PROMOTING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN CAMBODIA. Cambiodiversity FINAL REPORT

Transcription

1 Organisation for International Dialogue KEF Project 161 and Conflict Management (IDC) Dr. Angela Meyer Kaiserstrasse 50/ Vienna/ Austria PROMOTING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN CAMBODIA Cambiodiversity FINAL REPORT October 2009 Project financed by the Commission for Development Studies (KEF) at the OeAD-GmbH Dr. Angela Meyer (IDC, Vienna), Project Coordinator DI Veronika Hager (BOKU, Vienna) Dean Sophal Chuong (Royal University of Agriculture (RUA, Phnom Penh)

2 Final Report This Final Report of the Project Cambiodiversity (161) has been compiled in October and November 2009 by the Cambiodiversity Consortium, represented by: Dr. Angela Meyer (Project Coordinator), Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) DI Veronika Hager, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU) Dean Sophal Chuong, Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) All pictures by Angela Meyer, Veronika Hager and Sophal Chuong 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENT 3

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5 List and abbreviations of mentioned organisations and treaties CARDI Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute CEDAC Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture CIRAD Centre de coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement/ French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development DED German Development Service FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation GERES Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environnement et Solidarités GRET Groupe de recherche et d échanges technologiques/ Research and Technological Exchange Group MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries PDAC Project for Diversification of Agriculture in Cambodia PUAC Peri-Urban Agriculture Centre CBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity ITPGR International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources UNEP - GEF United Nations Development Programme - Global Environment Facility UN MDG United Nations Millennium Goal(s) WFP World Food Programme 5

6 1. Introduction and Overview of the Project Background of the project Rice presents the predominant crop in Cambodia. Currently, about 81% of agricultural land are devoted to rice cultivation (MAFF, 2009). As a result, every increase in total agricultural output closely mirrors increases in rice production. Cambodia s agricultural sector is dominated by subsistence or semi-subsistence smallholdings. Rice not only presents a major income source but is also the main basis for the population s nutrition. More than 75% of the average daily caloric intake are covered by rice and even the Khmer word for rice is synonymous for food in general. Since Cambodia has become self sufficient in rice at a national level in 1999, projects and programmes aiming at diversifying Cambodian agriculture have gradually gained momentum. In 1995, the Kingdom ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and is since then increasingly showing conviction to promoting sustainable development. In 2002, it signed the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (ITPGR), nurtured by the FAO and aiming at guaranteeing food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world's plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. However, non-rice crops are still not sufficiently taken into account by national policies or subject to researches, as these primarily continue to be focussed on ricebased farming systems. As a consequence, the agricultural sector is still dominated by rice, and rice production has more or less increased over the last 20 years (FAOSTAT). The cultivation of non-rice crops, in return, such as mungbeans, soybeans, taro or groundnuts, is rather underdeveloped and only serves for home consumption or local markets. The predominance of rice and the neglect of other crops is critical for several reasons. One major problem is the non-balanced nutrition of the population. Cambodia, indeed, has one of the highest malnutrition rates in South-East Asia. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the average diet of Cambodians consists of 78% starchy food, mainly rice and rice porridge with limited nutritional value. Especially children suffer from high levels of malnutrition and insufficient intake of vitamins. The predominance of rice in Cambodia s diet is moreover likely to lead to deficiencies in protein as well as in micronutrients, such as iron and calcium. (WFP, 2009) In addition, due to the dependence on rice as major source, the farmers income in some provinces has been negatively affected, during the last years, by unstable rainfall patterns and repeated drought periods causing important production shortfalls. The national economic concentration on rice also leads to a non-secure and unsustainable food supply. Despite Cambodia s self sufficiency in rice, the country heavily depends on its neighbours for food other than rice. Also extensive monocropping over a long period of time is likely to deplete the soil of certain essential nutrients. 6

7 Finally, on the global level, the predominance of rice in Cambodia s agriculture rises the risk of limited crop-diversity and the disappearance of plant genetic resources. In this perspective, a further diversification of Cambodia s agriculture seems key for promoting the population s balanced nutrition and well-being, fostering the country s sustainable development and economic progress as well as contributing to global biodiversity. However, the feasibility of a further diversification of Cambodia s agricultural sector is not only linked to technical, agronomic and climate related circumstances. It must also take into consideration the conditions, concerns and expectations of the people concerned, notably the farmers. The societal dimension is therefore of central importance, but yet often neglected by studies and research. Aim, approach and purposes of the Project Aim In view of this problematic and in line with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Cambiodiversity s main aim has been to make a substantial contribution to exploring and paving the way towards a further diversification of the Cambodian agricultural sector. In this perspective, the project has aimed to assess and analyse the major multiple reasons and circumstances of the current predominance of rice and to investigate the conditions and especially the technical, economic and social realisability of a stronger and sustainable diversification of Cambodia s agriculture. Especially, through its focus on the social acceptance and farmers expectations and concerns, Cambiodiversity has intended to go a step further than many studies and projects on agricultural diversification that emphasize the agro-climatic context and to pay particular attention to the socio-economic context of the diversification issue. 1 Approach To achieve this aim, the project team has adopted a threefold approach: Assessment activities carried out in the first part of the project were intended to provide a detailed picture of Cambodia s biodiversity and especially the role played by rice. On the one hand, the questions - why rice is playing such a predominant role in Cambodia s agriculture, what is the main context and reasons for this predominance and under what conditions further diversification of the agricultural sector could be possible - guided the review of relevant publications and literature. On the other hand, these issues were discussed with farmers and other relevant stakeholders in a series of interviews in view of better assessing these actors know how, positions and expectations. The idea behind these activities was to get a clearer understanding of the central role played by rice and to discuss ways and possibilities of agro-diversification with farmers, researchers and policy makers directly concerned by these issues. Especially the direct involvement of farmers, of whom in 7

8 total 180 have been interviewed in several provinces of the country, was intended to foster a bottom-up approach in the analysis and elaboration of recommendations. Additional 60 interviews have been conducted with policy makers and technical staff, as well as scientists, researchers and staff from international and non-governmental organisations, in view of complementing and comparing the farmers answers with these groups statements and points of view. A second approach has been to promote the cooperation of the Cambodian project partner, RUA, with other researchers and to strengthen North-South and South-South contacts and networks. The focus here has particularly been set on contacts to international researchers and institutions working on the issue of biodiversity, as well as to experts from other Asian countries where different models for agro-diversification exist. The main activity here has been the joint participation of the project team at the International conference held by the EC FP6 project Diverseeds in Kunming, China, in September This has allowed to meet and strengthen the contacts with this project consortium composed of European, Israeli, Chinese and South-East-Asian experts in agricultural biodiversity and plant genetic resource preservation, and to present the Cambiodiversity project in view of stimulating a discussion on best practices and their applicability on the Cambodian case, as well as on lessons learned and experiences in other, including neighbouring countries. As a third approach towards making a contribution to promoting stronger agricultural biodiversity in Cambodia, the team has jointly elaborated a set of recommendations, reflecting the results and outcomes from the previous project activities, mainly the series of interviews with farmers and other stakeholders. The idea behind was to provide especially stakeholders and policy makers with guidelines and suggestions that consider the position, interests and concerns of farmers and hereby contribute towards making policies more responsive to both, biodiversity concerns and local needs. Purposes The project had four major purposes, closely aligned with the UN Millennium Goals. A first purpose has been to support the Cambodian researchers from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) to study and analyse the context of current rice predominance and assess the context and circumstances of agro-diversification. Apart from contributing to advancing their research on biodiversity in their country, a special focus has notably been set on giving in particular master students the possibility to get involved, mainly in the conduction and evaluation of stakeholder interviews, to have more practical training, and to gain more insight in the conditions in the farmer villages. The EC FP6 project Diverseeds (Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia) has been implemented from 12/ 2006 until 11/ 2008, under the coordination of IDC. The project s aim was to encourage international dialogue and co-operation to find ways of safeguarding and preserving plant genetic resources. The Diverseeds consortium has encompassed four Asian partners - the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China, the Khon Kaen University in Thailand and the Hanoi Agricultural University in Vietnam -, four European institutions - IDC (Austria), the BOKU (Austria), the University of Kassel (Germany) and the Birmingham University (United Kingdom), as well as the international research organization Bioversity-IPGRI and the Volcani Institute (Israel). 8

9 As second purpose, the project was intended to make a contribution to the reduction of poverty in Cambodia. The project hereby emphasised the relevance of crop diversity and agro-biodiversity for promoting and achieving major factors relevant for poverty alleviation, such as a balanced nutrition, food security, better diversified market conditions, reduced external dependencies and vulnerability for economic crises and shortages. Closely linked, the team also intended to pay particular attention to relevant gender aspects and promote the role of women. This intention is primarily based on the acknowledgement that, for long, biodiversity and sustainable development issues have been addressed in gender neutral way, assuming that constraints impact men and women in similar ways. This has led in most cases to gender blind policies and projects that have not been adapted to the reality and have thereby failed to address the specific needs and concerns of both gender groups. A third purpose of Cambiodiversity has therefore been to emphasize, by focusing on the specific situation in Cambodia - and mainly in Cambodia s countryside -, the central role played by women for achieving sustainable development and efficient biodiversity conservation. Women indeed are significantly involved in local farming and crop production, and mainly responsible for the preparation of food and the families nutrition. Improving their knowledge and understanding, especially as regards the importance of balanced food choice and diets, would increase their awareness on the necessity of diversified farming and crop-diversity. At the same time, women are most often excluded from major decision making and policy processes, as they lack the ability and possibilities to access appropriate channels. One of the project s intentions has therefore been to particularly involve women in the assessment activities and to give them the possibility to express their needs, concerns and expectations in the interviews. A fourth purpose has finally been to raise the awareness on the global importance and urgency of protecting and conserving the world s biodiversity and to contribute to the promotion of global sustainable development. Project Team The project team has consisted of two Austrian and one Cambodian institutions. The basis for this very well working cooperation had already been set in the frame of the EC FP6 project Agrofolio - Benefiting from an Improved Agricultural Portfolio in Asia. As members of this project consortium, the three partners had already worked together in identifying neglected and underutilized species (NUS) in Cambodia, as well as in a couple of other Asian countries, and in elaborating ways for their protection and conservation. This well proved collaboration, as well as the identified further research needs had encouraged the partners to renew and consolidate their collaboration. The project implementation was based on a jointly elaborated project plan and distribution of tasks according to capacities and priorities. The Austrian coordinator IDC essentially contributed to the project management and coordination. Besides administrative and management activities, IDC also guided the Detailed information on the EU FP6 project Agrofolio, as well as the project s final report presenting all major outcomes are available on the project s website 9

10 preparatory tasks for the assessment activities, notably by drafting the questionnaire for stakeholder interviews and the guidelines for the literature review, assisted the analysis of results and coordinated the meetings, the attendance of the International Conference in China, and the information event by the end of the project. The part of RUA, in contrast, was a more practical one, as the university completed the assessment and the major part of the analysis activities under the cooperation and monitoring of IDC. Project partner BOKU assisted both project partners: It contributed to the management activities of IDC as well as advised RUA in the assessment and evaluation activities. Project Management The Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) (Dr. Angela Meyer) - Vienna, AUSTRIA IDC is an interdisciplinary policy research organisation based in Vienna and established under the Austrian Law of Associations (Vereinsgesetz) since Composed of experts from different scientific and professional backgrounds, IDC has developed a strong commitment to international environmental issues, by paying particular attention to biodiversity, potential impacts of environmental challenges and transformations for sustainable social and economic development, as well as the importance and possibilities of civil society involvement towards sustainable policy making and agenda setting. Over the past years, IDC has coordinated and taken part in a total of five EC FP projects and four nationally funded research projects. Role and Task in the Project: Within Cambiodiversity, IDC has been in charge of the supervision and management of the project activities. The project coordination has been ensured by Angela Meyer who has overseen and coordinated the advancement of the project according to the project plan, ensured the communication within the consortium and with the contractor (KEF), provided the administrative management and coordinated the regular and accurate reporting of the project's results. As the coordinator, Angela Meyer has also supported the partners from RUA in the preparation and conduction of assessment activities, assisted the organisation of the project meeting in Phnom Penh in August 2008 and of the Information Event at RUA in September 2009, and guided the elaboration of recommendations. In addition, the regular exchange and networking with the international scientific community has been promoted, notably in view of possibilities for cooperation, synergies and followup projects. 10

11 Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) Kaiserstrasse 50/ Vienna, Austria Tel: Project Collaborator in Austria University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Agronomy and Plant Breeding (DI Veronika Hager) - Vienna, AUSTRIA The Institute s central goal is the development of integrated plant production methodologies that decrease the risks for environmental degradation, guarantee high productivity and good quality for further food production. In plant breeding the methodological basis and its practical applications are investigated to develop new varieties (genotypes) with an increased genetic potential towards, yield, quality and resistance. Therefore the Institute has growing interest in the sustainable use of plant genetic resources. Recent projects dealt e.g. with old traditional crop varieties, underutilized crops and plant production in tropical and subtropical regions. In the context of cooperation with developing countries several projects were carried out in cooperation with African and Asian partners. These projects are also meant for education and qualification of young scientists in developing countries. Role and Task in the Project: As project partner, BOKU has been responsible for assisting and supporting the partners at RUA in implementing the major research activities. Veronika Hager has provided advice for the conduction of interviews with farmers, the review activities and the elaboration and finalisation of the project's recommendations. Veronika Hager has moreover assisted Angela Meyer in the project management and reporting, the organisation of meetings and events and the regular dissemination of results, notably through the project website. Institute of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Gregor Mendel Strasse Vienna, Austria 11

12 Project Collaborator in Cambodia The Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) (Dean Sophal Chuong) Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA The Royal University of Agriculture is a public administrative institution with the mission to offer quality education and training programs to students and staff in rural and agricultural fields; to conduct rural and agricultural research themes in close cooperation with local and international research institutes and industrial companies; and to create an information center for disseminating agricultural sciences and technology to farm communities. The RUA Faculty of Agronomy specializes in agricultural science concerned with theory and practice of field-crop production and soil management. Its objectives are: - through applied and basic research, to seek relevant knowledge in the area of agronomy and agricultural sciences; - to extend relevant knowledge and professional skills in the area of agronomy and agricultural sciences to students through an appropriate educational curriculum; and - to extend new, relevant knowledge concerning agricultural production methods and strategies, as well as resource management and conservation, to farmers and the agricultural community at large. Role and Tasks in the project: As project partner in Cambodia, RUA has been responsible for the implementation of the project on the ground, including the carrying out of the assessment activities, the organisation of a project meeting and the Information Event and dissemination and awareness raising activities. Under the supervision of Sophal Chuong, Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy, a group of students and graduates has conducted a series of interviews with farmers, scientists, decisionmakers and other relevant stakeholders in Phnom Penh and several Cambodian provinces and undertaken intense literature review and research activities focused on the predominant position of rice in the country. In close cooperation with IDC and BOKU, RUA has processed and analysed the collected data and elaborated target group specific recommendations. Royal University of Agriculture Dongkor District Phnom Penh, Cambodia, P.O.Box: 2696 Tel:(855) / Fax:(855)

13 From left: Angela Meyer, Sophal Chuong, Veronika Hager (Sept. 2008) 13

14 2. Activities The project Cambiodiversity was structured into five work packages. Work package 1 encompassed all coordination and management activities, including the production of the mid-term and the final report. Work package 2 covered all assessment and survey activities in Cambodia in form of interviews with farmers, policy-makers and selected stakeholders, as well as the review of major relevant publications and the composition of the assessment report. 4 Work package 3 included the organization of the project meeting at Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the joint attendance of the project partners of the International Conference on Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia in Kunming, China. Work package 4 focused on the elaboration of recommendations and their presentation in a summarizing report and on a specific Information Event at the RUA premises in Phnom Penh at the final phase of the project. Work package 5 comprised all dissemination activities, notably the set up and regular update of a project website and the production and circulation of information material. (e.g. folder and poster) Gantt chart of the project activities, as defined in the project proposal (submitted 01/2008: NB: The International Conference was initially planned to take place in Beijing and was then organised in Kunming. 14

15 Work packages 1 and 5 run for the entire duration of the project, i.e. from April 2008 until October Work package 3 had entirely been implemented during the first reporting period (April January 2009). While work package 2 had its essential activities during this first time span too, some of its activities were finalized during the second period (January - October 2009). Work package 4 was performed during the last 6 months of the project Major activities within Work package 1 The major activities performed within work package 1 were intended to support and guarantee the coordination and administrative management of the project. They primarily consisted in monitoring, overseeing and assisting the project s advancement and guaranteeing a work flow and progress according to the initially established work plan and the set deadlines. One major task had moreover been the preparation of the midterm progress report and the here presented final report Major activities within Work package 2 Focusing on the assessment of Cambodia s agriculture, the reasons and circumstances of the predominance of rice and possible approaches for diversification, this work package covered three major activity clusters: (1) the preparation of assessment activities, (2) their conduction and (3) the final evaluation and analysis. The first part, the preparation of guidelines for the review and interview activities, had been jointly performed by the researchers from IDC, BOKU and RUA during the first months of the project. Through exchange of s, and regular face-to-face contact of the Austrian partners the team started by discussing, on the one hand, what information the literature review should allow to provide and what kind of publications should hence be consulted. On the other hand, and in a similar way, they identified major issues and topics to be addressed during the interviews and how these could best be formulated in questions. Based on these considerations, they jointly elaborated a template to be used for collecting the needed information during the literature review, as well as two sets of questionnaires - one to be used with farmers, and the other one to be used with policy-makers, researchers and other relevant stakeholders. During the project meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in August 2008, the team jointly undertook a first series of pre-test interviews with farmers in the provinces of Kampong Speu and Kandal. 15

16 Interview with farmers Afterwards, the project partners discussed the appropriateness of the questionnaires and made minor changes and adaptations. It was agreed to begin the major part of the interviews after the ending of the rainy season (i.e. from end of September on), in order to have better accessibility conditions. The second part of work package 2, the conduction of interviews and the review of relevant documentation, has been started, as convened, from end of September/ beginning of October on. (1) Interviews Locations and number of interviews conducted A total of 240 interviews have been conducted allover Cambodia. By December 2008, interviews with representatives of farming households throughout Cambodia were completed. In total, the team from RUA interviewed 180 representatives of farming households in 12 provinces of Cambodia. In addition, 29 policy makers, mainly district-level Ministry of Agriculture workers in the provinces, and 31 researchers, scientists and staff from international and non governmental organizations have been interviewed. Whereas, 48,33% of the interviewed farmers were women, the policy-makers were all male and only one woman was among the researchers and scientists involved in these activities. Province Districts per Province Name of Districts Respondents per Province Battambang 7 Kampong Speu 3 Kampot 4 Ek Phnom; Sang Ke; Bor Vil; Thmor Kol; Mong Reussey; Battambang; Ratana Mondol Samrong Torng; Phnom Sruoch; Korng Pisey Trapeang Thom; Dang Torng; Kpg

