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Who are we?

Who are we (YAC24)?

A Consortium for the Promotion of Agroecology Among Cambodian Youth

YAC24 is the result of 3 organizations teaming up together: Vivre De Sa Terre (VDST), Bayon Education and Development (BED), and Sustainable Soil for Life Association (SSLA). This partnership allows them to combine their individual strengths for a common goal: promoting agroecology in Cambodia.

VDST brings their experience in farmer-to-farmer approaches and research, BED contributes with their educational programs in agroecology, and SSLA offers expertise in farmer development and market linkages.

They are all members of the ALiSEA network, a regional platform for agroecology collaboration. By working together under the umbrella of ALiSEA, they can share knowledge, conduct impactful research, and ultimately contribute to a wider shift towards sustainable agriculture in Cambodia.

What is ALISEA?

ALiSEA is a regional platform that enables local and regional agroecology stakeholders to leverage their knowledge and develop evidence-based studies that can be widely disseminated in order to assist a regional shift toward agroecology.

Vivre De Sa Terre – VDST

Vivre De Sa Terre – VDST has been empowering youth and vulnerable communities through farmer-to-farmer approaches and research-action projects since 2014. With 10 years of experience in agroecology, VDST is leading projects and initiatives for sustainable agricultures’ development and food systems’ transformation.

Bayon Education and Development – BED

Bayon Education and Development – BED has been providing access to education for vulnerable families in Siem Reap for over 20 years. Today, BED is a primary school, a vocational training in pastry and bakery, and a vocational training in agroecology.

Sustainable Soil for Life Association – SSLA

Sustainable Soil for Life Association – SSLA are professionals of farmer capacity development, youth vocational skills development, and market linkages. It aims at promoting agroecologically techniques and making them accessible among farmers in Cambodia.

Our Shared Vision–

An Agroecological Cambodia by 2040

Our Definition of agroecology

Agroecology is a science, a practice and a social concept describing agricultural systems which rely on natural processes, thus contributing to human well-being and to creating a healthy environment. Agroecology is promoting biodiversity and ecosystems’ natural cycles, basing itself on the enhancement of life and living beings. It is benefiting farmers through social activities, the promotion of food sovereignty, local markets, and smallholder farming: agroecology offers a variety of innovative farming and social practices for a broad transition to sustainable farming.

Agroecology as a future for Cambodia’s agriculture

We strongly believe that agroecology’s holistic approach paves a pathway to a sustainable agriculture in Cambodia. The benefits of its techniques are proven, and many farmers are adopting them and experimenting by their own. Today’s goal is to enhance this network of initiatives, so that they can multiply and grow together, providing models for the future. Youth has a major role to play, to be inspired and inspire others about what is a renewal of the agricultural sector.