Farmers emerging from years of devastation and destruction are putting their lives together and were glad to be able to share views with political and other leaders concerned with agricultural policy.

HE Son Soubert was host of the February 2003 Cambodian Farmers’ Dialogue, which took place with support from friends of Initiatives of Change from many countries. Son Soubert recently met the Director of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), who urged us to continue with our work. He writes, ‘I told him about an Agriculture Students’ Association which is trying to implement the recommendation of the Farmers’ Dialogue through setting up a cooperative in the spirit of Initiatives of Change, in which practical farming work combined with moral and spiritual training is enriching our Cambodian youth. ‘Agriculture plays the most important role in Cambodia. It shares 45% of GDP and some 70% of the labour force covering 85% of the population. The Ministry of Agriculture will need to play a vital role in the future of Cambodia in the empowerment of peoples. Democracy will be inscribed in the constitution but this democracy means nothing to the mass of the population who do not have enough food to sustain their families. Thailand and Cambodia share a common heritage, there is no reason why we cannot work together to improve the livelihood of our rural people.’