Roots at Risk: The Value and Vulnerability of Kui Traditional Farming Methods
- Souheang Ly
- May 5
- 4 min read
Updated: May 8
Like many other indigenous groups, the Kui people in Cambodia have created distinctive farming techniques that are closely linked to their cultural customs and natural surroundings. Their approach to self-sustaining farming illustrates thorough stewardship of the land, employing methods that foster harmony rather than extraction. They gather several produce including various mushrooms, leaves, and resin and cultivating crops like wild fruits and vegetables, frequently in ways that resemble the conditions found in forests. Polyculture and intercropping, in which several crops are cultivated together to enhance soil health and the sustainability of the natural resources in the area. According to the Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO), they are primarily found in Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kratie, Stung Treng, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, and Uddor Mean Chey, Cambodia. While specific details can vary based on geographic location and local conditions, here are some key farming methods and practices commonly associated with the Kui Indigenous in Kampong Thom.
Let's Meet CHHEUN!
26-year-old Chheun Yea, a Kui youth himself, provides his insights, worries, and information regarding the Kui people's traditional farming methods based on his observations and experiences. He is a young person who is involved in the community and is known as the student coordinator because he volunteers to lead reading and traditional dancing clubs for students in Tralaek Chas, his town, and the neighboring villages.
Shift cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, agroforestry, intercropping, and polyculture are becoming less and less common these days. He stated that the majority of people are forced to practice monoculture since they are unable to enter the forests where they once practiced traditional farming. The concession of land is one of the primary causes.; for instance, in 2017 Kampong Thom Investment Sub-Committee granted a total land concession of 925 hectares located in Kroya commune, Sontuk district, Kampong Thom province for Golden Farming Investment Co., Ltd.
Traditional and Sustainable Farming Methods from the Kui
“In our traditional farming, we choose which crops to cultivate based on the location—such as forest, swamp, or mountain—and the seasons,” says Somphours, a young Kui woman passionate about preserving the culture and traditions of the Kui people. “I would say there are three forms of farming that we practiced and still continue to practice, though less than in the past,” as Chheun previously explained to distinguish between the various farming methods used today.
Shift Cultivation: This practice entails cutting and burning vegetation to clear small areas of land or forest. The ash thereby fertilizes the soil. The land is allowed to fallow to regenerate naturally after two or three years of cultivation prior to being cultivated once again. Chheun's family typically allows the plot to be reclaimed by nature for four to five years before returning to plant crops there.
Agroforestry: It is a regular practice to incorporate trees and bushes in agricultural landscapes. Besides habitat and shade provision, this also improves soil fertility by contributing organic matter through roots and leaf litter. Alternatively, they would plant soybeans near forests so that the bean vines would climb up the trees and spread without the need for poles.
Intercropping and polyculture: The Kui frequently interplant several crops, which raises biodiversity, improves resistance to pests, and optimizes the use of available land. They cultivate cashews, cucumbers, eggplants, watermelons, rice, corn, soybeans, chili, and sesame in their intercropping farm.
Traditional Seed
The Kui have a long history of preserving seeds of the most robust and productive crops. By doing so, they can make sure that their crops are genetically diverse and strong, which helps them to flourish in the local climate. "These days, traditional farming is declining due to the loss of our land and forests, which reduces seed preservation because we no longer have area for farming. Most of these crops—such as corn, rice, watermelon, pumpkin, and cucumber—are no longer grown using traditional seeds,” says Somphours.
To divert attention from the problem, let me explain how we typically preserve the seeds for the upcoming planting seasons. We do this by hanging high-quality seeds over stoves in the kitchen, which deters insects from consuming them.
Community-Based Knowledge Sharing
Through oral tradition, community gatherings, and learning through doing, traditional farming practices are generally handed down from one generation to another. Being community-based, the practices will remain relevant and adaptive. Chheun explained that he joined the Aeltey since he was young (the communal mutual help till) and from there he learned shift cultivation.
In addition, they always perform rituals to pacify the spirits, their ancestors, the land, and other resources before planting and harvesting seasons.
It's challenging but we have HOPE!
The Kui Indigenous farming methods are effective, but they are threatened by industrial agriculture, land loss, climate change, and other contemporary agricultural pressures. As forests increasingly become concession land, Somphours added that she fears the loss of traditional shift cultivation, fishing, and non-timber forest product harvesting. She indicated that people move to other towns or to neighboring countries, particularly Thailand, to work to earn money for themselves and their families when they are unable to attain their basic needs.
Other than riverbank forests, Andas is a village that lacks as much forestland compared to other villages. Therefore, we can prevent further devastations of the existing forests by establishing collective rotation farms by collectively purchasing community land to plant traditional crops. Somphours completed the sharing with optimism and hope.
In short, viability, respect for nature, and profound cultural meaning define Kui Indigenous farming practices. In light of today's environmental challenges, these practices offer valuable lessons in resilience and environmental stewardship that are ever more applicable. By promoting and revitalizing these age-old practices, we can pave the way for sustainable agriculture that respects indigenous knowledge.
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