Set Hach, a farmer and community leader from Siem Reap province, has been named among the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ inaugural 100 Heroines in Food Systems and Agriculture for Rural Development for her efforts to improve farmers’ livelihoods, promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen women’s leadership.

In an interview, she said:

“I am a farmer. Back in 2013, I had no knowledge of agricultural techniques. I simply grew vegetables and raised a few animals.

Farmer Set Hach earns international recognition for empowering rural women and expanding their role in agricultural cooperatives and community development. FAO

I only completed primary school. In 2014, I began working with an organisation that provided training in cultivation techniques, water conservation, and reducing the use of fertilisers and chemical pesticides.

After gaining knowledge of improved farming techniques, I became a community leader, a role I have held for the past 10 years. Our community currently comprises 540 households, 450 of which are headed by women.

Farmer Hach Set from Cambodia uses firewood to cook rice in her home kitchen.

Reflecting on my experience, I feel a great sense of pride and confidence in having learned from the project and subsequently shared my knowledge with other farmers. I am proud to have taken the initiative to learn and pass on that knowledge to fellow farmers.

However, I sometimes face challenges in encouraging women to participate, as they often shoulder heavy family responsibilities, including childcare, cooking and other household chores, leaving them with little time to join our activities. Nevertheless, I continue to encourage them and find ways to accommodate their schedules so they can participate.

Farmer Hach Set from Cambodia prepares to feed her chickens at home.

I am truly happy and thrilled to have taken part in this forum and received an honorary award. I intend to bring this symbol of a ‘heroic woman’ back home to share with my family and other women who were unable to attend.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for recognising and valuing women in leadership.”