17 Province Districts per Province Name of Districts Respondents per Province Trach; Banteay Meas Kandal 3 Saang; Mouk Kampoul; Pognealoeu 15 Kpg Cham 5 Tbong Khmum; Tam Be; Chamcar Leu; Kpg Siem; Prey Chhor 15 Kpg Kpg Chhnang; Rolea Pha Ear; 3 Chhnang Kpg Leng 15 Kpg Thom 3 Stong; Prasat Sambo; San Touk 15 Kratie 3 Sam Bo; Chhlong; Sluol 15 Prey Veng 4 Kpg Leav; Peam Ro; Preas Sdach; Kpg Tra Bek 15 Ratanakiri 1 O Chhum 15 Siem Reap 2 Puok; Banteay Srey 15 Stung Treng 2 Siem Bok; Thala Boravath 15 Total 180 of which Men: 95 Women: 85 Locations and amounts of interviews conducted with a representative of a farm household in 12 provinces of Cambodia. The 12 provinces where interviews with representatives of farming households were conducted included: - Seven lowland provinces, where rainfed rice agriculture dominates (Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kandal, Prey Veng and Siem Reap), - Four upland provinces, where more diversified agricultural practices are common (Kampong Cham, Kratie, Ratanakiri and Stung Treng) - and a single coastal province (Kampot). The names of each district in which households were selected for interview are given in the table below, while their approximate location within Cambodia in shown in the following map. 17

18 Approximate location of the district in the 12 provinces where interviews with representatives of farming households took place. (map by Sophal Chuong) In total, 29 policy makers have been interviewed. Additional interviews have been carried out with 31 researchers, scientists and staff from international and non governmental organizations. Methodology behind location and respondent selection and interviewing The RUA team was composed of the following researchers: Mr. Chuong Sophal, Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy; Mr. Ro Sophoan Rith, Lecturer at the Faculty of Agronomy and project assistant; Mr. Ly Tyneth, forth year B.Sc. student, Faculty of Agronomy; and Mr. Preap Madora, forth year B.Sc. student, Faculty of Agronomy. The twelve provinces were selected on the basis of agro-ecosystem (i.e. upland, lowland and coastal) in order to guarantee a fairly good representation of Cambodia as a whole. Subsequently the director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture of each selected province was contacted. The objective of the project was explained to the director, who was then asked to provide background details on the agricultural situation and history of the province, and hence to point out authorities that could facilitate interviews with farmers, as well as technical staff and policymakers that could be used for interviews. 18

19 Within the provinces, the selection of districts and then communities was done at random. In every district, four to five households per commune were asked for interview. To ensure the representativeness of the data collected, it was decided to conduct a total of 15 interviews with farmers in every province, making a total of 180 interviews for all 12 selected provinces. The conduction of interviews with policy makers and technical staff was sometimes retarded due to the often busy agendas of these stakeholders and the difficulty to fix appointments.. All interviews were conducted using the jointly elaborated questionnaire and according to the predetermined interview guideline. While few of the interviews posed any major problems, it was evident that many farmers were often reluctant to provide family information, possibly because they had negative experiences with similar types of surveys. After the objectives of the research were made clear to the farmers, however, it was generally very easy to discuss with them information, views and opinions relevant to the research. (2) Review activities For the review, the two students, Mr. Ly Tyneth and Mr. Preap Madora, as well as the dean, Mr. Chuong Sophal, contacted the relevant libraries at the relevant ministries, academic institutions or NGO/GOs. Subsequently, documents related to crop production in Cambodia, to agricultural history, to past and recent crop production, agricultural market, agricultural policy, constraints and strategies to circumvent constraints were selected. Often, access to literature was difficult and unfortunately, not much could be borrowed. In total, 34 publications have been reviewed, of which: - 11 Scientific publications and documents; - 18 Reports by national and international institutions; - 2 Policy texts - 2 Journal Articles - 1 Project/ Conference Report The detailed results from the review have been summarized in the project s Assessment Report and form, together with the interview outcomes, the main pillar for the analysis Major activities within Work package 3 Work package 3 was organized around the two meetings and their preparation: a project meeting of the team at RUA in Phnom Penh and the joint attendance of the International Conference on plant genetic resource conservation in Kunming, China. In order to save travel costs, it has been agreed by the team to schedule the meeting at RUA in accordance with the China conference. Hence, Angela Meyer from IDC and Veronika Hager from BOKU met their partners from RUA from August 25 th to 19

20 August 31 st, and subsequently participated at the International Conference, together with Sophal Chuong from RUA. In addition, and not initially foreseen in the project plan, Chuong Sophal came to Vienna to attend the round table dicussion, which was coordinated by the Commission for Development Studies at the OeAD-GmbH (KEF) at April, 15 th Project Meeting in Cambodia, The project meeting in Cambodia encompassed a half-day meeting at the Royal University for Agriculture to discuss the implementation of the project, to evaluate already completed and schedule projected activities and to visit the university s premises. Moreover, the meeting included the preparation and carrying out of first joint series of interviews with farmers in communes around the city of Phnom Penh. Meeting at RUA, The first project meeting of the KEF funded project Cambiodiversity was held on 26 August 2008 in the Dean s office at Royal University for Agriculture. On August 26 th, Angela Meyer and Veronika Hager met with their partner from RUA, Dean Sophal Chuong. They were joined by Adrian Bolliger (adviser from the German Development Service, DED) and a group of Cambodian students involved in the implementation of Cambiodiversity at RUA. At the beginning of the meeting, Sophal Choung and his students briefly reported on the assessment and review activities underway. They explained their way of proceeding for the review and evaluation of already existing material and information relevant for the project and what progress have already been achieved in assessing the current agricultural situation in Cambodia, the predominance of rice and the feasibility of further biodiversification. Moreover, they presented some of the most important documentation and publication they were mainly consulting for collecting most relevant facts, information and knowledge. During the second part of the meeting, the project participants discussed the foreseen interview activities. Together, they went through the interview guidelines and questionnaires they had jointly prepared previously. Sophal Chuong presented the changes and modifications he considered important to make on the initial drafts. The team discussed more intensively the conduction of interviews with farmers as the first set of interviews foreseen in the project. As it has been a major concern of the project to cover as many provinces as possible, the team localised the different concerned rural areas on a map and discussed their differences, specificities and importance for the project. As a last part of the meeting, it was agreed to start a first joint set of interviews with farmers on 28 and 29 August. The participants decided to visit first a village in the commune of Kaheng in Kampong Speu Province where mainly rice is cultivated. For the second day it was planned to interview farmers in the province of Kandal, first in the commune of Krang Yov where agricultural cultivation is mainly based on vegetables, and second in Tik Vil where again mainly rice is cultivated. 20

21 Finally, Angela Meyer and Veronika Hager visited the Faculty s facilities (laboratories, auditoriums), the University s experimental fields. Veronika Hager, Angela Meyer, a student from RUA, Adrian Bolliger and Sophal Chuong (from left) in Sophal Chuong s office at RUA Students working in RUA s test fields First series of interviews with farmers, 28. and On 28 and 29 August, a first joint series of interviews had been conducted by the Cambiodiversity team with farmers in the Provinces of Kampong Speu and Kandal. In the Kampong Speu Province, the project team visited a farmer and his family. Interviews were conducted with the family members by the project involved students, according to the previously jointly elaborated guidelines and questionnaire. A more or less equitable involvement of men and women in the interview activities was respected. Afterwards, the Cambiodiversity participants visited the farmer s fields. Although this farmer mainly cultivated rice for family consumption and as major source of income, he also produced vegetables on a contractual basis for local and international NGOs. He showed the Cambiodiversity team some fields with Batavia lettuce, tomatoes and green beans cultivated for a local and a Belgian NGO that sold the crops to hotels and restaurant in Cambodian tourist areas. RUA students interviewing farmers in Kampong Speu Province. 21 Interviews with land workers in Kandal province.

22 Further interviews were conducted in the commune of Krang Yov in the province of Kandal. Kandal is one of the major vegetable producing provinces in Cambodia. A couple of interviews were undertaken with a group of land workers and a land owner. The fields in the visited area are used for the production of sugar cane, beets, beans and lettuce. Harvest is usually sold on local markets or transported to markets in the capital of Phnom Penh. Finally, a last series of interviews has been conducted with a farmer family in the commune of Tik Vil in the Kandal Province. In contrast to the previously visited villages in this province, farmers in this area predominantly cultivate rice. The interviewed farmer grows rice on a total surface of apprx. 1 ha. Interviewing the farmer on his rice fields (Tik Vil) Interviews with the farmer s family (Tik Vil). Concluding meeting, Following these first three sessions, the Cambiodiversity team had a final meeting to discuss the conduct, results and outcomes of the interviews, necessary amendments on the questionnaire and ways for improvement. All partners agreed that the willingness of the farmers to take part in the interviews was considerably high and certainly will allow the conduction of the scheduled number of interviews. It was moreover noted that especially women were very interested in participating and that hence gender balance can be respected. The questionnaire was adapted according to these first experiences. International Conference in Kunming, China, From 2 to 5 September, 2008, the Cambiodiversity partners, Angela Meyer, Veronika Hager and Sophal Chuong attended the International Conference organised in the Chinese city of Kunming by the consortium of the EU FP6 project Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia (DIVERSEEDS). The main aim of the project DIVERSEEDS, that was implemented from December 2007 until November 2008, has been to promote cooperation, networking and 22

23 (knowledge) exchange on genetic resources and their management between European and Asian researchers and to open European research networks to Asian experts in view of globally improving a sustainable use of plant genetic resources. The DIVERSEEDS consortium is composed of plant genetic experts from Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Israel, China, Thailand and Vietnam that have closely worked together during the 2-years duration of the project in view of contributing to the establishment of a strong communication and exchange platform. As a final output of the project, the consortium elaborated a set of joint recommendations on how to improve EU-Asian cooperation in the field of plant genetic resource management. The conference in Kunming was the second and last meeting of the entire consortium before the project s ending by November For the Cambiodiversity project team, the participation at this conference has been an important possibility to meet with European and Asian experts working on different aspects and approaches of biodiversity conservation and to present and discuss the Cambiodiversity project. On 2 September, Angela Meyer and Sophal Chuong were given the floor to make a presentation of Cambiodiversity, its aims and objectives, the different activities and the main achievements since its start. Sophal Chuong moreover briefly outlined the current situation of Cambodia s agriculture and the problem related to the predominance of rice. The following day was used for discussion in working groups. As one of the working groups was focused on outlining ideas for fellow up projects and initiatives, as well as possible synergies and networking with other projects, the Cambiodiversity partners stressed the question what form of cooperation could be possible between the two project teams. Representatives from the Khon Kaen University in neighbouring Thailand for instance briefly reported on the comparable situation in their country and how rice fields are used during the dry season for the cultivation of other crops. A joint follow-up project might hence build on these experiences and practices, and deepen the cooperation between RUA and the Thai partner institutions. An Israeli expert made an interesting remark on irrigation methods that are currently developed for Israel s agriculture and that might also be relevant for promoting the cultivation of non-rice crops during the dry season in Cambodia. On the third day of the Conference, the participants had an excursion to the village of Dashao (Sondming County) in Yunnan province, where farmers practise traditional dry-upland farming. The agriculture is very rich and diversified in these areas, with crops ranging from barley, maize and buckwheat to favabean, raddish, potato and other vegetables. Currently, a UNEP-GEF supported project is being implemented in Dashao focusing on the relationship between genetic diversity and disease control for barley. At the end of the excursion, the participants visited the Kunming gene bank. 23

24 Angela Meyer, giving a presentation on the project Cambiodiversity. Sophal Chuong, making a presentation on Cambodia s agriculture and current challenges and concerns as major background of Cambiodiversity. The Cambiodiversity Team, in front of the Conference entrance. The Conference Participants (Angela Meyer, Sophal Chuong and Veronika Hager are standing in the first row as 4th, 6 th and 8 th from left.) Round table dicussion, On 15 April 2009, the founding agent KEF organised a roundtable at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU, Vienna) to discuss previous activities and preliminary outcomes and findings of Cambiodiversity. Apart from Angela Meyer and Sophal Chuong, representing the Cambiodiversity project, the panel was composed of two Austrian experts, Prof. Dr. Ralph Gretzmacher (BOKU, Institute of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Vienna) and Prof. Dr. Rainer Haas (BOKU, Department of Economic and Social Sciences, Vienna). The roundtable was chaired by KEF Chairman Prof. Dr. Gerhard Glatzel (BOKU, Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, Vienna). 24

25 First photo from left to right: Dr. Angela Meyer, RUA-Dean Sophal Chuong, Prof. Dr. Rainer Haas, Prof. Dr. Ralph Gretzmacher / Second photo from left to right: RUA-Dean Sophal Chuong, Prof. Dr. Rainer Haas, Prof. Dr. Ralph Gretzmacher The roundtable was opened by a presentation of the panel and some introducing remarks by Prof. Dr. Glatzel and started with two presentations given by Angela Meyer on the project itself (outline, aims, activities, expected outcomes) and by Sophal Chuong on the current situation and challenges of Cambodia's agriculture and some preliminary outcomes from the conducted interviews and assessment activities. The panel experts and the audience were then invited to ask questions and give comments. The roundtable's audience was mainly composed of Austrian and international students. Major issues raised included: - the issue of water shortage and lacking irrigation systems that currently hinder the repeated cultivation of rice fields; - the possibility of crop rotation and examples from other countries in the region that might be followed; - the role of policy makers and other stakeholders and the problem of effective implementation of agreed policies and strategies; - the problem of instable markets and the risk of insecure income as barriers for agro-diversification in Cambodia (example of Cassava that has been grown by Cambodian farmers in response to the increased demand of the previous year, largely due to the use of Cassava as biofuel to compensate the high oil prices. After the decrease of demand for Cassava and the market prices, many farmers witnessed a severe income loss and returned back to rice cultivation.) 25

26 2.4. Major activities within Work package 4 Based on the interviews, assessment results and inputs collected at the Information Event in September 2009 in Phnom Penh recommendations how agricultural diversification could be promoted were elaborated in the second phase of the project. 6 Information Event in Phnom Penh, participants from different institutions discussed about strategies to promote the Agro-biodiversity in Cambodia. Attendance included representatives from the General Direction of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Provincial Department of Agriculture of the provinces of Kampot, Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham, Kandal and Kampong Chhnang, as well as from the Royal University of Agriculture ( RUA ) and several donor organisations, such as the French Research and Technological Exchange Group (GRET) and the German Development Service (DED). Besides scientists and policy makers, also local farmers were invited to show their points of view. The Information Event ended with a Get together where all stakeholders were given the opportunity to meet and exchange. Opening of the Event by RUA s rector, Dr. Men Sarom The plenary session Get together at the end of the Event 26

27 2.5. Major activities within Work package 5 The Dissemination work package run throughout the entire duration of the project. As major activities within the first reporting period, a project website had been set up. It is hosted on the homepage of the Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) and will be maintained also after the end of the project. The address of the Cambiodiversity website is biodiversity. This site is intended to provide essential information on the project, its aims, objectives and major tasks and activities and to briefly present the project participants and their institutions. The site has regularly been updated. 27

28 3. Outcomes and Impact 3.1 Analysis of assessment results In line with Cambiodiversity s overall aim to promote the understanding of the predominant position of rice and circumstances for further crop diversification in Cambodia s agricultural sector, the carried out assessment activities have focused on collecting the views and know how of farmers, scientists and other concerned stakeholders on these issues. The interviews, conducted in the capital of Phnom Penh and in several provinces, as well as the review of relevant literature and publications, have allowed to gather the following information. Reasons for the predominance of rice in Cambodia In terms of respondents answers about why they were cultivating rice or their opinions on why rice was generally so predominant, (1) all respondent (100%) gave the need to grow rice for household consumption as the main reason. Several respondents explained that apart from just being the usual and long-established thing to do, growing their own rice was cheaper than buying it from the market. (2) 98% of respondents also gave the fact that rice could easily be sold as a second reason for cultivating rice, often elaborating that they perceived the market for rice to be more stable than that of many or most other non-rice crops, simply because there would always be a demand for rice, whereas this was not guaranteed for other crops. As an example, one interviewed farmer stated that last year he grew sugar cane but the travelling hawker did not come to his village. As he had no other selling possibility or access to a market, his harvest was wasted. (3) 51% of respondents further stated that rice was also grown because it was easy to manage in terms of pests and diseases. Having cultivated rice for many generations, Cambodian farming households have extensive experience with rice cultivation and hence also feel confident about being able to appropriately manage any pest and diseases situations that may arise. With other, newer crops, on the other hand, they lack this confidence. (4) 23% of respondents lauded the easy storage properties of rice, stating that they did not need to worry about elaborate post harvest facilities or activities when cultivating rice, while this was certainly the case with some other, more perishable crops. (5) Finally, 22% of respondents noted the value of rice straw and husks for feeding cattle and pigs, often part of the farming system. Other crops that did not produce such a by-product often necessitated the buying-in of extra animal feed. 28

29 Background information to explain the current situation On a national scale, the predominance of rice is rooted in historical, cultural/traditional, political, economic and agro-ecological reasons. Historical, cultural and traditional: Khmer farmers have been growing rain fed rice for at least 2,000 years (possibly longer in the case of upland rice), while irrigated rice production technologies were first introduced along trade routes from India about 1,500 years ago (Chandler, 1993; Nesbitt, 1997). During the Angkor era (9 th -14 th Century), elaborate irrigation systems were constructed which reportedly allowed up to three rice harvests per year (Pillot, 2007) and the economic power of Angkor was rooted in rice agriculture. This perceived importance of rice has retained its predominant position in the Cambodian culture and tradition. Every year after harvest, for example, Cambodian farmers celebrate the Dalean Ceremony to give thanks to the land and the ancestors for granting a good rice harvest, while the Royal Ploughing Ceremony early in the year is used to predict rice yields for the coming season. Politically and economically: Economically and politically, rice too has played and plays a crucial role in Cambodian society. A large proportion of the population is currently directly dependant on rice yields for its livelihood, both in terms of subsistence and/or for income. Food security in Cambodian is closely associated to rice production. When, after nearly four years of Khmer Rouge misrule ( ), Cambodia rice harvests failed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, for example, the country was plunged into rampant and devastating famine, a phenomenon that gnawed itself deep into the Cambodian psyche. Accordingly, the strategy of various succeeding governments has always focused on increasing rice production as a means to feed the population. Indeed, although with more land put under rice and gradual gains in rice productivity, Cambodia became self-sufficient in rice on a national level about a decade ago (1999), strong regional disparities exist in food or rice security, with year-to-year performances also being variable. Agro-ecologically: Finally, the predominant agro-ecological conditions in the most populated areas of Cambodia lend themselves well to rice production. The regions around the main water bodies on the central plains, especially in the Great lake (Tonle Sap) basin, are home to almost 90% of Cambodians, and it is these regions where the lion s share of Cambodian agriculture is practised. Much of this area, in turn, is either dominated by sandy plain soils of relatively poor fertility or subject to periodical inundation. While many rice varieties and species, as well as many common or traditional rice cultivation systems used by Khmer farmers, are adapted to such circumstances, these conditions restrict the use of many other crops that are sensitive to water logging or require higher soil fertility to flourish, etc. 29

