1 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth

Workshop on
Gender and Climate Resilience and
Adaptation for Khmer Youth

CGIAR Asian Mega-Deltas Initiative

In collaboration with
Tra Vinh University and Can Tho University
28 February 2023 | Tra Vinh, Vietnam

2 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth

© International Potato Center 2023

ISBN: 978-92-9060-659-8
DOI: 10.4160/9789290606598

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the publication where the citation or material appears. Please send a copy to the Communications Department at the
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Citation:
International Potato Center. (2023). Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth. (CIP).
ISBN 978-92-9060-659-8. 17 p

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April 2023

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This publication is copyrighted by the International Potato Center (CIP). It is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

3 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Contents

Executive summary ............................................................................................................................. 5

Workshop Agenda ................................................................................................................................... 6
Summary and Notes ................................................................................................................................ 7
Opening thoughts ................................................................................................................................ 7
Session 1: Global youth movement on agriculture and climate change and why gender matters in
climate change .................................................................................................................................... 7
Session 2: Women's situated knowledge of the climate change context........................................... 9
Session 3: Introducing an innovation in agriculture: Sokfarm coconut nectar – A startup from local
natural resources...............................................................................................................................10
Student group work ...........................................................................................................................11
Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................15
Appendices ............................................................................................................................................16
1. Links to workshop materials .....................................................................................................16
2. Photos .......................................................................................................................................16

4 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Executive summary

Background

Mekong Delta Region of Vietnam has been affected by global climate change. While the effect of
climate change is global, its impact is unevenly distributed due to existing gender and social
inequalities in the society. For example, ethnic minority farmers in the coastal area depend heavily on
natural resources, experiencing greater impacts of climate change. However, their voices are rarely
reflected in climate adaptation policies and agricultural technology development.

CGIAR Asian Mega-Deltas Initiative prioritizes co-production of knowledge and co-design of

agricultural innovations based on varied needs and interests. In particular, the initiative seeks to
incorporate voices of young people, women farmers, and ethnic minorities.

In this workshop, we invite young ethnic minority students at the Agriculture and Aquaculture School
of Tra Vinh University to join in this co-learning opportunity and share their ideas and opinions from
the perspectives of their gender, ethnicity and generation.

Objectives

The four key objectives of this workshop are set as follows:

1. Increase the awareness of climate crisis and its impact on agriculture and aquaculture in the
Mekong Delta Region of Vietnam.
2. Understand the process of marginalization and exclusion by gender and ethnicity in climate
policy and climate adaptation.
3. Raise youth voices on climate crisis.
4. Exchange ideas on climate adaptation and innovation in agriculture and aquaculture.

About participants

30 Khmer students who are currently studying at Tra Vinh University joined this workshop. There were
equal numbers of male and female participants. Most of the students (22) are residents of Tra Vinh
province, and a few are from Soc Trang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Quang Tri provinces.
Participants’ university majors are Biotechnology (27%), Aquaculture (23%), Agriculture (20%), Food
Technology (17%), and Animal Medicine (13%). Dr. Thach Thi Dan, Tra Vinh University Vice Rector
provided an opening speech for the Workshop.

Key outcomes

The workshop was a great opportunity for the students to improve their awareness of the current
situation of climate change in the Mekong delta and Tra Vinh. For most of them, it was their first
exposure to the idea of gender and diversity in climate adaptation, as well as global youth movement
leaders such as Greta Thunberg and events such as COP27. They were also greatly inspired by the
sustainable agribusiness model of Sokfarm, led by a Khmer woman.

The group work activity encouraged the students to reflect, form and exchange ideas on gender,
diversity and how to cope with climate change. Four ideas were brainstormed with a primary focus on
innovation and sustainability:

5 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
 1. Organic rice-crayfish farming system
2. Research and development of climate resistant crop varieties
3. Producing compost from agri-aquacultural wastes
4. Farming ecosystem of Garden-Pond-Animal pen

Following up plans after the workshop

This workshop is not an endpoint but a catalyst for forming a Youth Climate Action Network in the
Mekong delta. Local youth will have opportunities to participate in online seminars and events, and
engage with other youth in this region.

