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NGO STATEMENT TO THE 2001 CONSULTATIVE GROUP 
MEETING ON CAMBODIA

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
 

CONTENTS

 


Introduction
Key Issue
Recommendations
Institutional and legal framework

Introduction

The Cambodian national economy is based on agriculture whereby agriculture accounts for 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Agriculture still continues to play an important role in terms of employment. It is reported that every year only 30,000 new jobs can be created in the urban areas while the remaining 110,000 new entrants will have to find work in agriculture and other informal sectors.

Family based agriculture, mainly subsistence farmers, is dominant in Cambodia. According to an official report, food insecurity and poverty is widespread, especially among those households for whom agriculture is the primary source of income. In this context, farmers need to be supported to increase and diversify agricultural production to meet the growing demand of food and employment, while conserving the natural resources base. 

In response to these needs, NGOs have been actively involved in giving direct support to farmers by strengthening farmer capacity in organizing themselves as well as in developing, adopting and disseminating sustainable and organic farming technologies.

Key Issues

§ Support to small farmers
The direct support to small farmers, representing the majority of Cambodian society, is a very important factor in ensuring household food security, the reduction of poverty and in the promotion of sustainable and equitable development in Cambodia.
The government in the interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP) and the Socio-economic Development Plan has recognized that the support of small farmers will help to reduce poverty. However, there is a concern about the lack of commitment and political will to improve and broaden public support, both quantity and quality, in research, training and extension to address the complex needs and dynamics of different farming systems in Cambodia.

§ Policy Support
Other issues have been well addressed by the government such as the issue of sub-decree on VLA and the sub-decree on the water user association. They provide good direction and framework for the support of community based agricultural development programs. The availability of human and financial resources and policies to support the effective implementation of these sub-decrees may not available. It is important for the Government to continue to provide appropriate policies in order for agricultural development to occur.

§ Legal access to land by small farmers
An important issue of concern is the legal access to land by small farmers. In addition, there is an increasing trend of farmers losing their land. The number of marginal farmers, i.e. farmers with a landholding of less than one hectare is on the rise. 

§ Agro-chemical
Important steps have been completed to enforce the sub-decree on an Agricultural Materials Standard, such as setting up the Bureau of Agricultural Material Standard (BAMS) and organizing several training activities on the implementation of the sub-decree. However, the most dangerous pesticides (Class I) are still widely available in Cambodia even though they are not allowed to be registered according to regulation. Pesticides that belong to the group of persistent organic pollutant (POP), such as DDT and Chlordane are also widely available and used in Cambodia.

§ Genetically modified organisms
Another potential threat to human health, environment, bio-diversity and local farmers is the lack of any regulation or precautionary measures on genetically modified organisms (GM). For example, it is reported that genetically modified cotton (bt cotton) is being tested in Cambodia.

Recommendations
Research and Development

  • Research programs should focus on developing technologies that respond to the needs of poor farmers not just focus on developing modern or improved seeds and fertilizer and pesticide recommendations. More research on integrated farming and ecological systems of crop intensification and diversification, such as the system of rice intensification, should be promoted.
  • A public extension service should be given priority for the provision of direct support to poor farmers in the form of capacity building, provision of investment capital to poor communities as well as promoting farmer to farmer extension. For the short and medium term, the public service should focus on the sustainable improvement of the living standard of the poor (pro small farmer development policies). 
  • Investing in building capacity of farmers especially training to lead farmers and young farmers, because they are an important motor for socio-economic development of their own communities. It is also important that farmers are supported to organize themselves (farmer organization). In this regard, training of farmer leaders in management and practical leadership is crucial for the success and the sustainability of farmer organizations.
  • Education and activities to raise awareness provide farmers and consumers with information on pesticides, other agro-chemicals as well as genetically modified organisms. Ensuring access to information is a fundamental right of the people.

Institutional and legal framework

  • Effective enforcement of the regulation on pesticide use, and to reduce or eliminate the dangerous pesticides and those belonging to POP such as DDT and Chlordane. 
  • Any precautionary measure should be undertaken by the government to prevent Cambodia from being the testing ground for genetically modified organisms (GMO).
  • There is an urgent need to give farmers land title and to set up an independent body that can facilitate and resolve the land conflict issue. There is also a need to have a clear land use policy, especially to reserve special areas that can accommodate voluntary migrants as the result of the pressure from an increasing population in the lowland and the limited access to employment in the non-agricultural sectors. 
  • Initiate the decentralization of agricultural research and training systems to effectively address the needs of specific agro-ecosystems, i.e. rainfed lowland agro-ecosystem, rainfed upland agro-ecosystem, annual flooded agro-ecosystem (floating rice and flood receding rice), river bank agro-ecosystem. A regional agricultural research and training center should be established while a new mandate of MAFF should be developed.
For further information on the issues raised in this paper, please contact: CEDAC, Tel: 023 880 916, 
Email: cedac@camnet.com.kh
Introduction
Progress
Key NGO priorities
Conclusion
Strategic Planning for Poverty Reduction
Sectoral Papers
Agriculture
Child's Rights
Commune Administration and Decentralization
Commune Elections
Disability and Rehabilitation
Education
Fisheries
Forestry
Gender
Governance and Transparency
Health
HIV/AIDS
Human Rights
Landmines and & UXOs
Land Reform
Mental Health
Micro-finance
Urban Poor
Weapons Reduction and Management
General NGO Information
References

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