30 Use of rice in Cambodia The primary use for the rice grown by farmers in Cambodia is for subsistence: almost half (47%) of all the farming households interviewed grew rice exclusively for household consumption or stored as seed for the next season. Nevertheless, 53% of interviewed households sold the rice that exceeded household subsistence, and on average just under a quarter (23%) of rice grown by all surveyed farmers was sold. These figures are slightly higher than estimates by Ngo and Mund (Ngo/ Mund, 2006) who put the proportion of rice consumed for subsistence in Cambodia at 60-65% of overall output, and considerably higher than a recent report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which put the proportion of rice used for household subsistence at 50% (MAFF, 2009). In terms of seasonal variations in rice use, a relatively higher proportion of rice grown during the dry season is used commercially than that of rice grown over the rainy season. Regional differences between the amount of rice that is consumed for subsistence or sold ostensibly also relate back to the seasonal differences. Our interview data, for example, indicated that the proportion of rice used for subsistence was virtually identical among smallholder farmers of the lowland and upland regions (77%) - which are regions where farmers sometimes sow dry season rice in addition to rainy season rice. In contrast, it is marginally lower when compared to proportion of rice used for subsistence in the coastal province of Kampot (86%), where farmers almost exclusively grow shallow water rice in the rainy season. Rice varieties: The farmer survey indicates that smallholder farmers rarely use a different variety of rice explicitly for sale than that sown for consumption. Only as part of a strategy to reduce risks and to distribute labour, many farmers do plant several rice varieties in the same field in separate small plots. While a high proportion of less commercial rainy-season rice varieties are traditional, estimates from 2004 put about 70-80% of the dry-season cultivated areas under high-yielding varieties, which are often imported from Vietnam (FAO, 2004). In addition, some farmers mentioned that low-yield varieties often have better taste and are therefore kept for own consumption, whereas high-yielding varieties are sold on the market. Moreover, some varieties play specific roles within the celebration of traditional holidays. Cultivation of non-rice crops Non-rice annual crops account for a little over 12% of the cultivated area according to recent data from the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) (MAFF 2009). Most of them are grown in more fertile upland areas. Many Cambodian farmers grow vegetables on a small-scale in plots near their houses for household consumption or local sale. - Soybean is the most important non-rice crop in terms of area planted, while pulses in general are the most important group of upland crops. - Maize in turn is the most important non-rice cereal crop and is grown for cash rather than as a subsistence crop. Together with soybean and mungbean, maize accounts for almost 4% of the total cultivated area of Cambodia. 30

31 - Cassava is the most important root crop in Cambodia with an annual production of approximately 30,000 t. - Rubber is the most important perennial crop, grown mainly on red-black upland soils, and both cassava and rubber cultivation have enjoyed strong growth in recent years. - In terms of cultivated area under fruit trees, cashew, banana, coconut, mango, citrus fruits and jackfruit are the most common. Bananas are grown in all provinces, but Kampong Cham and Kampot are the largest producers of bananas for export. Cashew nuts are grown mainly in Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom Provinces, while the largest coconut cultivation occurs in Kandal and Kampot Provinces and the Kampot and Takeo Provinces are the largest producers of mango. Durian, longan, sapodilla and star apple are also cultivated on small areas, usually in home or village gardens throughout the country. Asked about their opinions why non-rice crops were being grown, all respondents agreed that such crops were used to complement household consumption and/or for sale. 53% stated that some non-rice crops were also grown because of the relative short duration from planting to harvesting. 5% said that non-rice crops were either good for soil fertility or for health and were hence grown for these reasons. Obstacles or barriers towards further diversification of Cambodian agriculture From the point of view of surveyed farmers, obstacles to increasing the proportion of non-rice crops are mainly centred on the relative difficulty or unfamiliarity with cultivating various non-rice crops. Nearly all interviewed farmers (97%) stated that with non-rice crops there were more problems with insect and disease attack than compared to rice, while 13% elaborated that increasing climatic vagaries, to which rice was less susceptible, exacerbated the situation with respect to pest and disease incidence. In consequence, farmers did not feel confident enough in the relevant pest and disease control strategies to risk growing new and unfamiliar crops. Indeed, 62% of respondents stated that they did not know enough about appropriate cultivation techniques or systems for non-rice crops, and hence felt it would be risky to grow them. Another salient point made by 94% of respondents was that they perceived the market for alternative crops to be insufficiently strong or stable compared to that for rice. Even if a certain crop attracted a high farm gate price in one year, many respondents felt the demand could change from one instant to another and prices could drop at harvest time the following season, heightening the risk of changing from one crop to another, especially given the investments necessary to do so. 13% of respondents also gave the lack of an appropriate local processing industry for non-rice crops as a barrier to diversification, which undoubtedly contributed to the perception that markets for non-rice products were less lucrative and arguably less stable market. Indeed, several interviewed knowledge gatekeepers and policy makers concurred that the relative dearth of appropriate processing 31

32 facilities for various crops and products meant that Cambodia exported agricultural products in a raw or semi-raw state to neighbouring Vietnam or Thailand, thereby losing out on the opportunity of value-adding to products and thereby making the growing of rice more lucrative, if not also potentially less volatile. A further barrier to increasing the proportion of non-rice crops is related to the fact that the rainy season is used mainly to grow the rice necessary for household subsistence, hence leaving the dry season as the only real window to plant other crops. The relative dearth of irrigation, however, limits off-season non-rice production - a point made by 87% of respondents. Regular flooding during the wet season in the low-lying, densely-populated areas around the Great Lake and other waterways that form the heartland of Cambodian agriculture, combined with the predominance of poorly productive sandy and acidic soils, mean that large swaths of traditional agriculture land, while suitable for rainy season rice cultivation, are not well suited to many other crops. Additionally, inadequate extension services and knowledge transfer from research to Cambodian farmers often mean that farmers cannot capitalise on potential market niches or best practice technologies for non-rice crops. This results in rice retaining a dominating position in Cambodian agriculture, although the projects and programmes aimed at diversifying Cambodian agriculture are gradually gaining momentum. In addition, unrestricted livestock grazing during the dry season, which is common especially in Kampong Speu Province, actually destroys fields of non-rice crops, 18% of respondents lamented. Finally, 18% of respondents also claimed that there is a lack of external incentives in terms of seeds and equipment donations for them to be able to attempt crop diversification. Policies, programmes and projects to overcome the barriers The MAFF s Agricultural Sector Strategic Development Plan promotes the concept of diversifying the Cambodian agricultural sector. It is built around a multitude of tenets: One, for example, is a focus on attracting foreign or national investment in agro-processing industries. Another especially emphasises the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to overcome pest and disease challenges in susceptible non-rice crops. A third is based on strengthening research capacity and extension of new techniques and a forth is the enhancement of irrigation systems throughout the country (MAFF 2005). Ostensibly as part of this strategy, too, the MAFF cooperates with the meteorological bureau to augment irrigation from the Chinit River in Kampong Thom Province, for example. As another important and relevant initiative, the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) produces seeds for tomato, beans and cassava, which it distributes to farmers as part of trials conducted on farmers fields. Cambodia s leading agricultural NGO, the Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), also distributes seeds to farmers and undertakes farmer field trials in various provinces of Cambodia. In addition, together with another agricultural NGO, the Peri-Urban Agriculture Centre (PUAC), CEDAC 32

33 assists farmers with finding markets for their products. CEDAC and PUAC pursue slightly different approaches. In the CEDAC model, CEDAC buyers visit farmers to directly buy products from them. PUAC, in return, creates regional centres that wash and prepare vegetables for transport and sale in the city, relying on farmers that live close by to bring their vegetables to the centres. Incentive factors that could promote diversification During the interviews with farmers and stakeholders, several factors and issues have been raised that could serve as incentives for a further diversification of Cambodia s agricultural sector. These factors are related either to the technical and technological level, or to economic issues, or to the issue of knowledge, know how and expertise. TECHNICAL ISSUES Extension of appropriate technology packages to farmers Especially stakeholders and knowledge gatekeepers from NGOs and the Provincial Departments of Agriculture underlined during the interviews the importance of direct contact between government extension officers and farmers. Currently, basically most extension is being undertaken by NGOs, especially CEDAC. Stronger intervention by government officers to provide technical assistance could serve as an incentive. In other words, policies, strategies and programs launched by the government do often not reach the farmers because of lacking direct contact. Increase in effective irrigation and drainage systems Interviewees emphasized that a central problem is posed by the lack of appropriate irrigation. In order to make it possible for farmers to use their fields during the dry season for growing non-rice crops, there is in particular a need to better and further maintain existing infrastructure, as much was being rundown. Among farmers, better support of irrigation maintenance by the government or NGOs was deemed a potential incentive for non-rice crop cultivation by 74% of the respondents. Increase in soil fertility According to some interviewed field extension officers, enhancing soil fertility would allow a broader range of crops to be cultivated. Extension officers suggest that a key incentive could be given by new methods and approaches for integrated soil fertility management, especially also involving organic fertilizers. Here, there is a need for research but also for knowledge transfer to farmers that should be addressed essentially by the government. Indeed, currently most is done by NGOs, such as CEDAC. 33

