Phnom Penh: The 4th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Summit, held February 27-28 at the Cambodiana Hotel, aimed to promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen the Cambodian rice market.
Organized under the theme “Regenerative Agriculture Practices Towards Low Carbon Farming,” the event was a collaborative effort by the Cambodian Agriculture Cooperative Corporation Plc. (CACC), the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), and Grow Asia. The summit featured Dr. Yang Saing Koma, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, alongside Mey Kalyan, Senior Adviser at the Supreme National Economic Council and Chairman of the CACC Board, Chan Sokheang, President of CRF, and various partner organization representatives.
The summit aimed to foster sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices, focusing on climate-friendly solutions and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. A press release issued on February 29 highlighted the event's objectives, emphasizing the collective effort required to achieve sustainable agricultural development.
Dr. Yang Saing Koma stressed the importance of collaboration across all sectors involved in the agricultural value chain. He highlighted the synergy between producers, financial institutions, rice mills, the private sector, development partners, and the government as crucial for achieving environmental and economic sustainability for rural farmers. Dr. Koma commended the collective effort in aligning with government policies and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries' supportive role in strengthening partnerships to benefit farmers.
Chan Sokheang highlighted the summit's role in imparting practical knowledge on various sustainable rice standards and fostering relationships among stakeholders. He emphasized the summit's contribution to showcasing Cambodian agriculture's alignment with international standards, which supports environmental conservation and the development of the Cambodian rice market.
Sophoan Phean, National Director of Oxfam, praised the ambitious agenda set forth by the CACC and stakeholders. She called for sector-wide support to advance towards low carbon emissions, promoting regenerative agriculture (RA) practices for improved soil health and reduced CO2 footprints in the agricultural sector.
The summit attracted around 350 attendees, including leaders from agriculture cooperatives, private sector representatives, government officials, financial institutions, development partners, donors, and researchers. This annual gathering, now in its fourth iteration, continues to focus on varying themes pivotal to advancing sustainable agriculture in Cambodia.
