Mr. Tith Sam Orn, 71-year-old former soldier, has five children—two sons and three daughters. He lives with his wife and his widowed son. The family supports itself through vegetable farming and a government pension of about $500 per month. In April 2024, Sam Orn was identified as The Climate Resilience for All (CREFA) project beneficiary due to his active farming and advantageous location with year-round water access.

Since joining the project, Sam Orn has participated in trainings on advanced agricultural techniques including vegetable cultivation, organic fertilizer production, financial management, and climate change adaptation, provided by Oxfam partner, Farmer Livelihood Development (FLD). With the knowledge gained and essential materials from the CREFA project—such as plastic basins, tubing, green nets, and resilient vegetable seeds—he has significantly improved his farming practices.

The Climate Resilience for All (CREFA) project is a yearlong project led by Oxfam. It involves a consortium of nine organizations specializing in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, climate resilience, and policy dialogue. CREFA aims to increase the resilience of Cambodian systems and individuals, transforming the risks of climate change into opportunities for sustainable development through effective and efficient adaptation and mitigation responses. The story of Sam Orn serves as a compelling example supporting this project.

Expanding his agricultural efforts, Sam Orn now cultivates a wider variety of crops including maize, chili, eggplant, cucumber, and pineapple. This diversification has significantly boosted his farming income, increasing from $125 to $250 per month over the past couple of years. Moreover, Sam Orn generously shares his knowledge and experiences to fellow farmers, having already mentored five individuals on achieving high-yield vegetable cultivation.

Recognizing the challenges posed by climate change in vegetable farming, Sam Orn acknowledges the necessity for ongoing assistance from relevant stakeholders in areas such as technical guidance and market pricing. His dedication to sustainable agriculture and knowledge-sharing underscores his commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of his community.