34 Improve the supply in seeds Asked for ways that would stimulate them to plant more non-rice crops, 99% of smallholder farmer respondents suggested a subsidised or improved seed and tool supply. In fact, 42% of interviewed farmers had actually received seeds from the CEDAC, CARDI, collaborative research projects or NGOs. Additional measures supported by the government could act as an additional incentive for farmers. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND OTHER SUPPORT Trainings 83% of the interviewed farmers felt that more demonstrations and training in methods and techniques for growing non-rice crops would help to increase their share in Cambodian agriculture. As has been stated above, almost two thirds of respondents mentioned that they only had limited know how about appropriate cultivation techniques or systems for non-rice crops which hindered them from diversifying their cultivation. In fact, just over half of respondents (54%) admitted that they had received training from MAFF or NGOs in non-rice crop cultivation. Here again, national programs and policies do not satisfactorily reach the expected end users. The formation of farmers associations Besides from presenting a way for strengthening collective bargaining power and rationalising input purchases (as will be explained more in detail below), the formation of farmers association can also promote the exchange and sharing of know how and experiences among farmers. ECONOMIC LEVEL Interventions to agricultural markets to stabilize prices for important crops Currently, many farmers fear that markets and prizes for non-rice crops may be more instable than for rice. Measures to reduce this risk could therefore give more confidence to farmers. According to some interviewees, markets and price stabilization could be achieved through an assortment of different approaches. For example, if downstream processing industries are created and supported, they can boost and stabilize demand for products that have potentially become more durable. Government representatives stated that attracting foreign and/or private sector investment to build a stronger agro-processing industry is a priority, but it is difficult to generalize what is actually happening in this respect, as licenses, concessions or tax breaks are treated highly individually and without much transparency, without a standard set of rules being applied to all potential investors. Another means of enhancing the attractiveness of the market for 34

35 non-rice crops put forward by respondents was through the government regulating prices, either of inputs or by instigating price floors for the actual produce. Improved markets, especially in terms of government efforts to stabilize prices were suggested by 92% of smallholder respondents as a way to promote diversification in cropping. 22% of smallholder respondents actually had received assistance in locating appropriate markets for non-rice products, mainly through NGOs like CEDAC or PUAC, which functioned as intermediaries between quality-conscious urban markets and farmers. The formation of farmers associations According to some interviewees, the formation of farmer associations could improve collective bargaining power to achieve discounted input and farm gate sale prices, as well as rationalising input purchases. Potentially, it could also circumvent the need for middlemen that swallow a substantial part of potential profit. Various NGOs are actually working on promoting the set up of farmer associations and cooperatives around the country. Credits and financial assistance 13% of the interviewed farmers advocated the higher availability of rural credits to buy seeds or necessary equipment as a key incentive. Substitute crops to rice In fertile upland areas, rice can be substituted with various cash crops, such as maize, soybean, cassava, rubber, sesame, etc. However, although some upland soils derived from basaltic parent material are very fertile, much of the elevated plain areas of Cambodia are relatively sandy and not particularly fertile. Cash crop productivity, already restricted by the length of the dry season, is therefore often not very high. In lowland areas, which are periodically inundated, options for the wet season are more limited, while dry season cultivation depends on irrigation. Vegetable, which generally have a high market demand, can be grown near the house instead of rice in a place that does not waterlog. The main crop that farmers grow instead of rice is taro because it is tolerant to periodical flooding. Trials, projects and initiatives of substitute crops to rice There are numerous organisations that are facilitating research and the trialling of various non-rice crops throughout Cambodia. Among these are the universities, research institutes and agricultural colleges that undertake trials of vegetable or other crops continuously in various areas of Cambodia, with the aim of being able to produce best-practice principles and guidelines for farmers. CEDAC, which has an extensive network of leader farmers and extension agents, around several provinces of Cambodia, similarly trials various non-rice crops and 35

36 appropriate fertility management options, as well as handing out seed or planting material to farmers that subscribe to their organic cultivation conditions. CARDI and the Directorate General of Agriculture under MAFF, too, trial various crops and hand-out appropriate seed, etc., as do the French-CIRAD spearheaded Project for Diversification of Agriculture in Cambodia (PDAC), which is trialling and extending various upland crops and cover crop cultivation techniques centred on zero-tillage in Kampong Cham, Pailin and Battambang Provinces. Similar initiatives are launched by the French NGO PUAC based just outside Phnom Penh, the environmentally-focussed NGOs GERES, CARE, Srei Khmer, the Apsara Authority with its trial fields close to Siem Reap, the East-West Seed Company, which also advertises many non-rice crops, and many more NGOs and GOs. The acceptance of farmers to partly substitute rice with other crops In general, 43% or 22% of farmer respondents said that they could imagine replacing rice with beans or vegetables, respectively. The necessary conditions to catalyse an increased share of these crops to be grown by farmers are similar to the suggestions that farmers put forward for general crop diversification as pointed out above, namely subsidised or improved seeds and tool availability for beans and vegetables, improved markets with more stable prices for such crops, more demonstrations and training in methods and techniques for growing non-rice crops, more irrigation and increased support with irrigation maintenance, and easier access to rural credits to buy seed or necessary equipment. Ideas, models, strategies, plans or approaches to promote increased agro-diversity The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has set up a series of strategy papers and blueprints to enhance agro-diversity in Cambodia, that are being implemented to varying degrees. These include: MAFF Master Plan. May 2006 MAFF strategy to develop the agricultural sector. October 2005 MAFF action plan to develop the agricultural sector in Cambodia MAFF strategy for agriculture and water. January MAFF strategy to improve market information. September The World Bank, too, has released a strategy paper on agriculture for development in Cambodia that gives ideas for the diversification of Cambodian agriculture. 36

37 Projects to support the diversification of Cambodian agriculture As alluded above, there are many NGOs, GOs, and International Organisations (IO) that are devoted to trialling various non-rice alternatives throughout Cambodia. In addition, these organisations also intend to a certain degree to extend advice on how to cultivate crops, as well as to distribute seeds, planting material or other inputs to farmers. Indeed, among our farmer sample population, 54% had received training from MAFF or NGOs in non-rice crop cultivation. Being asked about their satisfaction, 83% stated that more training would be better. 42% of farmers had actually received seeds from CEDAC, CARDI, collaborative research projects or NGOs. Some NGOs and IOs also devote effort to catalysing the formation of farmer cooperatives and associations. This is the case with the German Genossenschaftsund Raiffeisenverband or the national NGO Buddhism for Development. Others help farmers in finding and accessing non-rice markets, as is the case with project and initiatives by CEDAC, PUAC, or the Greenbelt Project in Siem Reap Province, spearheaded by the German Development Cooperation, for example. Indeed, 22% of smallholder respondents actually had received assistance in locating appropriate markets for non-rice products Relevance of Results and Expected Impact Relevance in consideration of the set goals As has been outlined above, four goals have been defined at the beginning of the project. A first purpose has consisted in supporting the RUA team of researchers in studying and analyzing the social, economic, political and agronomic circumstances of rice cultivation and agro-diversification in Cambodia. Currently, the University s activities mainly focus on providing lectures to students and on conducting research and controlled field trials at an experimental station. Although contacts with villages and farmers are established, field studies are rather limited, notably due to financial constraints. These would however allow on the one hand to increasingly integrate the knowledge and local information of farmers with the scientific research and thereby make results better reflect the situation on the ground. In return, research results could be fed back to farmers who can then adopt them. At the same time, visiting and collaborating with farmers gives the students the opportunity to experience the field practices of the farmers and better understand the situation in rural areas. In this perspective, during the project Cambiodiversity, particular emphasis was given to research activities in the villages, directly involving the rural population. Hereby, it was moreover of special importance to encourage students to participate and give them the possibility to accompany the researchers team around Dean Sophal Chuong to the villages and assist the conduction of interviews with farmers. 37

38 In addition, the project enabled RUA to acquire important material for their continuous research on the topic, notably seeds and grains, chemical fertilizer, covering material and drip irrigation material to be used in the trial fields. Trial field research is primarily intended to go deeper into the question what crops may be most appropriate to substitute rice and to specifically test the growing of plants mentioned and suggested during the interviews. As a second purpose, the project was intended to contribute to the reduction of poverty in Cambodia. This purpose was mainly linked to two considerations: first, in Cambodia, farmers not only present the biggest socio-professional group but also the one with the highest poverty rate. 90% of Cambodia s poor population live in rural areas. They largely depend on rice cultivation and production. Second, monoculture is likely to lead to poverty as it makes harvest and hence the farmers income considerably vulnerable, notably to climatic risks and variations, pests and diseases, bad harvest and price fluctuations on the market. The relevance of Cambiodiversity for poverty reduction in Cambodia has therefore been to assess and evaluate the possibility and conditions of further agro-diversity as a way to diversify the farmers income basis (rice and non-rice crops), as well as to address other intertwined factors that are either generating or generated by poverty, such as food insecurity, and thereby contribute to the alleviation of poverty. The relevance can moreover be seen in the project s efforts to give the poor in rural areas the possibility to express their concerns and interests and to communicate this information to policy and decision-makers through the recommendations and on the Information Event in September In this perspective, it was here of particular importance for the Cambiodiversity team to integrate local communities and farmers into the research activities, to collect their concerns and positions, and to consider and integrate them in the elaboration of recommendations and other outputs. In particular, it was a special concern to identify major barriers and obstacles that currently hinder farmers from diversifying their crops, as well as potential incentives. This made it possible to produce results reflecting the interests and needs of rural population and pinpoint areas where, according to the concerned people, policies, measures and actions would be most needed. Closely linked to the issue of poverty reduction, Cambiodiversity has also intended to make a significant contribution to the empowerment of women. In Cambodia, 53% of the total work force living in rural areas are women, and 65% of women are farmers. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), rural women are responsible for 80% of the food production. However, despite this central position, women have only limited access to extension services, technologies and trainings, as well as to information on markets, funding, credit and other relevant issues. This is on the one hand due to traditional behaviour norms and arrangements that assign women a lower status than men (Gorman, 1999). On the other hand, and partly as a consequence, the access of women to education is considerably limited compared to men. Although the percentage of enrolment for girls in primary school is almost similar to the one of boys, the gap is increasing in the higher levels of education (ADB, 2004). Regarding the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio in 2004, only 88 girls have been enrolled for every 100 boys 38

