Trip Details

Agriculture Development Volunteer Cambodia

Would you like to improve your green finger skills? On our Agriculture Development Volunteer programme in Cambodia, you can do just that! Work alongside local farmers, providing practical support with building and gardening, as well as training (which you will be supported in doing) to help them improve their crops. Needless to say, you should have a keen interest in outdoor gardening and basic building work, and you must also be willing to work in the sun, not be too scared of insects and bugs and engage in some heavy lifting! Predominantly, the goal of this volunteer project is to allow young people of rural communities to generate their own income, so if you have entrepreneurial skills, even better!

Grow your Gardening Skills with Local Cambodian Farmers

Whilst Cambodia is predominantly an agricultural country, there is actually very little knowledge when it comes to the science and art of cultivating plants and livestock. Our programme works with a dedicated foundation that provides training on sustainable farming practices to help the local communities thrive. Please note that the Agriculture Development Volunteer centre is about 5-6km away, so you will be required to cycle there and back each day. (15 – 2o minutes). We say: keep fit as you learn to grow your own!

Discover Heaps of Adventure Activities in Cambodia!

Whilst you may be content to explore the local surroundings during your evenings, you will want to travel further afield at the weekends! Join your fellow volunteers on an adventure to Phnom Kulen Waterfall National Park, take a bus to Angkor Wat, or visit Park Zip Line Adventure park where you can zoom through the rainforest canopy! Furthermore, you’ll find great excursions such as the Sunset Jeep Tour, a ride on the Bamboo Train, or a visit to the Killing Cave to fill your ‘away days’. Finally, in the evenings, you can simply chill back at your accommodation with your new-found friends, sharing snacks and stories!

Why be an Agriculture Development Volunteer in Cambodia?

  • Make a huge difference for local farming communities in Cambodia
  • Improve your own agricultural skills and learn the new tips and techniques
  • Stay in a rural part of Cambodia and enjoy life in the village of Samraong
  • Explore Cambodia’s rich vegetation, hills and scenery during your stay
  • Discover Cambodian cooking and enjoy meals and beverages* included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

You will arrive on Sunday and have plenty of time to settle into your accommodation before starting your week as an Agriculture Development Volunteer, here in Cambodia!

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise yourself with the surroundings as well as the local culture. Your programme will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

  • Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
  • Khmer Do’s and Don’ts, Khmer Culture Lessons and Khmer Language Lessons.
  • Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary.
  • Lunch
  • Introduction to the Project, Project site and start participating on the project.

Tuesday to Friday

A typical day during this programme may look like this:

  • Breakfast
  • Join the training session with an introduction to integrated farming
  • Join the construction at the centre and engage in land preparation
  • Engage in a personal project: workshop and group work
  • Lunch
  • Make a model of crops or vegetable beds
  • Visit some local families who are working with vegetables
  • Help the families with their daily vegetable work
  • Prepare Earth block mixture (clay) and materials for binding
  • Dinner

Evenings and Weekends

At the end of your day as a volunteer, you can choose to explore the area or simply relax with new friends back at your accommodation. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures together!

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Places to Visit

Nearby, you’ll find a park where you can relax or play volleyball with locals during your free time. Further, bikes are available at our centre which you can use to explore your surroundings and get about.

Further away is Siem Reap, which is two hours away from the accommodation. Our volunteers often head there at the weekends to explore the famous Angkor Wat, zip-wire through rainforest canopies, discover breathtaking waterfalls and do a little trekking!

Trip Accommodation

Samraong, which name translates from Khmer into “impenetrable jungle”, is a town located in northwestern Cambodia, close to the border with Thailand. Here, you will stay in a small, rural village where you will get a taste of authentic rural Cambodian life!

About the Accommodation

Life in Samraong is simple and natural and your accommodation reflects this lifestyle. You will have a communal area where you can eat, relax, meet fellow participants, and Wifi is also available at the centre.

Rooms are single-gender dorm style, sleeping up to 4 people, but you may request a comfort room which has more amenities and may be a little quieter. However, these rooms are not guaranteed, so do note your preferences with us at the time of booking. Facilities for all rooms include:

  • WIFI in public areas
  • Lockable rooms
  • Private bathroom
  • Bed linen
  • Mosquito protection
  • Private rooms available on request

Food Arrangements

Your meals will be typical Cambodian style, including plenty of rice dishes, meat and at times, as well as western food. Vegetarian options are also available – just let us know. Please note our Agriculture Development Volunteer programme includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, and brunch and dinner on the weekends.

Facilities

There are ATMs in Samraong, as well as a bank, and numerous local shops where you can get all the basics you might need during your stay. Depending on the location of your accommodation, these may be accessible within a 10 – 15 minute bike ride or walk.

Trip Country Info

Cambodia

Capital: Phnom Penh
Language: Khmer
Currency: Riel (KHR)
Time zone: UTC +7

Once known as the Khmer empire, Cambodia is perhaps best known for its monumental temples, especially that of Angkor Wat – finalist in the election of the new 7 wonders of the world in 2006. It is without doubt a country of incredible beauty, scattered with these temples, fertile rice fields and a rich and interesting history. For this reason it is unsurprising that Cambodia has taken a firm place on the tourist map. Having been a protectorate of France for almost 100 years, the country gained its independence in 1953. Following this however, Cambodia experienced years of civil war, turmoil and political corruption, as well as suffering from its involvement in the Vietnam war.

Despite holding this dark history, Cambodia really is an extraordinary country and has prevailed due to what has been described as the unbreakable spirit of the Cambodian people. The people here are known for their friendliness and their smiles.

Gap year travel to Cambodia is on the rise as more and more people discover its culture, traditions and historic treasures. A relatively unexplored country compared to its neighbours, Cambodia opened up for tourism very recently.Troubled by extreme poverty, Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Asia according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with over 75% of the population living on less than 2 USD a day. Things such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education are lacking in quality and are often not available to their fullest extent.

With a wide range of volunteering opportunities, Tru Experience wants to help you find the volunteer experience that’s perfect for you whether you are looking to work & travel in Cambodia or go on a road trip across the country. By visiting Cambodia, you can find yourself in a world where you can help those less fortunate than yourself while exploring the many cultural treasures of the nation and getting to know the people in a way that can’t be compared. If you are looking for a gap year holiday in Cambodia, a road trip, conservation work, teaching, community work  or other work & travel in Cambodia have a look at our latest experiences below.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Under 18, Parental Consent is Required
Travel Insurance

Additional Requirements

Sturdy Boots/Shoes
Work Gloves
Able to Ride a Bike
Team Player

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa