The Cause

Everywhere in the world, communities depend on some sort of grain to support its population by providing the basis for the easily produced and stored calories. As a result, the mono-culture of grain tends to take over diversified farming in most rural communities.

This trend impoverishes communities in two ways: firstly by depleting soils and exposing cultures to pests and secondly by promoting a restrictive, grain-based diet upon families. To address the issue, farmers increase the input of chemicals in their rice fields in an effort to preserve a livelihood centered around rice. But their diet increases risks of hypertension and diabetes.

Two address both issues, Community First launched in 2014 the Global Reasoned Agriculture Institute & Network in an effort to curb the excessive use of chemicals that plagues the rural communities of emerging nations throughout the world because of mono-culture, and its impact on health.

The mission of the Institute is to fund and develop the resources that are necessary to promote agricultural practices that uphold the international standards for food safety and to educate the farmers in an effort to integrate them to the global export markets.

 

Our Work

Currently, the Community First’s G.R.A.I.N. Initiative is in the research and development phase. Prior research has however shown that dramatic amounts of chemicals are making their way into the produce of emerging markets, such as Cambodia.

At stake is the ability of local farmers to meet international quality standards, and their ability to sell their excess product abroad. In the event the agricultural produce does not qualify for export or local sales, prices are dropped across local markets and all farmers pay the price of excessive chemicals in the food supply.

Studies in Cambodia point towards the misuse of pesticide and fertilizers. Most of the normally safe chemicals used in agricultural that are available in Cambodia are shipped from Vietnam or Thailand. As a result, Cambodia farmers must deal with labeling and instruction in a foreign language.

Currently, Community First is researching the various chemicals being used in rural Cambodia in order to itemize them. Subsequently, brand-specific materials as well as a training program will be developed in Khmer and distributed to farmers in an effort to help control chemical input in the environment.

 

 

With the means to move large quantities of water around the community, villagers can now afford to think about expanding their farming activities.  But with rice at the center of the Cambodian diet, crop diversification is often an issue. A typical rural Cambodian meal will primarily consist of a large quantity of rice, some vegetables if available or affordable, and very little meat, if any at all. Our initiative intends to change this.

Due to the scarcity of some resources, such as capital and infrastructure, and the loss of knowledge and savoir-faire, which occurred during the Khmer Rouge Rule, Cambodian villagers are in dire need of both equipment and training.

Community First’s agricultural initiative begins with the creation of home gardens, with a particular focus on alternative crops. Villagers are trained by our team of agricultural specialists, and given the basic tools they need to jump-start a new venture.

Long beans, morning glory, cucumbers, cabbages, and other produce soon contribute to a healthier diet, as well as a new source of income for the entire family.

Our agricultural initiative is typically implemented alongside a self-help group. Each member of the group contributes financially towards a savings fund. Other members can then borrow money against that fund to grow their initiative. This sustainable approach gives villagers access to a locally-based source of lending that is interest and collateral free.

 

What you can do

CONNECT / GIVE

 Giving $250 will sponsor a GRAIN training for a villager

 Giving $750 will sponsor a GRAIN training for a village