39 (UNDP, HDR 2009). At upper secondary and tertiary education, the ratio is even by less than 50 girls for every 100 boys. (ADB, 2004). An additional factor is provided by the circumstance that policies, notably in the field of agriculture, are still mainly gender blind and do not consider the specific needs and concerns of women. Also trainings and extension services are most often principally addressing men. Extension workers are almost exclusively male which is likely to complicate the communication with women farmers. The main contribution of Cambiodiversity in this regards has therefore been achieved, on the one hand, by having placed particular emphasis to the situation of women in rural areas in view of pinpointing where actions and policies would be needed. On the other hand, the project has aimed to give female farmers the opportunity to express major concerns and problems they currently encounter. Both approaches seem to be of particular importance in view of contributing to making policies more gender-specific and responsive to particular women concerns. In this perspective, from the beginning on, it has been of particular importance to encourage women to take part in the interview activities. In total, 48,33% of the interviewed farmers were female. Moreover, during the elaboration of recommendations, particular attention was laid on considering the positions and concerns raised by women. A specific set of recommendations has hence been presented for them. A final contribution was to be made towards raising awareness on the importance of sustainable development and the urgency of protecting and conserving biodiversity worldwide, as well as to contribute to global agro-biodiversity. First of all, through its direct contact to and involvement of Cambodian farmers, as well as researchers, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders, Cambiodiversity was intended to provide and disseminate knowledge and information on the importance of agro-biodiversity. It especially aimed to raise the awareness of those groups whose activities and decisions can have a specific impact on the country s biodiversity, notably through the production of crops and the development of public policies. Major project activities were the conduction of interviews and the organisation of the Information Event that both allowed the exchange and dissemination of research results and other information. The interviews made it moreover possible to reveal and identify what major problems and obstacles are currently hindering farmers from further diversifying their production. This allowed to have a clearer understanding what needs hence to be done in order to enhance conditions and circumstances that are likely to facilitate and encourage agro-biodiversity in Cambodia. In addition, the project also aimed to promote and strengthen the exchange, links and cooperation between the research team at RUA and other organisations, scientists and experts working in the field of agro-biodiversity. The key activity here has been the attendance of the International Conference in Kunming in September 2008 that gathered biodiversity experts from various European and South-East Asian countries. The conference facilitated the exchange of knowledge and experiences, as well as a fostering and strengthening of contacts for RUA that had already partly been established through the Agrofolio project. Cambiodiversity also affirmed and strengthened the cooperation on biodiversity between the two Austrian and the Cambodian partner. It thereby consolidated the well working collaboration and paves the way for future joint projects and initiatives towards contributing to fostering sustainable development. 39

40 Impact in view of sustainable development and poverty reduction (UN Millennium Development Goals) In view of its orientation and expected impact for sustainable development, the project Cambiodiversity, its activities and results can be considered as being connected to some of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. In particular, the relevance is given for Goal 1: ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY & HUNGER Goal 3: PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN Goal 7: ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Goal 8: DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT Goal 1: ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY & HUNGER The relevance of Cambiodiversity for achieving the first UN Millennium Development Goal - to halve by 2015 the proportion of poor with an income lower than US$ 1 and suffering from hunger - lies in particular in the fact that Cambodia is among the world s poorest countries. With a GNI per capita of US$ 540, the country ranges below the average of US$ 2180 for the East Asia/ Pacific region and among the so called Low Income Countries. 7 As has been outlined above, Cambodia s poor population is mainly centred in rural areas and mostly depends on subsistence agriculture. The project has therefore included the intention to contribute to the reduction of poverty in Cambodia among its set goals. By assessing the farmers needs and concerns, the context and circumstances for further diversification of the agricultural rice-based production, as well as what major obstacles will have to be overcome, the project team intended to do a contribution towards making agro-diversification for farmers a more viable and conceivable approach in view of broadening their basis for daily nutrition and income. As a matter of fact, lacking agro-diversity and poverty are somehow intertwined. As the assessment has shown, poverty often presents a significant barrier towards agrodiversification. In particular, on the side of the farmers, the lack of own resources as well as the instability of markets and the difficult access to any form of insurance makes the cultivation of crops other than usually become a significant risk; especially as most farmers income is entirely generated by agricultural activities. At the same time, monoculture is also likely to enhance poverty as it makes farmers income considerably one-sided and vulnerable. Also on the national side, the bad condition and lack of appropriate irrigation systems and the inexistence of an agro-processing industry constitute considerable obstacles for promoting the increase of non-rice crops. As the project recommends, specific public policies supporting the farmers, the development and transfer of technologies and knowledge, micro loans or other suitable forms of credit, as well as targeted subsidies could provide important incentives in view of overcoming poverty induced barriers to biodiversity and helping to reduce poverty in the rural areas. 7 According to the definition of the World Bank, Low Income Countries have a GNI/capita of US$ 975 or less. For figures, see: World Bank. Information and Communications for Development 2009: Extending Reach and Increasing Impact. 2009, p

41 Goal 3: PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN Cambiodiversity gave particular emphasis to the role of women, notably by having paid special attention to encouraging their participation in the interviews, assessing their interests and concerns and responding to them in the recommendations. Given their central position in Cambodia s local agriculture as well as their pivotal role for food security and household nutrition, the promotion of sustainable development and biodiversity can not be achieved without the involvement of women, the consideration and respect of their specific situation and interests, and enhancement of their position and role in decision-making processes. Due to still prevailing traditional gender roles and differences in access to education, knowledge and information, Cambodian women are still mainly excluded from the policy and governance processes and have very limited impact on decision-making. As part of the project, specific recommendations have been elaborated that respond to the concerns raised by interviewed women. These primarily focus on the need for gender-specific policies, farmer trainings and other forms of knowledge transfer that lead to an increased empowerment of women and enhancement of their living conditions. Goal 7: ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Through its central focus on agro-biodiversity, Cambiodiversity had relevance for achieving the UN goal of reducing biodiversity loss by The major activities in this regard have been the strengthening of links and contacts with other researchers in the region in view of exchanging knowledge and experience and building the ground for future cooperation and synergies. At the same time, the contact to policy makers and government representatives - through their involvement in the assessment activities and invitation to join the final Information Event by the end of the implementation - was intended to raise these stakeholders awareness on the vital importance of biodiversity and the need to integrate the principles of sustainable development in public policies and national programmes and initiatives. Goal 8: DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT Finally, MDG8 can be considered as a goal underlying the entire project. Indeed, the implementation of Cambiodiversity would never have been possible without the strong partnership and collaboration between the two Austrian and the Cambodian research institutions within the KEF funding program. The shared commitment of all three partners towards promoting and conserving biodiversity in Cambodia laid the ground for the joint research activities and contribution towards sustainable development. The team hereby paid particular attention to respecting the specific needs and capabilities, notably of the Cambodian partner and helping him to build and foster his capacities. At the same time, the project was also meant to contribute to paving the way towards continued joint research cooperation, reaching beyond the consortium. Notably through specific networking activities in the context of the International Conference and the establishment of contacts to other relevant research centres and 41

42 project consortia 8, the aim was to open new opportunities for regional and international networking and cooperation, in the short or in the long run. In this perspective, the team acknowledged the fact that sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity are global challenges that require a joint, notably North-South approach The sustainability of research efforts beyond the project s lifetime The sustainability of Cambiodiversity and its outcomes also after the end of the project is important to ensure that the results, findings and recommendations have a significant impact on the awareness and behaviour of farmers and stakeholders and hence contribute to promoting agricultural diversification and strengthening biodiversity. The following sets of activities conducted or initiated during the project s lifetime are expected to contribute towards deepening and extending the relevance of Cambiodiversity s outcomes. Ongoing field tests As foreseen within the project plan and budget, project partner RUA has bought seeds to be used in the university s test fields for research activities. The main focus of these tests is set on the question what non-rice crops would be most appropriate to supplement rice in Cambodia. The activities will hereby be based on the assessed information and consider on the one hand the crops identified as possible rice substitutes, and on the other hand, the concerns and problems raised by the farmers. Tests will mainly focus on growing beans (notably soy, long and mung beans), maize, cabbage (green mustard, celery cabbage) and several vegetables, such as tomato, peppers and egg plants. Awareness raising measures In a general way, the constant involvement of concerned stakeholders - notably farmers and policy-makers - in project activities was intended to also raise the awareness of these actors on the need, importance and urgency of protecting and strengthening biodiversity in Cambodia. The interviews with farmers not only allowed to collect information about interests, concerns and expectations. They also offered the possibility for the researchers from RUA to enhance the farmers understanding about the necessity to diversify their agricultural production for ecological and health, but also economic and financial reasons, and to directly respond to questions and concerns. At the same time, the exchange with policy-makers during the interviews, as well as during the Information Event is also intended to be of importance for the dissemination of major findings and information about the importance of agrobiodiversity which may have an impact on public opinion, attitudes and policymaking. 42

