How Phum Khtum Agricultural Cooperative Supports Farmers in Cambodia
We first met Ms. Tab Mom through our Khmer Agriculture for the Future Accelerator program. Right away, her dedication to helping farmers and improving their livelihood captured our attention.
As the chairwoman of Phum Khtum Agricultural Cooperative (AC) in Oddar Meanchey province, she has worked tirelessly to support local farmers and strengthen the communities.
- Kuntheavotey Mech
A Little Backstory of Phum Khtum Agricultural Cooperative
Established in 2012, Phum Khtum Agricultural Cooperative began by offering small-scale loans to farmers. Over time, it expanded its services: agricultural irrigation in 2013, fertilizer trading in 2015, and cassava production in 2023.
Today, in 2025, Phum Khtum Agricultural Cooperative is actively running all four business areas. It is also moving forward with large-scale rice production—a clear sign of its steady growth and resilience.
A Vision Rooted in Care for Farmers
Curious about what drives the cooperative, we asked Ms. Tab Mom about her motivation.
“We formed with a clear vision,” she shared. “We don’t want to see our farmers suffer from unstable markets that drain their effort and money. In many cases, they have no choice but to migrate to make a living. It’s heartbreaking to see them leave their families, and it’s even harder when young children are left behind with their grandparents.”
She continued, “Because of this, we want to be a support system for our farmers—someone they can rely on. Even small support can be enough to keep a family together and a farmer rooted in their land.”
Leadership Built Through Experience
The more we learned about Ms. Tab Mom, the more inspired we became.
She is a single mother who attended school only up to grade 3. Still, that never stopped her from taking on leadership. Then, she began her role as chairwoman of the cooperative without a salary, driven purely by her commitment to serve farmers in her community.
Over time, she strengthened her skills through training and hand-on support from local partners. As a result, she gained knowledge in partnership-building, documentation, and cooperative management.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared:
“Thanks to the Commune Department of Agriculture and other key stakeholders who provided hands-on support, I gradually learned more and more. Eventually, I gained the confidence to lead this agricultural cooperative and continue supporting our farmers.”
Watch the video below to learn more about the journey of Phum Khtum Agricultural Cooperative through our Khmer Agriculture for the Future Accelerator program.
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