Innovación para una agricultura sostenible

Cambodia’s agriculture sector is a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction. However, in recent decades, agricultural intensification has led to the destruction of natural assets, resulting in soil degradation and loss of fertility. Consequently, farmers are facing low and declining productivity and income. And although new agricultural technologies are available and help to improve productivity, many of these solutions are not sufficiently commercialised to reach broad numbers of farmers. Moreover, the capacities of public agricultural extension services that play an important role in raising awareness are limited and coordination among stakeholders is lacking.

The Project

ISA seeks to support the promotion of sustainable agriculture practices in Cambodia, by facilitating access to and use of agricultural inputs such as machinery, cover crop seeds and extension services for at least 12 000 smallholder farmers (40% women). In addition, financial reward mechanisms such as premiums for sustainably grown products are explored as incentives for farmers to transition from conventional to more sustainable agricultural practices.

The project therefore

supports established public and private actors to raise awareness on sustainable intensification practices and provide appropriate technologies and services to farmers,
facilitates capacity building and technical support to the government at national and local level to establish a public-private agricultural extension model,
supports private sector companies which produce and/or sell sustainable agricultural technologies and products in developing and expanding their business activities through business development and marketing support,
connects farmers with buyers and exporters of high-quality commodities who are willing to pay a premium for products grown using sustainable practices.

Project Goals

The goal of the project is to promote appropriate technologies and extension services for a sustainable agricultural production. This leads to an improved soil health that allows smallholder farmers to increase their productivity and income. Private sector actors providing agricultural products and services such as seeds and machinery are supported in establishing self-sustaining business models in order to increase farmer’s access to farm inputs. Moreover, improved coordination among public and private sector actors leads to stronger collaboration, supporting the implementation of the Cambodia’s roadmap for conservation agriculture and sustainable intensification.

Expected Results 2025 - 2028

4 000 smallholder farmers (40% women) take part in training or access promotional as well as technical assistance related to climate-relevant practices/services
12 000 smallholder farmers (40% women) access services and products introduced by local partners
3 000 households increase their income by CHF 120 on average thanks to applying sustainable agricultural practices and become more resilient to deal with the adverse effects of climate change
12 000 tons of CO2 emissions are reduced through sustainable farming practices and enhanced carbon sequestration

Financing partners

This project is co-financed by the Leopold Bachmann Foundation. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.