Sansom Mlup Prey has announced that a partner, the Ibis Rice - Organic Wildlife Friendly Rice project, has purchased an unspecified amount of paddy from the environmental NGO’s wildlife-friendly farmers at up to 70 per cent above market price.
In a Facebook post this week, Sansom Mlup Prey noted that its Sustainable Rice Platform initiative encourages farmers to grow rice and deter them from deforestation, wildlife hunting, and forest encroachment.
The initiative trains farmers on how to produce rice in accordance with organic standards and supports them in their pursuit of new markets, the NGO said, adding that Ibis Rice is available in major supermarkets in Cambodia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, and Germany and soon in the UK.
“Our farmers’ commitments against deforestation, land encroachment, and illegal hunting and fishing are certainly rewarding, with good income to support the livelihoods of their families,” it said.
Farmer Sorn Sokhorn has been a part of the Sustainable Rice Platform since 2016.
She said: “I don’t have to worry about seeking markets and can focus fully on the rice production process. Being part of this programme really supports my family’s livelihood.”