PHNOM PENH: The U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, W. Patrick Murphy, and the Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Veng Sakhon, presided over the launching ceremony of a new US $25 million project that aims to promote sustainable, broad-based economic growth by increasing diversification and competitiveness in Cambodia’s agriculture sector.

The new project, titled ‘Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest III’, also known as ‘Harvest III,’ is a five-year activity funded by the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future initiative and managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), according to a press released issued by the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh.

Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy is quoted saying, “The U.S. Government has invested nearly US $100 million over the past decade to improve both nutrition and family incomes in Cambodia by strengthening the country’s agriculture sector. In this global food crisis, it is critical that Cambodia strengthen its food security and Harvest III reflects the U.S. government’s commitment towards this goal.”

The new Harvest III program was announced on 4 Aug 2022 by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Cambodia to attend the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings.

The press release states that Harvest III will work with agriculture cooperatives, technology providers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to develop a skilled workforce, create jobs, and capture market opportunities in the agriculture sector by working with the private sector.

The project will build on investments that USAID/Cambodia has already made promoting sustainable economic opportunities and climate-smart agriculture technologies. By collaborating with companies working in agricultural markets, the project will help improve livelihoods for Cambodians, especially women, youth, and marginalized populations.

USAID anticipates generating US $38 million in new private sector investments, over the five-year period, creating over 3,000 jobs, helping agriculture businesses and producers access US $15 million in agriculture-related financing, and generating US $100 million of sales.