Most people in Cambodia are farmers (80 per cent) and the agricultural sector is the major source of income for people in the country. Despite the importance of agriculture to Cambodia and good job opportunities, few are interested in agricultural science.

One of these few is 22-year-old Meas Soborn. He studies agricultural science at the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA). Now in his fourth year, he wants to become a biotechnology expert.

His ambition comes from his concern about dangerous chemical pesticides many farmers currently use to save their crops from pests. Though very effective, the chemical mace can cause harmful long-term effects: The soil is poisoned with carcinogenic substances and the plants’ genetic material changes, which may have harmful effects on consumers.

“Biotechnology holds the solution to less harmful pest control and can also benefit our environment by improving the soil quality,” Soborn said.

In his university there are biotechnology courses but they are only theoretical and not experimental. That is why Soborn hopes to continue his studies abroad after finishing his bachelor’s degree.

But until he can go abroad Soborn wants to know how he can gain some practical experience about becoming a biotechnologist.