Siem Reap, KH – CWC expands garden and increases productivity – 17 Mar 2017

The CWC family have turned their small plot of land into an extremely productive area where they grow various vegetables, fruits and they keep livestock. They have even built a seedling nursery where they produce enough seedlings for their own garden with enough left over to sell to neighbors.

CWC is a member of the Peaksneng Thormacheat Garden Shop and he takes it upon himself to be an example of organic growing best practice for his neighbors. He has built an irrigation system, he grows his own seedlings and he makes his own compost and natural sprays. From selling his vegetables to the market, CWC can make US$50-US$150 gross profit each month. His neighbors noticed how healthy his seedlings were and started placing orders with him which he sells for US$0.12 each.

Tending an organic garden in one’s home doesn’t only help reduce food costs and provide income for a family, it is also a great opportunity for the family to spend time together. CWC says that one of his favorite parts of the day is getting home and tending to the garden with his wife, four children and mother-in-law.

The CWC family have learned a lot about what vegetables to grow in their soil and how to maintain the nutrients in it. They produce their own compost and mulch but they are still challenged by the timing of harvests. Relay planting a garden is important because it enables the continuous harvest of vegetables The family are keeping a log of when they plant certain vegetables and when they are ready to harvest in order to maintain a consistent supply of vegetables to eat and sell.

The CWC’s are blessed with a modest robust home, but there are still seven people in a small house. He plans on building an extra room for his daughters who are growing older and is even planning on applying for the Peaksneng Thormacheat shop’s Rent-to-own program, so that he can secure them a better place to live in the future.