A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999

To identify the existing farming system in rainfed lowland rice ecosystem, a study was conducted in Chrok motes commune, Svay Teap district, Svay Rieang province, Cambodia. The study has examined the socio-economic factors and input management issues, which have significantly affected the farmer's food security concern. Furthermore, the study also tries to find out economic possibilities of income generation from agricultural farm enterprises and non/off farm income in the existing farming systems. The study indicated that the existing farming system is dominated by rice crop even though the productivity is low, the farmers are still continued to grow due to ensure food security. Furthermore, even though input application for both project and non-project participants but rice productivity is difference due to difference in term of management practice. The farmers who have been involved with CRS project have significantly higher agricultural income than in the case of non-project participant group. Based on annual income analysis it is found that 79% of non-project participants and 59% of project participants fall in food deficit category. When capital are not constraint, project participant group should produce pig enterprise, which provides the highest profitable among farm enterprises. However, given limiting capital and available labor in the farm, the vegetable enterprise should be produced due to it gives the highest rate of return. For, non-project participants, with given capital constraint, the chicken enterprise should be produced, which provides the highest profitable. However, if limiting capital but surplus labor in the farm, vegetable should be produced because it provides the highest rate return to family labor. Rice production in the study area should not extend the area of cultivation because low income and environmental constraint lead to limited the productivity.