Workshop Agenda

Time Activities

08:00 - 08:15 Registration

08:15 - 08:25 Welcome and Introduction: Dr. Trinh Ngoc Ai

Vice Dean, School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University

08:25 - 08:35 Opening thoughts: Dr. Thach Thi Dan

Vice Rector, Tra Vinh University

08:35 – 09:00 Session 1: Global youth movement on agriculture and climate change and
why gender matters in climate change
Nozomi Kawarazuka, International Potato Center, CGIAR

09:00 – 10:00 Session 2: Women's situated knowledge of the climate changes context
Ly Quoc Dang, Mekong Delta Development Research Institute, Can Tho
University

10:00 - 10:20 Tea break / Group photo

10:20 - 11:20 Session 3: Introducing an innovation in agriculture: Sokfarm coconut nectar

– A startup from local natural resources
Thach Thi Chal Thi, SokFarm Co-Founder

11:20 – 12:00 Student Group work

Nozomi Kawarazuka, Ly Quoc Dang

12:00 – 12:30 Group presentations & feedback

12:30 – 12:40 Closing remarks: Dr. Trinh Ngoc Ai

Vice Dean, School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University

6 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Summary and Notes

Opening thoughts

Dr. Thach Thi Dan

Vice Rector, Tra Vinh University
08:25 - 08:35

Dr. Dan welcomed and thanked the CGIAR organizers for conducting the workshop and giving this
opportunity to the students. She also encouraged the students to actively participate in the
workshop. She wished the event success and hoped for future collaboration.

Session 1: Global youth movement on agriculture and climate

change and why gender matters in climate change

Presenter: Dr. Nozomi Kawarazuka (CGIAR/CIP)

08:35 – 09:00

In the first session, Dr. Nozomi Kawarazuka gave a presentation on the current issues of agriculture
and climate change, the importance of gender and diversity in the adaptation planning process, and
the global youth movement to address the issues. She raised four important questions for the students
to think about throughout the presentation:

• What are climate adaptation strategies for agriculture in the Mekong region?
• Whose opinions are missing in climate adaptation planning ?
• Why are gender and diversity important for climate adaptation planning?
• Why do young people need to have good knowledge on climate change?

First, Nozomi informed the audience of the context of climate change in the Mekong region. The
average temperature is increasing, the sea level is rising, while rainfall has been increasingly irregular,
and extreme weather events have become more and more frequent. At the worst scenario with 80cm
sea level raise, more than half of the Mekong region will sink into the sea, which may happen around
2050. In Tra Vinh, a 40 cm sea level rise would affect around 20% of the land, but with a 70cm sea
level rise, more than half of the area will be affected.

The government, universities and private companies are developing various climate change
adaptation strategies. For example, in agriculture, these include shifting from rice to other crops and

7 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
farming systems, developing new rice varieties such as salt-resistant varieties or short-maturity
varieties, crop insurance systems, and digital technologies for weather forecast and flood warning.
People are also trying to utilize available natural resources, such as wind energy and mangrove forest
to protect coastal areas. Infrastructure is also important such as hydropower and dams to control
water level.

However, Nozomi pointed out that current strategies were developed by rich people and for rich
people, as very poor farmers might not be able to afford these solutions, and the construction of wind
turbines and hydropower would affect the lives and incomes of local poor people.

Next, Nozomi emphasized and explained the importance of gender and diversity in climate adaptation
planning. Often times, the voices of women, youth and ethnic minorities are not included in the
decision making and planning processes. Agricultural technologies were developed by men and for
men. Nozomi demonstrated this by showing numerous photos taken by Hmong farmers in Son La
province, in which men used agricultural machines while women only had machines for housework
such as sewing machines, rice cookers and water pipes. Women are also farmers abut they have to do
manual work. This is evidence that if women are not involved in technology design and development
process, they cannot benefit from those. The same thing can happen for climate adaptation. If women,
young people and ethnic minorities are not involved in adaptation planning, they cannot benefit from
the planning.

Subsequently, Nozomi explained why young people need to have good knowledge on climate change.
The reason is that previous generations had plenty of natural resources and many countries have been
developed by exploiting the resources. The students’ generation is different. Old development
business models do not work anymore. Climate adaptation is a core part of any types of business.
Knowledge is power. Without knowledge, they will be left behind from on-going changes. All over the
world, young people are learning about climate change and raising their voices to global leaders.
Nozomi gave the examples of Greta Thunberg, and COP27, where young ethnic minority people
participated actively.

Upon completing the presentation, Nozomi asked the students to briefly discuss in small groups and
answer the four key questions she asked them at the beginning.

