“We need resilient cashew production, not just higher yields.”
When Ly Kimsuy talks about cashew farming, he does not only talk about yields or prices. He talks about the health of the trees, the people who grow them, and the communities that depend on them.
For Kimsuy, a cashew farmer in Kampong Thom province, sustainable cashew production is about more than increasing yields. It is also about keeping farms productive and healthy, reducing costs, and building resilience to a changing climate.
“If we do not practice sustainable farming and rely too much on chemicals, the cashew trees will not be resilient to climate change, and it can also affect the health of people in the community,” he explains.
It is one reason why Kimsuy has chosen to make his own farm a living example of more sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices, while sharing what he learns with farmers around him.
A farm built to withstand change
Kimsuy is one of the key farmers who has received training on climate-smart agricultural practices and established a demonstration plot showcasing a range of sustainable practices and technologies, with support from the European Union (EU) and Germany through the EU-German CAPSAFE project.
Kimsuy started farming cashew in 2019 with just one hectare. At the time, like many farmers, he faced the challenge of maintaining production through irregular rainfall while managing the costs of farm inputs.
Over the years, he began applying more sustainable and climate-smart practices on his farm. He introduced intercropping with galanga and turmeric, cover crops, pruning and sanitation measures, and installed a solar-powered irrigation system using water from his own pond.
He also began producing liquid fertiliser from compost and vegetables, which can reduce production input costs by around 40%. Through intercropping, he also expects to generate additional income from other crops.
The changes have helped Kimsuy improve both the productivity and resilience of his farm. In 2025, he harvested around 3 tonnes of cashew per hectare, compared with the typical 1.5 to 1.8 tonnes per hectare in the previous years. His solar irrigation system also gives the trees a more reliable water source during periods of irregular rainfall.
For Kimsuy, however, the impact goes beyond higher yields and lower costs. These practices help maintain the health of his soil and trees while preparing the farm to withstand a changing climate.
But Kimsuy does not see his results as something to keep to himself.
From one farm to a community
As a key farmer, Kimsuy’s farm serves as a demonstration plot for climate-smart practices, including soil and nutrition management, agroforestry, solar-powered irrigation and improved crop varieties. He also provides training to farmers, reaching an estimated 300 farmers.
His support goes beyond farming techniques. At his production input shop, farmers come for advice on how to use pesticides correctly and make liquid organic fertiliser. He also shares business and negotiation skills to help farmers make better decisions when selling cashews.
For Kimsuy, this role is part of a bigger responsibility.
If individual farmers change how they manage their farms, he believes the benefits can extend beyond their own fields, helping protect the health of the wider community and strengthen the resilience of the sector.
Sustainability beyond a single harvest
Kimsuy’s experience has also changed what he sees as his role as a farmer. The training and support he received gave him new approaches to test on his own farm but applying them in practice taught him what works in the conditions around him.
Now, he shares that experience with other farmers. His farm has become a place where they can see the practices for themselves, ask questions, and decide what they can apply on their own farms.
For Kimsuy, this is where his journey as a farmer becomes bigger than his own four hectares. He wants to keep learning, keep testing new approaches, and help other farmers make changes that can last.
From one hectare to four, Kimsuy has grown his own farm. But his bigger ambition is not measured in hectares. He wants to see more farmers adopt practices that keep their trees healthy, their land productive, and their communities safe for the future.
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About Mr. Ly Kimsuy:
Mr. Ly Kimsuy is a cashew farmer in Kampong Thom province and key farmer of the EU-German CAPSAFE project. He manages a 4-hectare farm, producing cashews for both local and international buyers. He also runs a farm input business through the TIPO Choukchey Serisamaky Samaky Agricultural Cooperative, supporting farmers in his community.
As a key farmer, Kimsuy has received Training of Trainers (ToT) and established a demonstration plot where he applies and shares sustainable and climate-smart farming practices with other farmers. He is one of around 4,000 farmers supported through the project, which is co-funded by the European Union and Germany and implemented by GIZ Cambodia.
About the EU-German CAPSAFE project:
The EU-German Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (EU-German CAPSAFE) project is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Cambodia.
The project works closely with public and private sector partners to strengthen Cambodia’s cashew and pepper value chains through climate-smart agriculture, improved compliance with international standards, and enhanced local processing and market access. It supports farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses to increase competitiveness and connect with regional and international markets.
Learn more about the project: EU-German Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems | GIZ
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