From local harvest challenges to national market success, Sopheap’s journey shows how empowering women farmers strengthens livelihoods and Cambodia’s food future. #shefeedscambodia

Along the shifting shoreline of Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, communities live by the rhythm of rising and receding waters. When floods arrive, boats weave between flooded forests. When the lake retreats, land reappears—revealing fertile fields, dry-season homes, and memories of where the water once stood. For families in Kaev Poar and Chong Khneas communes, inland fisheries are not just a source of food—they are identity, culture, and survival. But in recent years, the balance that sustained these communities began to break down. Flooded forests thinned, illegal fishing increased, and CFIs lacked the tools and resources to respond.

Along the Serei Saophoan River in Banteay Meanchey, life has always flowed with the water. For generations, more than 2,100 households in the Phniet Koh Pong Satv Community Fishery have depended on its rich flooded forests for food, income, and survival. But years of unclear boundaries, limited patrols, and rising illegal fishing pushed this lifeline to the brink.

Everything began to change when the EU-funded CAPFISH-Capture Programme, implemented by FiA with FAO’s technical support, reached the community. With four years of small but steady grants and stronger governance, patrols returned, conservation areas were finally protected, and local leadership—including women—stepped forward.

What followed is a powerful story of how a community revived its river—and its confidence.

The National Institute of Statistics (NIS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), today officially released the results of the Cambodia Agriculture Survey (CAS) 2024.

The launch marks Cambodia’s graduation from the “50x2030 Initiative to Close the Agricultural Data Gap.” As one of the initial countries to join the program, and the longest-running participant to date, Cambodia has completed the most agricultural surveys of any nation in the global initiative, six annual surveys since 2019.

The Cambodia Agriculture Forum & Exhibition 2025 (CAFE25) marked a major milestone in strengthening the country’s agrifood sector, bringing together government, farmers, private companies, investors, and development partners under one dynamic platform. Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Council for the Development of Cambodia, FAO through the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, CAPRED, and numerous civil society and private-sector partners, CAFE25 showcased Cambodia’s potential as an emerging agrifood investment hub.

Cambodia is taking bold steps toward a sustainable, low-emission, and climate-resilient agriculture sector. With support from the Green Climate Fund and in partnership with FAO, government leaders and experts have outlined a national climate-smart agriculture investment plan — paving the way for targeted financing, innovative practices, and inclusive growth that leaves no one behind.

 

 

 

Cambodia is stepping up on the global stage!

At the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Cambodia showcased its bold vision for integrated, system-wide agrifood transformation. Led by H.E. Dr. Ouk Makara and H.E. Sok Silo, the delegation shared the nation’s Second Food Systems Roadmap and highlighted cross-sector partnerships driving progress toward sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.

“We must invest in systems—not silos,” Dr. Makara emphasized, as Cambodia called for coordinated action on agriculture, nutrition, climate, and economic growth.

Over 100 stakeholders gathered in Siem Reap to explore smarter animal nutrition practices aimed at reducing antimicrobial use in livestock. The FAO-led workshop spotlighted strategies to curb foodborne antimicrobial resistance and promote sustainable agriculture in Cambodia.

Cambodia celebrates Arbor Day with a royal touch as King Norodom Sihamoni leads a vibrant tree-planting ceremony in Kampong Cham. Joined by national leaders, development partners, and hundreds of citizens, the event highlights Cambodia’s enduring commitment to forest conservation and a greener, sustainable future. 

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From 1–3 July in Siem Reap, over 30 experts and officials from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam joined forces at the AFFIRM Regional Workshop on Integrated Fire Management. Co-hosted by FAO and Cambodia’s Forestry Administration with AFoCO support, the event explored innovative solutions, regional cooperation, and next steps for tackling climate-driven wildfires threatening forests and livelihoods across Southeast Asia.

Cambodia has marked its 20th National Fish Day with renewed emphasis on collective action to conserve and sustainably develop the country’s fisheries resources. The event, held on July 1, 2025, in Bati district, Takeo p...

Farming Smarter, Not Harder: How One Cambodian Pig Farmer is Combating Disease Without Overusing Antibiotics
In Takeo Province, pig breeder Outh Tang is proving that simple changes in farm hygiene and responsible medicine use can make a big difference. With support from Cambodia’s ACT project, Tang is keeping his pigs healthy, reducing reliance on antibiotics, and supporting safer, more sustainable livestock production — all while earning a steady income. His story is part of a growing movement to fight antimicrobial resistance and protect animal and human health across Cambodia.

Across Cambodia, poultry farmers are working hard to keep their animals healthy and productive. One growing concern is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which can occur when antibiotics are overused or used incorrectly. For smallholder farmers, this can mean higher costs, more frequent...

 

Phnom Penh, 27 May 2025 – Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to food safety and international standards through two national workshops held this week in Phnom Penh. Led by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) with technic...

Cambodia launches the Census of Agriculture Cambodia 2023 (CAC 2023), unveiling a landmark dataset that provides the most detailed and nationally representative snapshot of the country's agricultural sector in over a decade. Conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) und...

Phnom Penh, 09 May 2025 – Cambodia is accelerating efforts to modernize...