In the heart of the coastal province of Kampot, Dy Sokna is demonstrating that cooperation and community support are key drivers of success. With determination and a passion for helping others, she is more than just a farmer—she is a true leader and an agent of change in her village, Kampong Nong.
Sokna’s journey began with a career at a private company, where she helped local vegetable producers by overseeing quality control and offering essential technical support. This hands-on experience not only deepened her agricultural knowledge but also set the stage for her future as an agricultural entrepreneur.
As her family grew, Sokna chose to step away from her job to dedicate herself to her home and loved ones. However, she didn’t leave agriculture behind. Instead, she opened an agricultural supply shop in her village, gaining valuable insights into the needs of local producers and the demands of the market. The shop also provided farmers with easy access to materials and seeds, contributing to rural sustainability.
Building on her growing expertise, Sokna later took on the responsibility of managing her family’s farmland. With 1,500 m² of land to oversee, she grew a variety of vegetables, including cucumbers, chillies, bitter melons, and wax gourds—helping meet local market needs while providing fresh, nutritious food for her family.
In 2024, Sokna received support through the EU co-funded CO-SAVED impact investment fund, delivered through a partnership between Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA) and Heifer. This support provided vegetable seeds and essential farming tools, including drip irrigation systems, nets, and insect sprayers. These resources helped reduce labor costs, increase vegetable production, and meet market demand.
Self-Help: Strength in Unity
Sokna’s impact didn’t stop there. She became the leader of a farmer self-help group in her community—an essential platform that empowers farmers, particularly women, to work together, share knowledge, and overcome challenges. Facilitated by the CO-SAVED project, these self-help groups provide technical assistance, market access, and funding opportunities, giving small-scale farmers the tools they need to improve their operations and thrive.
Since the start of the project, more than 2,500 farmers—70% of whom are women—have benefited from the formation of 132 self-help groups. For Sokna, the self-help group has been a powerful tool in increasing her income, with her vegetable farm now contributing nearly 50% to her family’s earnings.
More than just financial support, the self-help group has offered Sokna valuable opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual encouragement. Through the group, Sokna has gained the confidence and skills to tackle challenges such as crop diseases and fluctuating market prices—issues that often threaten farmers’ livelihoods.
As a leader, Sokna’s influence extends far beyond her own family. She has become a role model in her community, showing others the power of working together to solve problems and achieve shared goals.
Her self-help group has not only provided practical farming advice but has also fostered a sense of solidarity and hope for the future.
