The following report documents the livelihoods of some 2,000 families living on a large area of fertile red soil in Mean Rith Commune, Sandan District, Kampong Thom Province. The future use of this red soil area has been the subject of intense speculation since the clearing of forest and peoples agricultural fields, for the planting of rubber trees in neighbouring Tum Ring Commune. The company that did the forest clearing in Tum Ring (Seng Keang) allegedly have a contract to develop a rubber plantation in Mean Rith. The smallholder aspects of the rubber development in Tum Ring appear to be in the process of failure and many families are experiencing a decline in their livelihood security. Some villagers have not received the promised 3ha smallholder plots for planting rubber and several families who have are presently selling them back to the company, fearing they do not have the financial resources, expertise or livelihood security to wait 7-10 years before they receive income from rubber.
Learning from these experiences this report attempts to develop background and baseline information of the families currently occupying the red soils in Mean Rith. It is hoped that this information will be useful in developing advocacy strategies and to contribute to the discussion about what is the best use of these red soil areas. The red soil area in Mean Rith Commune is currently within a forest concession managed by the Cambodian Government backed Colexim company. The people living in this area currently have no secure land tenure rights. With the arrival of the rubber development activities in Tum Ring and a road built into the area by the Colexim Company, many people have cleared forest and claimed land in the red soil area of Mean Rith in the recent past.
1.1. Use of the red soils in Mean Rith Commune
Sketch mapping activities conducted as part of this research and observation have revealed that the former forested areas in the 4 Areas (villages) on the red soil areas of Mean Rith Commune have been cleared. The area is completely taken up by cash cropping farmers. Only Chom Phkar Area (village) claimed a forest collection area (on white soil).
1.2. Livelihoods
Livelihoods in this area revolve around the growing of cash crops and upland rice on chamka (fields). Average land holdings of people interviewed was 3.3ha and people say they are managing to earn adequate livelihoods, which are at least better than 10-12 years ago.
Average incomes per family from cash cropping were found to be 2,188,000r ($547) for 39 families interviewed. Total annual income from all sources per family (including cash cropping, upland and lowland rice production, resin tapping, rice milling, animal raising, etc.) is estimated at $783 (2,996,000r). Total annual income from all sources for the estimated 668 families living on approximately 2204 ha of land is estimated at $522,851 (2,091,404r).
1.3. Rumours of rubber development
Local people have heard rumours about rubber development and are worried about loosing their land. Some villagers are afraid to thumbprint any document (and even attend meetings) fearing this may be a document or an attempt to dispossess them from their land. According to the Sandan Assistant District Chief the Chup rubber company plan to build a road from Tum Ring through Mean Rith Commune to Sandan District town in 2005.
1.4. The Sandan District Authorities’ position
The people living on the red soils in Mean Rith Commune are not living in officially recognised villages and therefore not recognised by the authorities, which makes them vulnerable. The District and Commune authorities are encouraging the registration of all families living in these ‘Areas’ as a first step to provisional recognition. Provisional unsalaried ‘Area’ Chiefs have also been appointed. The District authorities appear to have little influence in decision making about future uses of the red soil areas in Mean Rith Commune. The Sandan Asst District Chief gave support to establishing community forestry to allow communities to manage the forests in Sandan District.