The Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) has initiated research on a ‘single health’ approach, a novel concept in Cambodia crucial for understanding the interconnection between the well-being of people, animals and the environment.

Sok Kimchhin, dean of RUA’s Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, made the announcement during the opening ceremony of a project titled “The Role of Agriculture and Forestry on the Well-Being of People and Environmental Health in the Landscape of Northeastern Cambodia”, hosted at the university on November 20.

Kimchhin, who is spearheading the project, stated that the research represents a collaborative effort involving the RUA, the Australian National University (ANU), the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute of Japan and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), also in Japan.

Focusing on Stung Treng province and several national parks and sanctuaries, the endeavour is backed by Japan and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for a three-year period from 2023-2025. The effort aims to survey 1,395 families and 500 children.

“The term ‘single health’ implies that everyone enjoys good health, which is achieved when we receive food from diverse sources such as forests, biodiversity and both domestic and wild animals. Thus, the health of animals, biodiversity, vegetables, forest products and the entire environment must be sound to ensure human health,” he explained.

Chou Phanith, a senior lecturer and researcher at RUPP, noted that the analysis would enhance the skills of 40 young researchers. 

He said that families will indirectly benefit through question-and-answer sessions about their dietary habits. 

The findings will also aid the government in reinforcing food security and understanding the value of forest-derived resources like wild vegetables, fruits, insects and related occupations, which have not been comprehensively documented before.

“We aim to gather extensive information about the lifestyles, diets and overall well-being of indigenous people living in protected areas, aspects that have been largely overlooked,” he said. 

He added that the research areas are part of larger projects by the UK and other international organisations, which will use the findings to enhance transparency in their project implementation.

Dulce Carandang, regional manager at ACIAR, stressed the programme’s importance for both humans and animals. She pointed out that good health is essential for people to effectively contribute to society. Similarly, healthy animals offer numerous benefits, including preventing the global spread of diseases. 

She added that both humans and animals require a healthy environment with fresh air and access to abundant food resources from the forest.