Farm in sights for trade team

A team of Noosa tradesmen are organising a trip to Cambodia to help establish a farm. Contributed

Gail Forrer-Arnold
1st December 2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

After an expedition to Cambodia in June, Project Vietnam vice-president Phil Johnston, of Noosaville, is now completing the final plans that will transform a barren piece of virgin land into a flourishing organic farming plot.

Next March Mr Johnston, along with a dozen other Sunshine Coast men and women, is taking time off from his everyday job and spending 10 days in the village of Palin, Cambodia.

The team is made up of builders, electricians, plumbers and Noosa’s long-time hairdresser Colin Smyth.

The project evolved after a conversation with a Cambodian bureaucrat last year. At that stage the team was over there building an orphanage that could look after about 100 children.

But Mr Johnston believes this project has the potential to benefit a far greater number.

“The vegetables grown on the 2.5 hectares of land can help about 500 people in the village,” he said.

The plot will be set up just outside the village of Palin, about seven-and-a-half hours from the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The villagers who live there now do not understand farming practices. Their settlement was a result of government policy after the ending of the civil war.

“About one third of families there are headed by women,” Mr Johnston said.

“It was given to people who couldn’t make a go of it in the town. These are not people who know how to farm,” he said.

The aim of the farm is to provide ongoing food and income for the villagers.

During the 10 days the team, alongside villagers, will hire machinery to plough the land. With supplied seed and fertiliser, they will plant the first crops, followed up with construction of a drying and storage shed.

Project Vietnam is entirely self-funded. Each team member funds their own transport, food and accommodation. They will also be funding all farm materials and plants, together with the wages of four Cambodian farm workers, until the farm is income generating.

If you would like to know more contact Phil Johnston on 0411 59 3055.

“About one third of families there are headed by women.”