Farmer Cooperative
Farmer Cooperative
Through a USAID grant, Grove Fruit established a farmer cooperative in Srey Noy, Siem Reap Province.
Marketing
In previous years, farmers sold fruit to intermediary traders who exploited their lack of market access by purchasing mangos at unsustainably low prices. Grove Fruit continues to market mangos grown in Srey Noy Village to international buyers so that farmers receive higher profits. This allows farmers to pay for more sustainable farming inputs, pay back short-term farming loans, and improve their quality of life.
Training
The cooperative brings neighboring village farmers together to train on best international farming and harvesting techniques.
Traceability
Grove Fruit implemented traceability standards within the farmer cooperative to ensure fruit can be traced from farm to end consumer.
Testing
Grove Fruit introduced testing for pesticide residues to Cambodia and the farmer cooperative to ensure farmers are meeting global maximum residue level (MRL) standards.
Testing results indicated 97% of the farms tested meet international MRL standards. Through training, Grove Fruit continues to strive for 100% of farmers meeting the standards.