Alternate wetting and drying period (AWD) pilot. Kanghot irrigated perimeter, Battambang province

Rice is a daily staple food for more than half of the world’s population but is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Rice paddies account for ~48% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from croplands. Although Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a methanereduction practice for irrigated rice field, has shown an increasing interest among public and private actors lately, successful projects showing large practice adoption by smallholder farmers remain few. As part of the Dei Meas pilot1 (ASSET/FFEM) and WAT4CAM program phase 1 (AFD-EU), synchronized agriculture and AWD practices were tested with smallholder farmers in Kanghot irrigated perimeter, Battambang province, during the 2nd cycle of rice (October 2024 to January 2025). This small-scale pilot aimed to support the adoption of collective farming practices among rice farmers, and to identify the benefits and challenges of AWD in the targeted area.

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Title Alternate wetting and drying period (AWD) pilot. Kanghot irrigated perimeter, Battambang province
Description Rice is a daily staple food for more than half of the world’s population but is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Rice paddies account for ~48% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from croplands. Although Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a methanereduction practice for irrigated rice field, has shown an increasing interest among public and private actors lately, successful projects showing large practice adoption by smallholder farmers remain few. As part of the Dei Meas pilot1 (ASSET/FFEM) and WAT4CAM program phase 1 (AFD-EU), synchronized agriculture and AWD practices were tested with smallholder farmers in Kanghot irrigated perimeter, Battambang province, during the 2nd cycle of rice (October 2024 to January 2025). This small-scale pilot aimed to support the adoption of collective farming practices among rice farmers, and to identify the benefits and challenges of AWD in the targeted area.
Agroecology Category
  • Nutrition and diets
  • Sustainable food system
  • Climate
Agroecology Keyword
  • Nutrition and health
  • Sustainable food system
  • Climate change
Contributing organisations Swisscontact, CIRAD, SmartAgro
Author Pierre-Antoine VERNET, Thy Vandet, Sophal Koun, Sodina Soeurm and Sarith Yoeurn
Year 2025
Type of document Scientific & Research
Language English
Country Cambodia
Administrative Level 1 Battambang
Administrative Level 2
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