Impact Investing Fostering Growth in Cambodia

Since the development and implementation of the Phnom Voah Farming project in 2014, Catholic Mission has seen the growth of a self-sustaining organic life-giving farm. Its primary goal has been to evangelise through development, creating a safe, nurturing space for families to visit, students to learn, and community members to gain employment.

Phnom Voah Farm and St Francis Technical High School are located several hours south of Phnom Penh. Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, opened the farm and onsite restaurant to provide work for people from disadvantaged backgrounds in his community and give students from St Francis a place to practice what they learn in class. The farm has excelled in production with a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and livestock. It has employed over 20 community members and has provided vital practical experience opportunities for 178 agriculture students who have studied at St Francis.

Before Impact Investing was introduced at Phnom Voah, it generated USD$129,024.90 from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, when the farm began its impact investing journey with Catholic Mission, the trend of increasing income continued with an annual revenue of USD$137,033.74 generated through sales of produce, and visitors to the farm and restaurant. This was made up of USD$61,171.70 produced through produce sales and USD$75,862.04 generated through ecotourism at the farm, including bamboo train tours. The initial investment of USD$400,000 has now been repaid and is funding another impact investing project in the area - the Phnom Voah Training Centre and Hotel.