Keeping Farm Workers Healthy

Longan, a fruit similar to lychee, is a popular fruit for export among Cambodian farmers. Longan is notoriously difficult to grow, and using chemical pesticides and fertilizers can help increase yields. However, chemicals pose risks to the environment and to farm workers’ health if not properly applied.

Yim Bunthoeun, a longan exporter in Battambang province near the Thai border, grew concerned about his workers’ health after observing the negative impacts of spraying chemicals without protective materials. He wanted to provide his workers with personal protective equipment (PPE), materials such as protective clothing, hats, gloves, boots, and respiratory masks that protect wearers against health and safety risks. Bunthoeun, however, wasn’t sure where to find these materials.

Yim Bunthoeun, a longan exporter, has introduced personal protective equipment for his farm workers
to help mitigate the negative health effects associated with improper chemical application.

Harvest II decided to help put a sustainable solution in place. To expand the adoption of PPE among longan farm workers, Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II hired an expert to train input dealers based in longan-growing regions on the importance of PPE, the safe use of chemicals, and how to improve product placement and air circulation in their shops. The training helped input dealers not only improve their shop conditions, but also build their capacity to provide accurate and appropriate advice to customers on safe chemical use, particularly using PPE.

Phut Borey, an input dealer and longan farm owner in Phnom Prek district, recognized the benefits to farmers of improved PPE use and chemical application methods – as well as the benefits to his business of providing PPE at his shop. Borey, a former farm worker himself, knows firsthand the negative health effects of inadequate protection from chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and was eager to grow his understanding of PPE and improve his shop conditions through the training.

“The training is very important,” Borey said. “I understand better which products are legal and safe to use. I’ve also learned to improve product arrangement. I place chemicals in glass cabinets to prevent them from affecting the air that we breathe.” Borey offers a promotion on respiratory masks to encourage farm workers to adopt PPE, and has also improved his own waste management practices, storing chemical waste in a safe place before burying it in the ground, rather than burning it, to minimize environmental impact.

It was through Borey that Bunthoeun, the longan exporter, was able to provide PPE for his workers – and they have already noticed a marked difference.

Vichet, right, and other workers on a longan farm have started using personal protective equipment
when they spray chemicals on the trees.

“I didn’t use any protective materials before,” said Vichet, a chemical sprayer who works for Bunthoeun. “I had headaches, dizziness, and chest pains.” Vichet used to spend his own money on medicines and treatment to address these issues, but after adopting PPE, his health is improving. “My boss bought these protective materials for all the workers,” he said. “I feel safe and secure. I don’t get sick like before.”

Through collaborative efforts to build understanding of chemical risks and the benefits of PPE, these longan actors are working together to ensure a safer work environment and better health for workers and consumers alike.