Student answers:

• Q: What are climate adaptation strategies for agriculture in the Mekong region?
A: Current strategies include changing from rice to other crops and aquaculture, salinity
resistant varieties and short-maturity varieties to avoid extreme weather, wind energy etc.

8 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
 • Q: Whose opinions are missing in climate adaptation planning?
A: The voices of women, young people, poor farmers, fishermen etc. are missing in
adaptation planning.
• Q: Why are gender and diversity important for climate adaptation planning?
A: It’s because the climate crisis affects everyone, both men and women, and all ethnic
groups, young and old.
• Q: Why do young people need to have good knowledge on climate change?
A: Because young people will bear the consequences of climate change

Session 2: Women's situated knowledge of the climate change

context

Presenter: Dr. Ly Quoc Dang

Mekong Delta Development Research Institute, Can Tho University
09:00 – 10:00

In the second session, Dr. Ly Quoc Dang shared his understanding of “situated knowledge” to the
students. His presentation focuses on how local people use their knowledge to cope with local changes,
the knowledge is accumulated from their experience in their everyday lives. That is scientific, local,
tradition, and even modern knowledge. In the context of climate change, local people use new
knowledge in order to adapt to real and current situation, it is their situated knowledge. Men and
women have different experiences based on their biological, physical and social characteristics.
Women are supposed to be special actors, their body has meaning and power, and they are closer to
the environment and natural resources. He believes that women have agency to change their
situations, they have already adapted to climate change very well thanks to this special knowledge of
nature. Dang illustrated this by examples of specific cases where women are more actively involved in
environmental protection activities, and how they use their feminine strengths to protests against
authority. He then provided a research framework on the roles of women in the context of climate
change through situated knowledge.
Research framework
The roles of women in the context of climate change through situated knowledge

Indigenous Traditional Scientific

Knowledge systems
Signs of climate
change in the Women’s
community roles Modern Local

Other knowledge

Body Quality

Women’s roles in
climate change through
situated knowledge

9 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
In the second part of his session, Dang gave the students an exercise to apply this research
framework through a case study of Mrs. Thum Choi, a farmer in Soc Trang province. He asked the
students to read the story and identify the following:

• Signs of climate change in the community

• Knowledge system (5 categories: local, indigenous, modern, traditional, scientific) of Mrs.
Choi.
• Other knowledge (body, quality).

The students were given 5 minutes to read the story, and then guided through the exercise by Dang.

Session 3: Introducing an innovation in agriculture: Sokfarm

coconut nectar – A startup from local natural resources

Presenter: Ms. Thach Thi Chal Thi

SokFarm Co-Founder, Tieu Can district, Tra Vinh
10:20 - 11:20

Turning to the last presentation, Ms. Thach Thi Chal Thi presented her coconut nectar start-up
business to the students. Graduated with a Master's degree in Food Technology from Ho Chi Minh
City University of Technology, Ms. Chal Thi is the co-founder of Sokfarm. Sokfarm means Happy
Agriculture with the desire to raise income and improve livelihoods for coconut farmers in Tra Vinh,
and bring healthy products to consumers.

Coconut nectar is hand-collected from coconut blossoms, using the traditional blossom massaging
and nectar harvesting techniques of the Khmer in Tra Vinh. The idea of producing products from
coconut nectar was born in early 2018, when the price of dried coconuts in Tra Vinh province
dropped dramatically. With a desire to help her own parents as well as the coconut farmers in her
community, Chal Thi conceived the idea of developing coconut nectar products from the second
largest coconut region of Vietnam. After three years of hard work and overcoming numerous
challenges, SokFarm has achieved certain success and recognition in Vietnam as well as the world.
The startup currently employs 35 office staff and collaborates with 35 farmers with an area of 20
hectares of coconut, and a processing factory of 500m2. SokFarm has a wide range of products,
many of which have been exported to Cambodia, Japan and the Netherlands. The model has created
a new direction for Tra Vinh coconut industry, helping to increase the income of farmers by 2-3
times, contributing to improving local livelihoods and producing high quality agricultural products
from local natural resources.

Chal Thi believes that business must exist in harmony with the natural environment and the
community. At Sokfarm, raw materials are grown, harvested and processed under the principles of
sustainability and environmental protection to minimize anthropogenic impacts on the climate.

