From Rice Fields to Poultry Farming: Mr. Huen's Success in Chicken Hatching

From Rice Fields to Poultry Farming: Mr. Huen's Success in Chicken Hatching

Mr. Huen has a dream that extended beyond the paddy fields - a dream to venture into poultry farming. With determination, he began this new chapter with chicken flock

In the Sneran village, Bueng Pras commune, in Prey Veng Province, Mr. Dang Huen, a 52-year-old farmer, lives with his three daughters. His life, deeply rooted in rice cultivation, a tradition that sustained his family for years. 

However, Mr. Huen has a dream that extended beyond the paddy fields - a dream to venture into poultry farming. With determination, he began this new chapter with chicken flock: 45 hens and 5 roosters, using the traditional methods with which he was familiar. 

Raising chickens turned out to be much harder than growing rice for him. He tried his best, but he couldn't make the chicken farm successful. This led to tough times for his family, sometimes not having enough food because of the business problems. Also, Mr. Huen was not part of any farmer groups or cooperatives that help farmers learn and grow together. So, he was trying to figure out farming and chicken rearing all by himself without any help or advice.

Things started to change when he joined the Heifer Cambodia-supported agricultural cooperative. This was a big step in his life as a farmer. It gave him a chance to learn new things, get resources, and most importantly, be part of a community where farmers help each other. This support made a huge difference in Mr. Huen's farming life.

In 2014, he became a member of the Satray Rong Rueng self-help group and in 2015, he joined the Agriculture Cooperative “Khei Sakhem Bueng Pras”, where he was elected to serve on the AC committee. Mr. Huen took the opportunity to enhance his knowledge and skills. He attended training sessions on the technical backyard chicken raising, and learned about bookkeeping and savings group management. 

In 2022, he borrowed $950 from the cooperative to start his chicken farm again with 50 hens and 5 roosters. His business did really well, selling 300-400 chicks every month and making a monthly profit of $120 to $145. He also paid back $700 of the loan to the cooperative.

Seeing more farmers interested in his healthy chicks, Mr. Huen decided to expand his business. He added 90 more hens and 10 roosters to his farm. He also bought a chicken incubator and started buying eggs from other farmers in his cooperative. Now, he sells 500 to 700 chicks each month and makes a monthly profit of $200 to $265.

Mr. Huen said, "I'm very pleased. Heifer offered my family and me a chance to learn a lot about chicken farming. It's helping our community and keeping people from having to move away—reducing migration. My goal is to grow the business, aiming to sell at least 700 to 1,000 chicks every month."

Final, he was so happy with increase in his income as of today and many thanks to Heifer Cambodia and Heifer Cambodia’s project partner-- Nak Akphiwath Sahakum (NAS) that support him and communities.