Business Development and
Rural Youth in Cambodia
Rural Youth - to stay or not to stay?
By: Sam Vitou
CEDAC
Rational

To date, six in ten Cambodians are under
the age of 25
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Eight in ten live in rural areas

The three main pillars of Cambodia’s
economy – the garment, tourism and
construction industries – cannot absorb the
approximately 300,000 new labor market
entrants each year

 What is needed now?
What are the challenges?

Poor levels of education and lack of
vocational training skills

Inadequately preparation for the next
generation of jobs, higher skill levels and a
more competitive economy

Increasing demand for local human
resources in local development, local
government, community-based
organizations and local farmers.
Main objective

The main objective of the Young Agri-Entrepreneur
programme is to impart skills to young people so
that they can take up a career in agriculture while
playing leading role in their communities
What is our intervention?


One year of theoretical and practical learning
Courses dedicated to agriculture techniques,
self development and business development
What is the criteria?



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Rural youth, from 16-30 years of age with at
least nine years of schooling
Children of poor farmers and especially
women are encouraged to attend the course
Three tests needed (written, oral &
Assignment)
Participants learn about the YAE course
from CEDAC staff or have parents who
already benefited from a CEDAC program
Learning from farmers/internship
YAE and their farms
Snowball effect



Many YAE are now active in various
affairs in their communities, such as
savings groups in their village
Many graduates are setting good
examples in their community and
attracting other young farmers in their
village to learn from their activities
>500 YAE graduate from the program from
7 provinces
Case Studies



Ms. Chai Sophy is a widow with two
boys. Through the YAE program,
she studied chicken raising,
vermicutlure, home gardening and
composting.
Before the YAE program, she grew
wet season rice and worked in
garment factories in Phnom Penh
during the dry season. As a
garment worker, she earned 55
USD per month.
Now, she no longer has to work in
the garment factories. As a farmer,
she supports a family of five and
can stay with her children yearround, and can make her own
business.
Case Studies (Cont.)



Mr. Sang Son studied
chicken raising, SRI and
vermiculture
Before, Mr. Sang worked
primarily as an electrician
to support himself and his
younger brother
He gained new
confidence as a farmer
and is experimenting with
new ideas, including
drawing up a plan and
budget for farm additions
Conclusion


YAE graduates become young leaders and
encourage other young villagers to become
entrepreneurs
Not only does this program give many young
people a new perspective, but it can also lead
to a significant increase in food production,
reducing food imports from neighboring
countries
Discussion
What business opportunities can be
created when combined vocational
training and entrepreneurship in the
rural areas of Cambodia?