Chal Thi emphasized innovation as the foundation of the business, and happiness as its working
culture, and preservation and promotion of traditional skills and knowledge as one of its missions.
With a focus on local economic development and, Sokfarm aims to support local Khmer farmers.
Currently, 95% of workers at Sokfarm are Khmer, of which more than 60% are female.
Sokfarm’s innovation, success and contribution to local community has won the startup multiple
awards, including social impact awards.

10 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session. The students were inspired by Ms. Chal Thi and
wanted to learn more about her journey. Ms. Chal Thi shared the difficulties she encountered at the
beginning, and how she managed to overcome them by constant hard work and perseverance. She
encouraged the students to be confident and work hard to achieve their goals. Two female Sokfarm
employees were also invited to share their experience of working for Sokfarm with the students.

Student group work

11:20 – 12:30
Facilitators: Nozomi Kawarazuka, Ly Quoc Dang, Trinh Ngoc Ai

By the end of the workshop, we gave length of time to students to reflect on what they learnt from
the three presenters by asking them to discuss in groups to answer four main questions as follows:

1. Current climate change problems in agriculture/aquaculture in Tra Vinh

2. Local gender norm
3. Local traditional culture value
4. Ideas to make agriculture/aquaculture more attractive to youth and more sustainable and
adaptable to climate change.

Each group was then invited to present their discussion and ideas in front of the workshop, followed
by the facilitators’ comments and Q&A with the audience.

Group work results

Group 1 Agriculture-Aquaculture students (male group)

Names of group (1)Thach Trung Cang; (2) Kim Thanh; (3) Song Dong Day; (4) Thach Hoang
members Thai

Current problems in Smallholder local farmers grow crops such as rice, coconut, chili, vegetables
agriculture/ etc. Currently, rice farming systems are being affected by saline water
aquaculture in Tra intrusion, flooding, and strong winds. Coconuts are being affected by high
Vinh saline water intrusion.
The recent farming systems are not sustainable.
Local farmers use different natural resources: earth/soil, water, air, light.
However, the soil is affected by saline water, and polluted by pesticides etc.
Water sources are also polluted by pesticide.

11 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Gender norms in Tra - In our community, men operate machines and do heavy work, while
Vinh women do household chores and light work.
- Mostly, women are involved in chores in the family such as taking care of
children and the elderly, cleaning the house etc.
- Elder family members usually go to the temple, especially women because
they’re involved mainly in family duties.
- The husband’s name is on the household’s land ownership.
- Many young people migrate to other places because there are no stable
jobs in the community we live. In addition, they migrate because they want
to bring back new knowledge to develop communities.

Cultural Value in Tra Khmer festivals: Chol Chmam Thmay, Dol-ta, Oc-om-bok, Kathina.
Vinh Kinh people usually live near markets, while Khmer people live around rice
farming areas.

Ideas in making Our team proposes an idea of organic rice - crayfish (tôm càng xanh)
agriculture/ farming system. We propose this idea because we want to use lessen the
aquaculture more use of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) which creates problems to the
attractive to youth soil, water, and air in our community. We think that it is sustainable, and
and more sustainable will contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
and adaptable to Moreover, this idea will also contribute to protecting local people’s health.
climate change

Group 2 7 female students

Names of group Nhu, Vy, Mai, Thu, Nhi, Se Tha, Truc

members

Current problems in Common crops grown by smallholder farmers: rice, coconut, orange,
agriculture/ vegetables,...
aquaculture in Tra Negative impacts of climate change: all crops are being affected by saline
Vinh water intrusion, which delays their growth and eventually kill the crops.
Most of these farming systems are not sustainable.
The resources farmers are using for these farming systems: soil/earth,
water, light, air.

Gender norms in Tra - Men do jobs such as farmers, industrial workers, office workers, laborers.
Vinh - Women are involved in household chores such as cooking, cleaning,
housekeeping, and other jobs which need meticulous skills.
- Women usually go to the temple and offer meals to monks. Women pray
for “peace and luck" for the family.
- Many young people migrate to other places because they can find better
jobs and higher income.

