Community Empowerment of Household Duck Farmers through Economic-Based Assistance in Cambodia

Abstract

This article outlines a community service activity aimed at empowering rural households in the Phneat sub-district of Serei Sophon municipality, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, through the optimization of household duck farming. The community faces challenges related to poverty, limited access to formal technical training, and vulnerability to market fluctuations. The objective of this intervention was to enhance the livelihoods and financial resilience of local farmers by providing targeted mentoring and assessing the economic viability of their current practices. The implementation method involved direct mentoring, technical training on farm management, and the application of standard agricultural economics metrics to a representative farm maintaining a flock of 3,500 laying ducks. The intervention resulted in improved knowledge of cost management, biosecurity, and operational efficiency among the participating farmers. Furthermore, the economic analysis served as a crucial tool for empowerment, demonstrating that the enterprise is highly profitable. Findings showed that for every 1 riel invested, the farm generated 4.50 riels in revenue, with a break-even threshold of only 14,810 eggs against an annual output of 960,000 eggs. The impact on the community includes strengthened financial self-sufficiency, improved strategic planning against external threats like feed price volatility and disease outbreaks, and a sustainable pathway for poverty reduction and job creation in the region.