AKP Phnom Penh, June 10, 2026 --

A former refugee camp in northwestern Cambodia has reopened as a modern free-range chicken cooperative, giving more than 600 families a reliable source of income.

Officials say the “Modern Free-Range Chicken Agricultural Cooperative” in Rong Cham village in Svay Chek district, marks a turning point for the region, once a displacement camp. Each participating family receives a poultry coop, 100 chicks, vaccines, feed, training, and a guaranteed buy-back contract.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, H.E. Khim Finan, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, emphasised that the initiative represents a strategic shift from traditional subsistence farming to market-driven, entrepreneurial agriculture.

The project has seen strong initial updates, with over 600 families registered in the first phase. Project organisers expect membership to expand to 1,000 families by the close of the registration period.

The initiative is designed not only to address immediate livelihood challenges but also to lay the groundwork for a resilient local economy, enabling rural residents to achieve self-reliance through sustainable production and secured market access, officials said.

By K. Rithy Reak