environmental conservation for local farmers and business entrepreneurs. The Project works alongside ADRA Cambodia’s Pro-Market (Sustainable Produce to Market Value Chain Enhancement) Project and the Pursat Department of Agriculture for providing training to potential sustainable vermicompost producers as well as promotion of the use of vermicompost products for safe, vibrant horticulture production and sustainable farmer livelihoods.    

In collaboration with experts from the Czech University Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, the project will build capacity of ADRA staff, Department of Ag. Extensionists, and Progressive Model Agro-Business leaders who will in turn train and mentor 12 potential vermiculture business leaders who are keen on investing in vermicomposting. These farmers will be chosen from progressive producers of ProMarket and be supported to establish small and medium scale vermicompost production capacity.  They will also engage local agribusiness networks and associations to raise awareness about the benefits and tested application of vermicompost products, directly impacting at least 120 farming households with the potential for broadscale benefits in environmentally sustainable production for farmers in Pursat and beyond.