In a sun-drenched field in Trapaeng Pring commune, Kampot province, where rows of crops sway in the breeze and water flows steadily through a newly installed irrigation system, Lok Keansry stands as a visionary—a leader, entrepreneur, and seed pioneer transforming Cambodian agriculture from the ground up.
As he walked us through the land, pointing out how the water now reaches every corner of the field, Lok Keansry paused with quiet pride. “Thanks to support from Aide et Action / Action Education, farmers here have real tools—knowledge, equipment, and hope.”
Keansry is the CEO and Founder of KS Seed, a Cambodian company with a powerful mission: to grow resilience in the face of climate change by empowering local farmers with better seeds, smarter techniques, and sustainable livelihoods.
I started KS Seed because I saw how dependent Cambodians had become on imported vegetables and seeds,” he explained. “Farmers were mostly growing rice. The seeds available didn’t tolerate heat, drought, or disease. I knew we could do better—locally.”
Investing in Farmers, Fueling Local Economies
Under the EU co-funded CO-SAVED project, Aide et Action / Action Education has partnered with local changemakers like Lok Keansry to deliver real, tangible support where it matters most: in the field.
In Kampot and Sihanoukville alone, 142 farmers have received climate-adaptive training through farmer field schools. They’ve also been equipped with the tools they need to succeed: irrigation systems, seeds, nets, and batches that reduce harm and protect crops during the rainy season.
According to Keansry, “farmers are learning to work with nature—not against it. Some are now avoiding chemical pesticides.”
His life is rooted in purpose.
After graduating in Natural Resources Management, he could have pursued any career. But his heart was always in the soil. “I’ve always loved agronomy. I enjoy experimenting with seeds,” he says. “And I love vegetables—fresh ones. It’s about health. There’s a big difference in nutrients between a vegetable freshly harvested and one that’s just a day old.”
Made in Cambodia: Growing Strong from the Roots Up
Today, 65 farmers work on his seed production site in Kampong Thom, where he is originally from. Everything there is grown, tested, and harvested in locally, by local farmers.
His goal is simple: to help farmers, create jobs, and make people happy. When farmers have income, they have dignity. They feed their families. They contribute to the local economy.
KS Seed has now trained over 3 million farmers across Cambodia in its 20-year history—and they are not stopping. The company continues to grow, developing climate-resilient seed varieties tailored to Cambodia’s changing environment.
Stories like Lok Keansry’s remind us what is possible when innovation meets opportunity. In Cambodia’s coastal regions, we’re not only supporting livelihoods—we’re unlocking potential.
Together let’s continue to invest in local solutions to global challenges.
