Most Cambodian households depend on agriculture and its related subsectors of livestock rearing, fisheries and forest exploitation for their living. Crops account for about 60%, of agricultural output, with rice contributing about 40%, livestock 27%, fisheries 10% and forestry 3%.
In Cambodia, 65% of the farming population is female and 80% of these women work in the agricultural sector. Women took over traditional roles of men in the farming system, such as ploughing, during the war years and this has continued to the present time (Secretariat of State for Women's Affairs, 1995). In addition, women are responsible for marketing the agricultural produce in local markets.
Crop production
The predominant crop is rice, grown on over 90% of the currently cropped area. Four different rice crops are grown throughout the year, in four seasons: Recession Rice (mid-December to end-April), Irrigated Rice (mid-January to end-May), Pre-monsoon Rice (May to mid-August) and Monsoon Rice (August to mid-December).
Traditionally, the first stages of rice cultivation are male-designated and the latter stages female designated. However, the traditional task division has changed due to lack of male labour. Women are thus increasingly involved in traditionally male tasks, such as land preparation, irrigation and treshing.
Apart from rice, rural households produce vegetables and tend palm trees for sugar and wine production.
Forestry
The low estimate for the forestry subsector may be explained by the fact that an important part of production (and trade) goes unrecorded. Firewood is the most common fuel. Firewood collection is mostly done by women, but they are sometimes assisted by men.
Fisheries
Fishery resources in Cambodia fall into three main sectors: the Great Lake or Tonle Sap, fished full-time by minority Vietnamese and Cham; local and family-based fishing in the dense network of streams, rivers and flooded areas; and marine offshore fishing (UNICEF, 90).
Fishing is an activity men are actively involved in. Women and children also fish on a smaller scale in canals and small ponds, and women market the fish. Most households have fishing nets and the activity is becoming more popular (SAWA, 95).
Livestock
Animals constitute an important source of family income. Most families keep livestock, their numbers mainly determined by the availability of animal feed and land for foraging. Pigs, chickens and ducks as well as eggs are normally sold for cash to purchase goods rather than being eaten regularly. Larger livestock like cows and buffaloes are rarely consumed for meat, but used as draught animals in the fields. Therefore a family's stock of animals represents its savings and reserve resources and not its main source of supplementary food (UNICEF, 1990).
The gender division of labour in livestock management is quite rigid. Men care for and utilise draught animals, like oxen, cows and buffaloes. Women care for, manage and sell small livestock like pigs, chickens and ducks. Nowadays, women who head their household and lack sufficient male labour utilise draught animals to plough (SAWA, 95).
