Cricket farming transforms livelihoods in Cambodia
Across Cambodia, small backyard gardens play a vital role in feeding families and supporting local livelihoods. Farms of less than two hectares produce more than 70 percent of the food calories consumed in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In Cambodia, these backyards are central to daily life, offering essential crops and income for rural communities.
In the south of the country, farmers increasingly face the pressures of drought and heavy rainfall. By 2040, this region will see the greatest increase in rainfall in the country, and by 2050 it is expected to become Cambodia’s hottest area, with many days registering above 35°C. These changing conditions put traditional backyard farming at risk.
To help communities adapt, the Livestock Development for Community Livelihood Organization (LDC), a Cambodian NGO, is working closely with farmers to introduce new climate-resilient solutions. With support from the UNDP-Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA), LDC has developed floating cricket farms and resilient chaya gardens. Since 2023, 200 farmers have been trained in these new practices.