Water Dependency and Livelihoods of Rice Farmers in Doung Khpos commune, Cambodia

Abstract

Although the livelihoods of the households in Doung Khpos commune are encompassed of different strategies, the dominant one is rice farming. The main water sources for rice farming in Doung Khpos commune are rainwater and canals, both of which are constrained by either seasonality or functionality. With unreliable water supplies for rice farming and frequent drought, water dependent livelihoods are exposed to higher threats.

Due to the non-availability and unpredictability of rainwater, the lack of water in the canals or the water commodification, some rice farmers were not able to grow rice all year round. The household income was reported to decrease; meanwhile some households had to borrow money to cover the household expenses. Some rice farmers coped with the household financial shortages by reducing the amount of food intake or asked the children to help with income generating activities which inevitably force them to skip or quit school. The growth and development of children could be impacted owing to the household economic insufficiency.

The majority of the rice farmers did not have solutions to cope with the water challenges for rice farming. With limited coping mechanism or capacity to deal with frequent flood and drought, in conjunction with no support in relation to water for rice farming from any stakeholders, the vulnerability of the rice farmers in Doung Khpos commune is high.

Improved water management, capacity building to the local community on climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness and water governance, are believed to enhance the livelihoods of the rice farmers in Doung Khpos commune.