Life on the Farm

Volunteer hands gently drying coffee beans. Photo by Kuch Sophea.

Like many other farmers, life on our plantation requires immense hard work, physical strength, and high attention to our crops. From dawn until dusk, season after season, we witness the cycle of nature—from the tiny seeds to sprouts, growing into branches, budding leaves, blooming flowers, bearing fruit, and eventually ripening and returning to the earth.

Our plantation is home to a diverse range of crops, including coffee, avocado, banana, cocoa, jackfruit, pineapple, and more. We cultivate these varieties based on the specific soil conditions and the geographical layout of our land.

In the face of the global climate crisis and water scarcity, planting “Cover Crops” is vital for the health of both the soil and our main produce. While we grow many things, our priority remains Coffee. To support this, we have strategically planted bananas, jackfruit, avocados, and luxury timber trees like Rosewood (Krahnoung) and Pterocarpus (Thnong) throughout the farm. These trees help maintain humidity, act as windbreaks, serve as natural shields against pests, and attract beneficial insects, allowing us to avoid chemical pesticides.

The Nursery

Our volunteer staff planting coffee seedlings in nursery bags. Photo by Kuch Sophea.

We also maintain our own nursery. Beyond producing seedlings for our own use, we distribute them at reasonable prices to farmers from various provinces who seek quality plants raised in our specific mix of soil and compost. Having a nursery ensures we have a steady supply of new plants to replace those that perish and significantly reduces our overhead costs. Most importantly, we focus on breeding climate-resilient varieties by selecting seeds from “mother trees” that have already adapted and thrived in our local environment.

1. Dry Season Tasks (December to May)

We cut banana trees to cover the ground around our main crops such as coffee and cacao. Photo by Kuch Sophea.

Irrigation: Our farm work is strictly seasonal. During the dry season, the primary task is watering. Although the plantation is located on a plateau with limited water sources, providing adequate hydration is essential for growth. The best times for irrigation are in the morning (7 AM to 10 AM) and late afternoon (2 PM to 6 PM), at least twice a week.

For farmers in the Bousra area where water is more abundant, once the coffee plants reach 3 to 4 years of age (when the branches begin to meet), they may only water 2 or 3 times a month using “Big Gun Sprinklers” for long durations (1 to 2 hours). The goals are:

To provide moisture and wash away debris from the leaves.
To “wake up” the coffee trees from their dormant state before the rainy season arrives. This mimics early seasonal rains, encouraging the plants to sprout and flower early.

What is Plant Dormancy?

It is a natural condition where plants suspend growth during unfavorable weather. In mountainous regions, this occurs during the dry season. Plants will shed leaves, and grass turns from green to yellow. The intense sunlight and leaf shedding help eliminate pathogens like harmful fungi and bacteria. However, if the heat is too extreme for too long, it can still cause damage to the crops.

Maintenance & Soil Health

We regularly clear weeds and clean the areas around the base of the trees. We use a “mulching” technique, covering the roots with banana trunks and leaves to reduce evaporation and retain soil moisture. Additionally, we produce “Seasonal Compost” using animal manure and Biochar. The use of Biochar makes the soil loose and “breathable,” allowing water to penetrate quickly to prevent root rot, while also increasing the presence of earthworms—our natural plowing agents.

2. Raining Season Tasks (May to November)

At the start of the rainy season, our volunteer staff helped prune and prepare the passion trees. Photo by Kuch Sophea.

Soil and Crop Management: The primary focus during this period is weed management through mechanical cutting (we strictly avoid chemical herbicides) and the planting of new seedlings. The main challenge of this season is the unpredictable rainfall. Excessive rain combined with limited sunlight can lead to fungal diseases.

To adapt, we clear away mulching and root covers in low-lying areas to prevent waterlogging and build up the soil height around the base of the trees to ensure proper drainage. For shade-providing crops, we selectively prune branches to allow enough sunlight to reach the coffee plants beneath.

Fertilization and Harvest: The beginning of the rainy season is the ideal time for applying compost. Rainwater also plays a crucial role by bringing down “Nitrogen” from the atmosphere, providing a natural boost to the plants.

Farmers in Mondulkiri often say: “The rainy season is the hardest time—it rains intermittently, and sometimes for ten days straight. But the sound of falling rain is the sound of falling money.”

This means it is the time for both planting and harvesting. It is the season to plant cassava and rice, while simultaneously harvesting avocados, durians, bananas, peppers, and coffee.

Natural Pest Control Mechanisms

Peanut flowers blooming on part of our farm. Their presence reveals rich soil, full of earthworms and life. Photo by Kuch Sophea.

We have moved toward the total elimination of chemical pesticides by relying on our “Natural Guardians”:

Birds They act as our primary inspectors, patrolling the plantation and feeding on harmful insects.

Beneficial InsectsWe plant a variety of colorful flowers to attract ladybugs and other beneficial predatory insects.

Pollinators For our plants such as Passion fruit, Avocado especially Arabica and Robusta coffee, the overwhelming presence of wild bees during the flowering season is the most positive sign of successful pollination and a bountiful yield.

The mutual dependence between the farmer and the ecosystem is our shield against chemicals. Respecting nature and utilizing resources “sustainably” ensures that nature survives, and in turn, we live happily and healthily.

We warmly welcome fellow farmers who wish to learn and experiment alongside us. We are happy to receive suggestions to improve our mission, contributing in our small way to Cambodian agriculture and the world.