As a model farmer, she showcased good agricultural practices. Having completed grade 8, she possesses a solid level of education. Her leadership qualities were recognized when she was elected as a department lead for the agricultural cooperative named Eco Farm Group. This cooperative is officially registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, promoting ownership and collaboration with the government, leading to greater sustainability.
Soda also plays a vital role in market linkages. Her natural interest in researching and coordinating market opportunities has been a significant asset. Over the past ten years, she has built extensive networks and liaised with customers across the country. Today, approximately 10 markets nationwide purchase products from the Eco Farm cooperative. Her cooperative, Eco Farm Group, currently has 279 members (222 women), with a management committee comprising seven members (six women).
Soda has received support in facilitation, coordination skills, and has participated in joint training with relevant departments.
“Provide more opportunities to women and farmers with disabilities. Organizations should value skills more than education background to include more people. Personally, I would like to develop more skills in management and technology, such as computer skills, to complement my existing experience.”
Soda is a highly committed community worker who first collaborated with PAfID as a model farmer under the project “Developing Innovative Livelihood Solutions in the Agriculture Sector for People with Disabilities,” in partnership with GRET. She worked on this project from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, based in Sotr Nikom district, Siem Reap province.
She initially became involved with GRET through a project called “Territories Committed to Agroecological Transition, Resilience, and Sustainable Food” (TETARD), funded from France. Soda’s engagement with GRET and CIRD dates back to 2010 when she participated in a Self-Help Group. Thanks to GRET’s regular technical support in agriculture, Soda emerged as one of the outstanding targeted farmers and was later promoted to the role of model farmer.
Currently, Soda serves as a community focal point for PAfID under the graduation-based social protection programme funded by UNDP. This programme supports 330 landmine survivors (111 women). She collaborates closely with 34 selected landmine survivors (7 women) to identify families most in need of support to enhance their livelihoods. Support is provided in the form of cash or assets. Soda then helps families develop basic business plans to ensure that resources such as chickens, materials for building a coop, feed, and basic agricultural supplies can sustainably lift them out of poverty; a situation made even more precarious by the climate crisis and global economic strains.
“I’m very happy to be directly involved in this project. I feel ownership and enjoy working with farmers with disabilities, seeing them benefit.”
She feels this opportunity allows her to work closely with persons with disabilities and takes great pride in her contributions. She is particularly happy to work with vulnerable and poor families, adding: “This makes me feel proud.”
Today, Soda is more confident than ever and believes that the project is truly special because it offers both training and the necessary resources to apply that training practically.
Looking ahead, Soda dreams of playing a greater role in facilitating inclusive agriculture to support the poorest farmers. She hopes to help all cooperative members achieve better lives and aims to share practical agricultural knowledge with the youth, who often lack hands-on experience despite having theoretical knowledge.
Published: 18 July 2025