Phnom Penh: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A Cambodian project aimed at reducing poverty and supporting small farmers has won the prestigious International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Gender Award. This award recognizes outstanding projects from 177 countries that demonstrate commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment in agriculture and rural development.
This prestigious recognition was announced in a press release by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), highlighting the project's exceptional dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering rural women in the agricultural sector. The initiative has shown significant results in improving livelihoods, enhancing access to finance, and elevating agricultural practices across seven provinces adjacent to the Tonle Sap Basin.
The project, known as the Tonle Sap Poverty Reduction and Smallholder Development Project—Additional Financing (TSSD-AF), has been operational since 2018. It is a collaborative effort between the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development Secretariat (NCDDS) of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, with support from the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Asian Development Bank, and IFAD.
A key achievement of the TSSD-AF project is the significant increase in women's participation in management committees, reaching 60% across 270 targeted communes. This initiative has not only bolstered Cambodia's agricultural resources but also laid the groundwork for sustainable development in the sector, benefiting approximately 650,000 households, especially those of smallholder farmers facing enduring poverty.
The project was represented at the award ceremony in Rome, Italy, on February 14-15 by Ms. Morn Leakhena, a board director of the Farmers Livelihood Improvement Association established under the project; Ms. Lim Sereyroth, a gender advisor; and the deputy head of NCDDS, who serves as the project manager. Ms. Leakhena expressed immense pride in the project's impact, particularly in enhancing the living standards of women beneficiaries, facilitating access to higher education for their children, and expanding their businesses.
With a budget of US$66 million, the TSSD-AF project builds upon the successes of its predecessor, aiming to foster inclusive and sustainable development. The project aligns with the Royal Government's strategic priorities, focusing on inclusive growth, sustainable and resilient poverty reduction, and agricultural advancement. It emphasizes the inclusion of women, especially those from impoverished smallholder farming backgrounds, in its efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, diversification, and market access.
Scheduled to run until July 2024, the initiative spans several provinces along the Tonle Sap Basin, including Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Thbong Khmum, and Prey Veng. This project not only exemplifies Cambodia's strides towards sustainable agricultural development but also serves as a beacon of gender equality and empowerment in the region.
