Phnom Penh– On the afternoon of July 3, 2024, Mr. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, welcomed Ms. Anna Wellenstein, the World Bank's Regional Director for Global Implementation of Sustainable Development in East Asia and the Pacific, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

During the meeting, Minister Dith Tina praised the fruitful past cooperation with the World Bank on agricultural development projects that have significantly benefited the Cambodian people. He highlighted the Ministry's ongoing efforts to promote agricultural policies aimed at ensuring food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability.

The Minister emphasized the importance of modernizing agricultural communities to help farmers reduce production costs and meet market demands. This modernization involves the deployment of local agricultural officials who serve as close assistants to farmers, addressing various challenges, including natural resource management.

Minister Dith Tina also stressed the need for these modern farming communities to diversify agriculture while conserving and developing natural resources, forests, and agricultural lands. He underscored the vital role of development partners in this endeavor, particularly in providing both technical support and capital investment to advance the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers.

Ms. Wellenstein expressed the World Bank's commitment to continuing its support for Cambodia's agricultural development. She acknowledged the Ministry's efforts and reiterated the importance of sustainable development practices in fostering long-term growth and stability.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their dedication to further strengthening their partnership, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and the overall development of Cambodia's agricultural sector.