Cultural Value in Tra Khmer festivals: Chol Chmam Thmay, Dol-ta, Oc-om-bok, Du Ke.
Vinh Ethic Khmer has different language, culture, and customs to Kinh people.
Ideas in making Ideas: research and develop new crop varieties to adapt to the changing of
agriculture/ climate.
aquaculture more In order to do this, we have to have good knowledge about the plants, such
attractive to youth as plants’ bio-physiology and other characteristics. Also, we need good
and more sustainable equipment and machines, and technology know-how that we can apply. We
and adaptable to believe that this idea will benefit farmers and youth.
climate change

12 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Group 3 5 male students
Names of group Dong, Tai, Thuc, Tan, Vu
members

Current problems in Common crops: rice, sweet potato, chili, coconut.

agriculture/ In the climate change context, these plants are under stress, leading to
aquaculture in Tra decreased yield and quality. These farming systems are not sustainable.
Vinh These crops use different resources: soil/earth, water, air, light.
Recently, soil/earth and water are being affected by saline water intrusion
and acid (phèn), and by pollution.

Gender norms in Tra - Men in middle age are usually farmers, workers, business owners. Men in
Vinh young age are usually company/factory workers, and students.
- Women in middle age do small businesses, and household chores such as
cooking, cleaning, housekeeping. Women in young age are students and
company/factory workers, some do online business.
- Normally, women are the ones to cook, take care of children and the
elders.
- Women in middle and elder age go to temples very often because they
understand the culture well and they have more time.
- Land is owned by the husband in the family.
- More young people migrate to work in other places because they can get
higher income/salary. There are not many jobs in the local areas.

Cultural Value in Tra Khmer festivals: Chol Chmam Thmay, Dol-ta, Oc-om-bok, Kathina.
Vinh Khmer people have a different language from Kinh people. In addition,
Khmer people have more festival events.

Ideas in making Our idea: use food waste from agri-aquacultural activities to make/produce
agriculture/ compost. In order to do that, we have to build strong knowledge on
aquaculture more agriculture and biotechnology.
attractive to youth Those who can benefit from this idea include shrimp farmers and other
and more sustainable farmers.
and adaptable to
climate change

Group 4 7 female students

Names of group Anh Thu, Ngoc Mai, Tu Mui, Thu Hong, Huyen, Khoa
members
Current problems in Some crops grown by local farmers: rice, vegetables. In these farming
agriculture/ systems, the farmers need water, earth/soil, air resources to cultivate the
aquaculture in Tra crops.
Vinh In the context of climate change, local people are faced with saline water
intrusion, increasing temperature, storms etc.
The current farming systems are not sustainable because the farmers use a
lot of chemicals in farming, so the soil/earth, water and air resources are
polluted.

13 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Gender norms in Tra - Men work as construction workers, drivers.
Vinh - Women work as farmers, garment workers.
- In the family, women do chores such as housekeeping, cleaning, washing,
cooking.
- Men own land in most cases.
- Usually, elder women go to temple, they pray for “peace” for the family.
- Many young people migrate to work in other places because they do not
have stable jobs in the community.
Cultural Value in Tra Khmer festivals: Chol Chmam Thmay, Oc-om-bok
Vinh Khmer people have different language, culture, and food to Kinh people.

Ideas in making Our team proposes an idea of VAC system (V= garden, A= pond, and C=
agriculture/aquacultu animal pen). These systems can support each other. And this is very
re more attractive to sustainable. In the garden, we can grow fruits and vegetables. In the pond,
youth and more we can raise fish. And in the animal pens, we can raise duck, chicken or
sustainable and even pig and cows.
adaptable to climate The benefits will go to local farmers, especially smallholder farmers.
change

14 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Conclusions

At the beginning of the workshop, the students were shy and quiet, but as the sessions went on, and
encouraged by the facilitators, they became more active in answering as well as raising questions to
the presenters. At the end, they became confident and actively engaged in the group discussions and
presentations. The students enjoyed the interactive format of the workshop and found it
informative, interesting and meaningful, and hoped for opportunities to participate in similar
activities in the future.

We believe that the participants have gained new knowledge and awareness about climate change
and the importance of gender and diversity. They were inspired by Ms. Chal Thi, the co-founder of
SokFarm as this startup has its foundation in climate change resilience. We believe that the
workshop has positive impacts on the students, and that it can help change their future
perspectives.

15 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
Appendices

1. Links to workshop materials

• Link to presentations and handouts: Link

• Group work guide: Link
• Photos: Link

2. Photos

Photo credit: Sokfarm

16 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
17 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth
18 Workshop on Gender and Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Khmer Youth