The Ibis Rice initiative was established in the project area as a wildlife-friendly alternative to unsustainable rice farming. In this initiative, Cambodian farmers in the Keo Seima REDD+ project (and the Northern Plains) are offered premium prices and organic certification for their rice in exchange for their commitment to zero deforestation, zero poaching and zero chemicals at their site*. Thus far, 58 households are participating in this program with over 300 hectares of agricultural land in three villages around Keo Seima managed under the Ibis Rice scheme**. The initiative is named after the Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea), a critically endangered species that is now able to coexist in harmony with forest farmers in Cambodia.
**CCB Monitoring Report 2020-2021