Eleven communities took part in the 3rd solidarity seed festival held on March 21-22 in Boribor district of Kampong Chhnang province, where they exchanged seeds between each community that are from plant strains preserved since ancestral times.

The first seed festival was initiated by communities in Siem Reap province in 2021, and in 2022 it was held in Battambang province.

Approximately 600 people are expected to attend this year’s event – themed “Together We Protect Traditional Seeds to Preserve National Identity” – in Boribor district. They include smallholder farmers, small-scale food producers, fishermen, ethnic groups, youths, community artists and land communities.

Hy Sochan, vice-president of Anhchanh Roung Sakmai Thmey agriculture cooperative, said 11 communities took part in this year’s seed festival in the district.

He said that, through the seed festival, the communities can share seeds from fruits, vegetables, grains and other plants with one another in order to be able to cultivate a greater variety of crops in their localities.

During the festival, they also organised a fair where they bought and sold other products made by the households that comprise the communities.

According to a press release from the seed festival, its purpose is to disseminate and share knowledge pertaining to the preservation of traditional plant varieties, natural farming techniques and environmentally sustainable agriculture in order to promote farming that reduces the cost of agricultural inputs for small-scale farmers and food producers, as well as reducing the impact of the use of chemicals in agriculture.

The festival included, among other activities, an exchange of seeds and agricultural products, a Buddhist ceremony, cultural and artistic events and performances and the opportunity for farmers from different parts of the Kingdom to meet with each other and engage in dialogue.