Adopting New Net House Technology

Tasei AC’s Net House Exercise Yields a Rewarding Business Enterprise 

Cambodia’s horticulture sector faces a set of complex challenges, from extreme temperatures and water stress to pest and disease management. Farmers are impacted by drought and flooding, plant damage from high temperatures and pest outbreaks, and though these difficulties constrain agricultural output, Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II and its farmers see opportunities to pursue and test alternate production techniques.

Net housing is an innovative approach to farming, which creates a natural barrier between crops and a sometimes harsh environment: providing shade, reducing heat, controlling plant development, and preventing insect access. This farming method promotes increased yields with minimal pesticide use and provides protection from extreme weather, facilitating off-season production. 

As Tasei Samaki Agriculture Cooperative (Tasei AC) experienced production constraints, members undertook a unique plan of action, opting to experiment with net housing food production. In September 2019, Tasei AC began with 7 net houses, and after recognizing the benefits of this novel technique first-hand, have expanded production to include 30 net houses, each approximately 10 m. x 30 m.

Harvest II collaborated with an input dealer Song Mouy to invite an expert from Thailand to introduce and advise Tasei AC members about crops appropriate for net houses, as well as production techniques.

In addition to net housing, seed selection and proper fertilizer use can help further improve yields. Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II connected Tasei AC to Song Mouy, a reputable input dealer in Battambang to help him choose the right seeds. Song Muoy in collaboration with Harvest II invited an expert from Thailand to further advise Tasei AC on successful net housing crops, raising seedlings, land preparation and other production techniques.  In addition, Harvest II connected Tasei AC to grantee Husk Ventures to use husk biochar which helps regenerate the soil and grow healthier crops. These connections led to increased yields and quality, as well as expanded markets.

Throughout construction of the net housing, some of Tasei AC’s members observed and learned the construction process from the professional builder. Applying this knowledge, they began offering construction of net housing at a more economical price than a professional builder. They officially launched their new enterprise in May 2020, providing building services to AC members and other farmers.

Tasei AC has built 30 net houses so far and aims to complete construction of 100 net houses by the end of this year.  Mr. Muy Veasna, a 21-year old AC member shared, “Last year, the AC had only 9 net houses and I got just one but now we have 30 net houses and most members including myself have 3 net houses.”

Mr. Muy Veasna is using husk biochar to improve his production in this net house.

Harvest II worked closely with Tasei AC to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to encourage the adoption of safe vegetable cultivation under net house production by other producers. Initial findings suggest that if farmers invest about $2,500 in a net house, they can recoup the investment after five to six crop cycles. The production technique provides the opportunity for year-round production, ensuring consistent supply and reduced pesticide usage and improving food safety for consumers and boosting product diversification.

Experiencing the benefits of net housing, Tasei AC, in collaboration with Harvest II, promotes alternatives to continue developing the local vegetable production system and showcase the technology to other farmers. Through adopting innovative solutions and working together, the horticulture sector in Cambodia creates more opportunities for producers, buyers and consumers alike.