Report of ERECON Extension Programs in 2021
Following extension programs were implemented in theprogram year of 2021 from 1st April 2021 to the end of March2022.
1. Program on Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservationin Asian Countries
1-1 Project of Reforestation for Sustainable Forest Managementin Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia (Phases 2 and 3)
The local residents in Kampong Cham Province have faced
hardships with climate change impacts such as droughts and flooding
because of low-density forests. This project aims to promotereforestation activities in pagodas and elementary schools with localresidents. It is expected to contribute to the conservation andmanagement of the forest for promoting an objective of “SustainableForest Management” in SDGs No.15. The reforestation activities
were conducted at two elementary schools in Stung Trung District inPhase 2, and at public lands around the lake in Prey Chhor District inPhase 3. Also, the workshops on “Importance of forest” were held forthe local residents, who formed a forest management group for
managing and monitoring the planted trees in the area.

by land conversion and illegal deforestation. Local residents haveinterests in sustainably managing the forest; however, the knowledge
and techniques are minimal. This project provides the local residents
the opportunities for reforestation activities to recover biodiversity
and workshops for deepening knowledge and technique onsustainable forest management and environmental conservation. The
reforestation activities were conducted at Doh Kromom Village in
Mondulkiri Province and Snoul Ker Pagoda in Kratie Province. As
local forest management groups were formed in each area, the groups
have been managing the planted trees.

Photo. 3 Workshop on plant propagation in Ratanakiri Province,Cambodia (Project 1-3)
1-3 Strengthening National Biodiversity and Forest Carbon
Stock Conservation through Landscape-based Collaborative
Management of Cambodia’s Protected Area System asDemonstrated in the Eastern Plains Landscape, CAMPAS(Phases 5, 6)
In Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri Provinces of Cambodia, thisproject has been implemented to establish the system ofcommunity-based forest management and rehabilitation incommunity protected areas (CPA). In 2021, a series of workshops
such as “seed storage”, “seedling management”, “seedlings’ pest anddisease management” and “plant propagation for commercialproducts” were conducted in the project areas of CPAs to enhancecommunity awareness and understanding of reforestation and habitat
restoration. Native tree seedlings produced by local communities
were planted for rehabilitating the degraded areas and creating theagro-forestry farms. After reforestation, CPAs members have been
maintaining and monitoring the planted areas, especially in the dry
season.
1-4 Project on Promoting Reforestation for Rehabilitating Rural
Environment in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia(Phases 1 and 2)
In Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia, 10,000 native tree
seedlings were planted in 10 districts in collaboration with 513 local
residents aiming to restore the environment of rural areas for future
generations. In addition, workshop on “Importance of Forest andBiodiversity Conservation” was conducted for local residents. The
planted sites are being managed by Forest Management Group
formed by local residents, who plays a central role in forest
management. Based on the questionnaire survey conducted to local

Photo. 1 Reforestation activity in Kampong Cham Province,Cambodia (Project 1-1)

Photo. 2 Group activity in Mondulkiri Province,Cambodia (Project 1-2)
1-2 Project on Greening for Satoyama Regeneration in Eastern
Cambodia (Phase 1)
In Mondulkiri and Kratie Provinces, biodiversity has been
severely damaged due to deforestation and forest degradation caused１residents, around 65% of local residents understood what they learnt
in the workshop and more than 90% were aware of how significant
for themselves to be involved deeply in forest management in theircommunity. The results testified the importance of continuing theenvironmental education through tree planting activity at thegrassroots level. In February 2022, university students from Japanand Cambodian students participated in volunteer activities tosupport reforestation, too. In Phase 2, reforestation activity is
continued and expanded in collaboration with local residents in 10
districts in Kampong Cham Province.

