Across Cambodia, smallholder farmers face soil degradation, unpredictable rainfall, and rising input costs that threaten long-term productivity and rural livelihoods. Research showed that cover crops offer a practical Agroecological solution by enriching soil organic matter, fixing nitrogen, protecting against erosion, and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. To move from isolated pilots to adoption at scale, the country needed a clear, trusted framework to ensure that farmers and companies could access quality-assured cover crop seeds, known as the QDS system.
On 29 January 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and partners from the General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA), Swisscontact, Conservation Agriculture Research for Development Centre (CARDEC), Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), development partners, agricultural cooperatives, and private companies working on seeds and machinery sectors with a total participants of 49 people (17 females), inaugurated the QDS guideline for cover crops and celebrated the official registration of 15 cover crop species in Cambodia’s National List of Variety Registration at Novotel Phnom Penh. Presided by H.E. Dr. Yoeu Asikin, Undersecretary of State at MAFF and Vice-Chair of CASIC Steering Committee, highlighted the importance of innovation and partnership for transforming farming systems.
This event aimed to advance the development of Cambodia’s sustainable agriculture sector through several key actions. First, it celebrated the official registration of 15 cover crop species as national seeds, formally recognizing the vital role that cover crops played in strengthening agroecological systems, improving soil fertility, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Second, the event marked the launch of technical guidelines for quality control of cover crop seeds under the Quality Declared Seed (QDS) system for six priority species. This milestone was expected to enhance the national seed quality assurance framework and ensure that farmers had reliable access to high-quality planting materials.
The program also sought to raise awareness and strengthen the technical capacity of stakeholders on seed variety registration procedures and the QDS framework. By improving understanding of these processes, the initiative supported more efficient seed production, distribution, and adoption. In addition, the event promoted the wider integration and scaling of cover crops within Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture practices. These approaches contributed to healthier soils, improved climate resilience, and greater long-term productivity for farmers.
Finally, it encouraged stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, development partners, and farming communities to build a sustainable seed system and contribute to national goals on food security and environmental protection. The inclusion of cover crops in the national variety list and the rollout of the QDS system represented important strategic steps toward modernizing Cambodia’s seed sector and accelerating the country’s transition to sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, aligned with the priorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
The QDS guideline for cover crops is the result of close collaboration between GDA, CARDEC, CIRAD, Swisscontact, and ASSET Project under the coordination of the Cambodian Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Intensification Consortium (CASIC). With the collective efforts of partners, by combining scientific evidence, field experience, and regulatory expertise, to design a practical and context-specific standard for cover crop seed production and control under the QDS system. The guideline defines roles and procedures for competency authorities, seed producers, inspectors, and laboratories within Cambodia’s national seed system.
Beyond the guideline itself, Swisscontact through ISA project and its partners are working to ensure that QDS standards lead to tangible change on the ground. Through on-farm demonstrations, technical coaching, and business-oriented support, the project helps seed producers and agricultural cooperatives to multiply cover crops and bring QDS-compliant seeds to the market. Private companies are also testing new business models for integrating cover crops into commercial value chains and diversified cropping systems.
The QDS guideline for cover crops complements other innovations, promoted by the ISA project, such as conservation agriculture practices, digital advisory tools, and partnerships linking smallholders with agribusinesses and service providers. These initiatives promote agroecology, not only environmentally positive but also economically attractive for farmers and the private sector. By institutionalising technical standards for cover crops within the QDS system, Cambodia is better equipped to scale agroecology and build resilient, productive farming systems for the future.