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Consultative Workshop on the Sustainable Rice Platform’s (SRP) 5-Year Roadmap Development

Cambodia
Sustainable agriculture
25.08.2022
The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) is a global multi‐stakeholder alliance of over 100 institutional members from public, private, research, civil society, and the financial sector. SRP works with partners to transform the global rice sector by improving smallholder livelihoods, reducing the social, environmental and climate footprint of rice production; and by offering the global rice market an assured supply of sustainably produced rice.

On 23 August 2022, the Consultative Workshop on the Sustainable Rice Platform’s (SRP) 5-Year Roadmap Development was successfully organized by the General Directorate of Agriculture and the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF), together with the support from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), and Swisscontact at Himawari Hotel

"“Since rice production covers most of the agriculture land area in Cambodia, it is also important to produce rice in a sustainable manner. Therefore, the Sustainable Rice Platform, which promotes sustainable production, plays a crucial role in supporting the commitment of the RGC (Royal Government of Cambodia) in sustainable agriculture development and agriculture modernization. Therefore, RGC is committed in developing the SRP Cambodia National Chapter aiming to develop a National Interpretation Guideline based on the global SRP Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation and develop and promote outreach models that enable large scale adoption of climate- smart best practices with broad participation and leadership from all actors throughout the value chain, government agencies, private sectors, and development partners.” "
said H.E Dr. Ngin Chhay, Director General, General Directorate of Agriculture 
H.E Dr. Ngin Chhay, Director General, General Directorate of Agriculture 

"SRP will be a good mechanism for Cambodia, and it is the right time for Cambodia to implement it. I believe that SRP will help farmers and rice merchants to improve their economy." 

Said Oknha Song Saran, President, Cambodian Rice Federation.  

The vision of SRP is to “Feed the World. Sustainably” by transforming the global rice sector through multi-stakeholder action. The Cambodia SRP National Chapter aims to take these objectives and consider them in a local context. As Cambodia is in the process of SRP National Chapter development, the roadmap is important to provide strategic direction to empower the National Chapter to operate effectively, efficiently, and sustainably. Moreover, the roadmap will provide the major steps and milestones needed to achieve the National Chapter’s objectives and goals.   

"As you might have been aware, SRP was initiated in Cambodia in 2015 and the discussions around the formation of the Chapter in 2019. In 2021, we [Swisscontact] were privileged to be part of the 5 organizations that got the opportunity to work together towards the formation of the SRP National Chapter in Cambodia. Ever since the signing of the agreement on June 25, 2021, the 5 organizations in close coordination with the SRP Global office, based in Bangkok, have been organizing numerous coordination meetings. The key tasks that the organizations agreed was to form the National Working Group, work on the strategic roadmap and establish the national chapter in Cambodia."
Said Mr. Rajiv Pradhan, Country Director, Swisscontact 
Mr. Rajiv Pradhan, Country Director, Swisscontact 

The Consultative Workshop on SRP’s 5-Year Roadmap Development marked a special milestone for the Cambodia Chapter as it played a significant role in raising awareness of the National Chapter, along with the presentation on the proposed strategic pillars, followed by discussion on the proposed pillars. During the event, working groups were also formed to finalize the roadmap. 

“SRP-Verified rice is available in 12 countries in EU (European Union), UK (United Kingdom), Scandinavia, and Switzerland. We are of course especially proud that SRP-Verified rice now offers a new way for consumers to make a difference, linking buyers in global markets to farmers who manage their land and production sustainably.” 

said Wyn Ellis, Executive Director, Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) 

The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) is a global multi‐stakeholder alliance of over 100 institutional members from public, private, research, civil society, and the financial sector. SRP works with partners to transform the global rice sector by improving smallholder livelihoods, reducing the social, environmental and climate footprint of rice production; and by offering the global rice market an assured supply of sustainably produced rice. The General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA), Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), CIRAD and Swisscontact signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to support establishment of a Cambodia National Chapter of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) on June 25th, 2021. 

" In Cambodia rice is the cornerstone for food security and economic development. The Royal Government has made tremendous progress in tackling hunger over the past few decades by creating economic opportunities and reducing poverty particularly in rural and agricultural communities. Rice has been a core part of this story and culture in Cambodia. The country has continuously produced a surplus year on year. The SRP and its members are serious about providing means to produce rice that is better, better for farmers and better for agribusinesses looking to sell that rice to consumers.  "
Said Rebekah Bell, Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 
Rebekah Bell, Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 

During the event, the draft roadmap was introduced, followed by discussions on the promotion, membership, institutionalization and service and activities for the Cambodia SRP National Chapter. Four sub-committees have been formed which will work on finalizing the roadmap by October 2022. The SRP Cambodia National Chapter is expected to be launched in November 2022.  

" On behalf of Department of Rice Crops, I would like to express my support for common standard and calling for participation and support to promote the future development of the Cambodian rice sector. SRP will be a good mechanism for Cambodia rice farmers, and this is the right time for Cambodia to implement [SRP]. "
Said Mr. Yi Bunhak, Deputy Director, Department of Rice Crops, General Directorate of Agriculture. 

The Consultative Workshop was attended by over 59 participants representing various public and private institutions along with development partners.  

Cambodia
Sustainable agriculture
Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture 
The project promotes appropriate technologies and extension services for a sustainable intensification of agricultural production leading to reduced negative impacts on the environment including an improved soil health that allows smallholder farmers to increase their productivity and income.
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