2. Program on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in AsianCountries
2-1 Project on Capacity Building and Women’s Empowerment ofAgricultural Cooperative through Production and Sales ofSafety Agricultural Products by Promoting Sustainable
Agriculture in Sre Santhor District, Kampong ChamProvince, Cambodia (Phase 1)
Local farmers in Srei Santhor District have been struggling tofind markets to sell their crops due to agrochemicals contamination,and their livelihood is at risk in terms of the environment. For thosereasons, this project aims to promote sustainable agriculture to local
farmers, particularly the Agricultural Cooperative (AC) members inSrei Santhor District, and build women’s capacity to sell their safe
agricultural products at better prices through their AC. During theprogram year of 2021, a series of workshops on sustainableagricultural practices were delivered to the local farmers, and thenumber of participants increased to 199 in total. In addition, the Srei
Santhor Agricultural Cooperative has been officially acknowledgedby the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), andthe collecting and shipping center has been established.

Photo. 4 Reforestation activity in Kampong Cham Province,
Cambodia (Project 1-4)
1-5 Project on Promoting School Environment Greening aiming
for Forest Environmental Education in Tbong Khmum
Province, Cambodia (Phase 1)
In Tbong Khmum Province, mixed deciduous forest being thetreasure trove of biodiversity has lost significantly due to huge land
conversion mainly to rubber plantation. Also, there are few
educational opportunities provided to local students and residents for
improving their knowledge and deepening their awareness onnecessary for conserving the local forest. Environmental education isneeded for children in order to strengthen the foundation forcontinuous forest conservation in the region. Therefore, the project
promotes greening primary school environment in Tbong Khmum
Province for enhancing forest environmental education to local
students and residents. Additionally, the workshops on “importanceof forest and biodiversity conservation”, the competition on “forestmanagement” are held at each school.

Photo. 6 Workshop on sustainable agricultural practices in
Sre Santhor District, Cambodia (Project 2-1)
3. Program on Environmental Education in Asian Countries
3-1 Internships and Trainings for Environmental Education
ERECON has been accepting some volunteers and interns every
program year, and offering internships or trainings using various
facilities such as training farms or seminar rooms in ERECON
Headquarters. In the program year of 2021, one Cambodian traineeand 11 Japanese students were accepted and taking internships andtrainings on the environmental rehabilitation and conservation as
well as the natural resources utilization for raising their awareness onimportance of natural environment and international cooperation.

Photo. 5 Land survey before reforestation in Tbong KhmumProvince, Cambodia (Project 1-5)

Photo. 7 Internship on managing the training farms in
ERECON Headquarters (Project 3-1)

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Photo. 8 ESD training in Kampong Cham Province,
Cambodia (Project 3-2)
3-2 ESD Training through Reforestation in Cambodia
As a part of “Project on Promoting Reforestation for
Rehabilitating Rural Environment in Kampong Cham Province,
Cambodia (1-4)”, two ESD trainings were conducted; one was online
in August and the other was face-to-face on site for 8 days from 14 to
21 February 2022. Totally 14 students from Japanese university and19 Cambodian students from the Royal University of Agriculture
participated in both trainings as volunteers to support reforestation
activity in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. Especially in theface-to-face training on site, every trainee could cumulate meaningfulexperiences through conducting reforestation activity, visiting rubberand cashew farms and bamboo bridge, etc. with deep perception of
the importance of conserving forests as well as natural environments.
3-3 Seminar on Effects on Climate Change on Agriculture andLocal Adaption
As a part of “JICA Training on Agricultural Policy” held from 13
to 23 December 2021 for the governmental officers of Bangladesh,Indonesia and Nepal, ERECON provided the seminar titled “Effectson Climate Change on Agriculture and Local Adaption”. Although
agriculture is strongly affected by climate change, it is also a major
source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and estimated around
20% of global greenhouse gases (GHGs) are from agriculture.
Accordingly in this seminar, “negative effects of climate change onagriculture” as well as “greenhouse gas emissions throughagriculture” have been focused. In addition, it was described local
farmers adaption of sustainable farming practices, such as no-till,
cultivating nitrogen-efficient crop varieties, integrated soil fertility
management, natural control of pests, and water harvesting including
effective irrigation are vital.
(Kumiko KAWABE and Keiko AOKI, Extension Center)３