Exploring climate-smart agriculture adoption in Cambodia

May 1, 2025

The Crawford Fund’s highly sought after Student Awards are one way we support and encourage the next generation of Australians into study, careers and volunteering in international agricultural research.

The awards are funded by our State and Territory Committees and made possible by organisations including ACIAR, international centres, Australian and overseas universities and NGOs who host our awardees.

Applications for the 2025 Student Awards, and the inaugural Henzell Awards are now open for students at Australian universities! Applications close 12 May 2025.

Sixteen talented university students from around Australia were awarded our 2023 Student Awards. As part of this cohort, we would like to share the experience of Su Su San, a PhD Student from the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University, who travelled to Cambodia to collect data on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption among smallholder farmers.

“My research thesis has two primary objectives. The first is to examine the current climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies in Cambodia, assessing their adoption levels and impacts on farmers’ livelihoods at the household level. The second objective is to investigate the affecting factors to CSA adoption particularly the role of women’s participation and empowerment, as well as the influence of social network factors,” said Su Su.

With these broad aims, the specific objectives of Su Su’s project were to:

1. Explore the impact of CSA technology on crop production, income and welfare of smallholder farmers.
2. Examine the farmers’ perception and identify the motivations and constraints regarding CSA implementation.
3. Investigate the role of women’s participation and empowerment in CSA adoption.
4. Evaluate the influence of social network on the adoption of CSA.

Climate change poses a critical threat to global ecosystems, with profound impacts on agriculture, the foundation of food production and the economy. Tropical and subtropical agriculture in developing countries is especially vulnerable, as rain-fed farming remains the primary source of food production. Poor and marginalised groups, highly dependent on agriculture, are particularly vulnerable due to limited adaptability. Cambodia, where rain-fed farming dominates, has already faced severe climate disruptions, endangering agricultural productivity and worsening food security explained Su Su.

The adverse effects of climate change can be mitigated through adaptive strategies, ranging from minor production adjustments to transformative changes in agricultural systems. An approach to achieve this is through the adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA). CSA enhances productivity, builds resilience, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, however despite advancements in CSA technologies, adoption remains a challenge for mitigating climate change impacts, reducing poverty, and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

“The purpose of the travel was to collect data for my PhD research by conducting focus group discussions, key informant interviews, a follow-up survey, and a case study survey in Battambang and Kampong Thom provinces in Cambodia. Within a year of data collection, multiple field visits were conducted in both provinces, including two trips for focus group discussion, two trips for questionnaire testing, one trip for survey and case study data collection,” she said.

The visits allowed Su Su to gain a comprehensive understanding of Cambodia’s rice-based agricultural system, gender disparities, women’s empowerment, and social networking within the local context.

According to Su Su, several challenges were encountered during data collection, including language barriers and farmers’ time constraints. These challenges were addressed through strategic planning, collaboration with local partners, and flexible scheduling.

“Preliminary findings from focus group discussions reveal that the primary motivator for adopting mechanised direct-seeded rice (mDSR) technology is its financial benefits, including increased yield, higher returns, and reduced production costs, particularly through lower seed rates and seed expenses. Conversely, adoption is hindered by limited access to service providers and a lack of awareness and technical knowledge about CSA technology,” she said.

“Initial findings from the case study on the role of social networks in CSA adoption suggest that adopters have stronger social connections, particularly in accessing CSA-related information and financial resources. This highlighted the critical role of social ties in knowledge dissemination and resource access,” said Su Su.

Women’s participation in agricultural decision-making plays a crucial role in shaping CSA adoption outcomes she explained, and findings suggest that higher levels of women’s empowerment are associated with a greater likelihood of adopting CSA technologies. Key factors that enhance women’s empowerment include agricultural land ownership, group membership, and access to credit, all of which contribute to their ability to adopt and implement CSA practices.

“Based on the preliminary findings, policymakers and development organisations should prioritise the promotion of mechanised direct-seeded rice (mDSR) technology for widespread adoption in Cambodia, given its potential to increase yield, enhance income, and improve household food security. Despite these benefits, adoption rates remain low due to limited awareness and institutional support,” she said.

To address these challenges, it is essential to provide technical training on CSA technologies and facilitate knowledge sharing through government extension workers. Additionally, fostering business model collaborations with the private sector can improve farmers’ access to mDSR services she said.

“Targeting and engaging key actors who serve as connectors between different farm groups can enhance the spread of knowledge and information and encourage broader adoption,” she said.

“As women’s empowerment positively influences CSA adoption, policymakers should focus on strengthening key enabling factors such as agricultural land ownership for women, inclusive participation in organizations or community-based groups, and improved access to credit. Addressing these aspects will enhance women’s decision-making power and contribute to the successful adoption of CSA technologies,” she said.

“Moving forward, the research will proceed with in-depth data analysis, followed by the dissemination of findings and policy recommendations for policymakers and development organizations. These insights will be shared through academic publications, international conferences, and the research thesis,” she concluded.