CAMBODIA – Sdeikrom fishing community ventures into fish sauce production

Battambang Province, Cambodia — Along the banks of the Sankae River in Prek Loung Commune, fishing is a source of livelihood more many people. For Mak Srey, a member of the Sdey Krom Rohal Soung Fishing Community in Battambang’s Eh Phnom district, the abundance of fish every November and December brings hope, but also hardship.

“During those months, there are plenty of fish in the river,” she explains. “But since there are people who catch fish illegally, the buyers don’t want to purchase from us. The price drops so low that we can’t make a profit.”

Faced with this challenge, Mak Srey and other fishers are seeking ways to add value to their catch. Through the support of the Farmer and Nature Net Association (FNN), the national implementing agency of the APFP-FO4A program in Cambodia, Mak Srey received training in fish sauce production so she can transform her surplus catch into a new source of income.

“I was sent to Koh Each commune to learn how to make fish sauce,” she explains. “Before, we made fish sauce the old-fashioned way, by burning sugar. Now, we use leftover fermented fish paste and fresh fish, which we ferment for six months. It’s a better and more sustainable process.”

FNN provided raw materials well as technical assistance and encouraged fishers such as Mak Srey to join training workshop and knowledge sharing sessions, empowering them to diversify their income. Today, she produces fish sauce organically, selling it within her village, to visiting groups, and during training workshops with other organizations.

Though her fish sauce has not yet reached the wider market due to the lack of branding and packaging facilities, it has already won local praise. “Those who’ve tried it said it’s tastier than other fish sauces,” she says with pride. Her 500ml bottles sell for KHR 3,000 (USD 1), while smaller ones go for KHR 2,000 (USD .50).

Mak Srey dreams of expanding her business. “I want to increase production,” she shares, “but I still don’t have a clean, proper place to work. I hope for support to build a small structure so I can make more fish sauce safely.”

Through initiatives like this, FNN and the APFP-FO4A program are helping rural fishers and farmers in Cambodia move toward sustainable livelihoods, turning local knowledge and community cooperation into opportunities for growth.

The APFP-FO4A program is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding support from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.