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PROJECT “NETWORK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
THINK-TAKS FOR COUNTRIES IN MEKONG-SUB REGION” (NARDT)

- 80% of farmers will be insurance covered

- 100% of farmers adopting improved methods of pest and diseases control

- The post-harvest loss will be decreased, down to 5%

- Drying services will cover 30% of production.

Irrigation policy

In 2004, the National Water Resources Policy has been regulated in response
to effectively and sustainably use of water. With the population being predominantly
rural and agricultural, shortage of water, drought, and floods has a major impact on
the agricultural population. The Royal Government is issues the following policies
to improve the irrigation systems: (i) Provide farmers with the quantity of water
needed, within the limits of available water resources and technology; (ii) Promote
the rehabilitation and construction of irrigation, drainage, and flood management
infrastructure, in order to provide sufficient water for agricultural production, and to
alleviate the adverse consequences of excess water; (iii) Promote the development
and extension of appropriate water management technologies that are particularly
suited to rain-fed agricultural areas, such as water harvesting, improvements to the
moisture-holding capacities of soils and use of farm ponds; (iv) Strengthen and expand
Farmer Water Use Communities, to enable for participation in water management
and allocation, and to maintain irrigation infrastructure with effectiveness and
sustainability; (v) Minimize the impact on the water resources caused by the uses of
chemical substances in agricultural production by encouraging people to implement
diversified agriculture. The irrigation system is currently under development by the
Royal Government of Cambodia, with the support of external organizations, and it is
expected by 2030 that the irrigation system in Cambodia will follow the demonstration
of the GDA and adopt by 100% of farmers in the country.

Agricultural Cooperative Policy

With the agricultural and rural development in Cambodia, improving the
agricultural cooperative systems is a target to bring agricultural production forwards.
The Agricultural Cooperative Law in 2013 was implemented by the Royal Government
of Cambodia, to promote the participation of every actor in the rice value chain
in establishing and developing agricultural cooperatives, in order to augment
the economic, social, and cultural status of members as well as to contribute to
the national economic development. The Law encourages private legal entity and
agricultural-based economic enterprise which is voluntarily established by natural
entities with joint investment, joint ownership, and joint democratic management in
order to improve agricultural production capacity, agro-industry, agri-business, or
service related to agricultural production aimed at enhancing the economic, social
and cultural status of members in line with basic principles. The Law also includes the
support and management, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, in
policy, funding, research institutions, etc. In 2020, Cambodia has undergone conduct
capacity gap assessment of existing farmers’ organizations and cooperatives, and it is
expected, by 2030, 40% of farmer organizations and cooperatives will be established
and under operation.

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