Cambodian peasant's contribution to rural development: a perspective from Kampong Thom Province

The paper aims to identify the rationality of peasant communities and their contribution to rural development in Kampong Thom province. To do so, the authors explore the dynamics of land use and land tenure, the strategies of labor force allocation as well as the determinants of land and labor agricultural productivities amongst peasant communities. The research is based on field surveys in two communes. The researchers also analysed changes based on time-series aerial photos. They find that endogenous management of forest and fisheries resources generate significant incomes and contribute to maintaining biodiversity. The paper analyses how this contribution is challenged by the non-peasant actors involved in massive State land privatization.