Kase Tour’s agro-farming trips see good demand

In the bus heading to Kampong Chhnang province, Beng Hab said he has been interested in agro-farming since childhood and wanted to visit organic farms where fruits and vegetables are grown chemical-free.

“I did not study agriculture, but I love it. I still love growing vegetables and raising animals. I think Cambodia should have agro-tourism services, ” said the former veterinarian.

Today Hab, 32, has raised 20 quails and some chickens. He has grown some vegetables in his small backyard to supply his own needs.

“We wanted to visit a vegetable farm and see how plants are grown on a real farm. However, we could not find a farm offering agro-tourism tours.

“We should have gone to a farm that welcomes visitors. We did not dare visit a private farm without the owner’s permission, ” says Hab, sitting next to his wife and three-year-old daughter in the bus.

The bus was taking a dozen passengers from Phnom Penh early in the morning.

It drove through National Road 5 to Samaki Meanchey district where people could learn about agriculture and enjoy lunch at a restaurant that sources vegetables, fish and chicken meat from a farm.

The passengers are tourists from different backgrounds. They are from private companies, civil servants and non-government organisations. But they all share a common interest in agro-tourism.

Team leader Nhoeun Chanreth gave a brief background on how his team came to organise the trip before he invited people to embark on the bus tour.

He then requested the participants to introduce themselves. It was followed by a relaxing conversation about agriculture in the Kingdom.

Kase Tour was established four months ago to provide domestic and inbound tour packages specialising in agro-tourism.

It works collaboratively and timelessly with all stakeholders to promote Cambodia’s tourism through the potential of agro-tourism.

“Our three members are from the agriculture sector. Our friends were always looking for agro-farms and animal husbandry locations. They suggested we organise this farm trip.

“Another member is studying the tourism industry in Thailand, ” says Chanreth. — Phnom Penh Post/ANN