On 13 August 2024, the ALiSEA Network, whom DPA is a national secretariat, organized a student field visit for 40 agricultural students, including undergraduate, master and doctoral students from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and the National University. Battambang (NUBB). This field visit served as a platform to widen the understanding of the theoretical study, experiences, and initiatives of agroecological practices in Battambang province. The event was attended by 54 participants (25 females, 19 males), including students from RUA and NUBB, ALiSEA members, SSLA, ECOLAND, DPA, GRET, and farmers.

It was a theoretical class in the morning to introduce ALiSEA and deepen their understanding of agroecology concepts and principles. Moreover, the ALiSEA board also shared the template of case study writing with students to support students in writing their reflections after the field visit and advancing to their academy.

With kind support from the Sustainable Soil for Life Association (SSLA), we visited the three farms with different practices in the afternoon. First, the farm applied natural fertilizer followed by integrated farming, farm management and seed saving. In the field visit, students were divided into two groups: (1) undergraduate students from NUBB and (2) graduate and postgraduate students from RUA.

To conclude the session with the group reflections, each group were satisfied with the program. The group were curious to learn more from the real practices with farmers. Whereas, Group 2 were interested in identifying the challenges of agroecological practices in the field.