43 Regional and international networking Throughout the project, particular attention has been paid to establishing and strengthening the links between the Cambiodiversity team - in particular the RUA team - and other researchers and research institutions in the region and other parts of the world. The exchange of information, experiences and research results presents a crucial approach, not only for comparing and contrasting outcomes but also for finding synergies and paving the way towards future collaboration Networking and Ideas for Fellow-up Projects During the project implementation, contacts have been established to several other project and/ or research institutes working on similar issues and topics. These contacts have on the one side been established through the participation at the International Conference in China in September 2008 and the exchange with the consortium of the EC FP6 project DIVERSEEDS. On the other side, they are the result from intensive networking of the Austrian project partners. The following contacts have been generated in view of paving the way towards possible follow-up projects. LILAC The LILAC project, funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), focuses on the increasing cultivation of cash crops in the Yunnan and Mekong regions (China) and the social, economic and ecological consequences implied. The project aims at developing a land use plan and land use scenaorios, as well as an integrated model able to predict the economic, social or ecological effects of different land uses. Due to the similar emphasis of both projects on biodiversity in Asian countries and the conditions and consequences of diversification, contacts have been established with the LILAC project coordinator from the University of Hohenheim, Germany and insights, experiences and preliminary results have been exchanged between the two teams. The possibility to launch, in the coming years, a joint research project with a regional comparative approach has moreover been addressed. ISRAELI GENE BANK FOR AGRICULTURAL CROPS VOLCANI CENTER, ISRAEL The Israeli Gene Bank for Agricultural Crops was established in 1979 at the Agricultural Research Organization Volcani Center in Bet-Dagan. The aim of the Gene Bank is to preserve in-situ or ex-situ, the genetic variability of wild species and primitive varieties that have domesticated relatives (agricultural crops) and economicagricultural and social-cultural potential for the existence of mankind in future generations. The Center aims to collect, keep, maintain, and characterize the seed collections and plants of wild relatives in Israel. Contacts to the Director and staff members of the Gene Bank, in charge of research activities, have been established through the Cambiodiversity team s close 43

44 cooperation with the DIVERSEEDS consortium. The relevance of this contact lies first and foremost in the issue of irrigation and the team s interest in gathering and comparing information about solutions and techniques applied in other countries. Thank to the experts from VOLCANI, further contacts have been established to an irrigation specialist. Although this contact has not yet been deeply exploited during the project (due to the fact that the irrigation issue is only one barrier for lacking agrobiodiversity in Cambodia among others), it may present an interesting possible starting point for a follow-up project. KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY (KKU), THAILAND Contacts have been deepened to biodiversity experts from Khon Kaen University, especially during the International Conference in China in September Together with RUA, the Department of Agronomy of the University s Faculty of Agriculture had also been involved in the EC FP6 project AGROFOLIO and experts from both universities therefore already knew each other which eased networking activities. Within a specific working group during the Conference, the Cambiodiversity team had the opportunity to discuss with the team from KKU models and solutions for intercropping and irrigation. Due to the similar climate conditions, these comparisons, as well as the issue of applicability in Cambodia were particularly interesting for both sides and may provide the basis for further cooperation in the context of a joint research project. 44

45 4. Recommendations Based on the interviews, assessment results and inputs collected at the Information Event in September 2009 in Phnom Penh, the following recommendations how agricultural diversification could be promoted have jointly been elaborated. The focus has hereby been set on the following set of issues: - The issue of irrigation as important barrier and obstacle towards the cultivation of non-rice crops. - Factors, such as prize stability, pests and diseases, or incomplete knowledge, that make the growing of non-rice crops carry with it a certain risk for Cambodian farmers. - The limited contact and communication between farmers and the government level. - The neglected role of women farmers. IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND GUARANTEE THE MAINTENANCE OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS Irrigation is a key issue for promoting and achieving further diversification of Cambodia s agriculture. In view of the problem of lack in appropriate irrigation that could especially ease and foster the growing of non-rice crops during the dry season, adequate measures would be needed from the government as well as from concerned farmers: - Efforts and policies from the government should focus on strengthening, improving and further developing the existing irrigation system and ensuring its maintenance. - It is moreover important that farmers, farmers associations and local NGOs get involved in and support the maintenance of the irrigation infrastructure. - Regular exchange between the government, extension workers and farmers seems of crucial importance to ensure that know how and experiences are exchanged, farmers concerns, needs and interests are considered and problems occurring on the ground directly and promptly approached. In this perspective, the Cambiodiversity team proposes the following recommendations: For farmers to contribute to the management and maintenance of irrigation systems, workshops, trainings and demonstration need to be enhanced and guaranteed. This can not only be ensured by NGOs but need to be supported by the government. Universities should play hereby a key role, especially by offering demonstration sites and trainings. The creation of farmers associations could play an essential role to: o coordinate and facilitate the communication and exchange between the villages and the policy making level; o coordinate the organization of trainings and demonstration, and the knowledge transfer on the maintenance and use of irrigation 45

46 systems; o communicate problems on the ground. Also, cooperation and exchange with other (neighboring) countries could allow to learn from experiences and best practices and to encourage the bilateral, regional and international transfer of knowledge and technologies. Cooperation should especially be promoted among researchers and students through joint research and networking projects, conferences and work shops as well as student exchange programs. The exchange with experts, notably from Thailand, Vietnam and Israel during the International Conference in China in September 2008 for instance gave the participants from RUA the possibility to discuss the comparability and similarities of local situations and problems, and the applicability of different solutions to increase irrigation. REDUCE THE RISK RELATED TO GROWING NON-RICE CROPS For many Cambodian farmers, growing non-rice crops is linked to different risks, ranging from prize and market instability, to pests and diseases, and uncertainty on growing techniques. - It is therefore important to build more confidence in order to encourage crop diversification. - Intercropping presents by itself certain protection against pests or diseases that only affect specific crops and should therefore be encouraged by appropriated measures and financial and technical support. - There is a need for more guarantee, assurance and better risk management - There is a need for more stable markets as well as stable sales opportunities The following recommendations should be taken into consideration: Trainings and demonstration activities present important measures for building trust and confidence as they create more visibility, transparency and security in how to grow crops other than rice, prevent diseases and deal with pest infestation. Increased as well as region and target group (notably gender) specific trainings should be offered by the government, notably through extension workers. As currently NGOs already play a central role in providing technical assistance, cooperation should be promoted between these groups and the government levels as well as by NGOs, with government support. In addition, farmers associations could play a crucial role, on the one hand, in coordinating and co-organizing trainings, and on the other hand in encouraging also the exchange of information among the farmers themselves. It would moreover be important to train people on the local level that could then act as trainers within the communities. There is a need of government assistance and subsidies in response to significant price increases or falls causing declines in farmers incomes and rising poverty. Farmers association and cooperatives with the support from the government could present a framework that grants farmers the opportunity to get subsidies to buy seed or planting material for non-rice crops 46

47 By forming associations and cooperatives, farmers can also better coordinate and influence market prices, rationalize input purchases and increase their bargaining power which may lead to minimize risk and potential losses. Cooperatives could allow farmers to share the cost for adequate equipment and provide crop storage facilities. Moreover, they could coordinate trainings, as well as the exchange of know how and experiences. Also, they may present a possibility for communities to bundle their competences and capabilities and thereby build more capacities. In a similar way, also long term arrangements with purchasers can reduce the risk of growing non-rice crops. Currently, some farmers, mainly around the capital of Phnom Penh and in the tourist areas in Siem Riep province (Angkor Wat), already have agreements with hotels or restaurants for which they grow non-rice crops. Also national and international NGOs, such as CEDAC increasingly act as intermediates between the farmers and potential purchasers, mainly shops, hotels and restaurants. Similar models could be developed also in other provinces. Besides technical assistance, financial support is essential for encouraging and facilitating the cultivation of other crops than rice, as well as for covering the related risks. Microcredits or other forms of credits with low interest rates could play here an important role in helping farmers to finance the purchase of seeds and planting material for non-rice crops. Also national and international NGOs could act as intermediates to facilitate the contact to investors. In a similar way, cooperatives at village level could encourage farmers to jointly apply for credits and approach investors. Increased emphasis should also be given to attracting local and foreign investment to help generate the establishment of more downstream agroprocessing industries IMPROVE THE CONTACTS BETWEEN THE FARMERS AND THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL TO BETTER TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE FARMERS NEEDS AND CONCERNS AND PROVIDE MORE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The interviews conducted with Cambodian farmers have shown that contacts with governmental representatives, such as extension workers, are considerably limited. The lacking exchange with extension workers not only impedes the transfer of knowledge and technologies but also limits the possibilities offered to farmers to express their needs, concerns and interests. As a consequence, regarding the agrodiversification issue, farmers can not sufficiently indicate where more political action would be needed, and where subsidies or other forms of support could help them in growing non-rice crops, or bring in their experience and know how in the formulation of related policies. Although the government has launched several programs and policies in view of promoting biodiversity, these do most often not reach the farmers and respond to their major needs and concerns. 47

48 Closely linked, a major barrier towards further diversification of Cambodia s agricultural sector is the lack in appropriate techniques on the farmers level, as well in downstream processing industries on the national level. Currently, due to this lack, most agricultural products are exported in a raw or semi-raw state to neighboring Vietnam or Thailand. Hereby, not only value adding opportunities are lost, but markets appear less lucrative and more volatile and instable as they depend on foreign developments. Therefore, adequate measures should focus on - enhancing the exchange between the population, notably farmers, and the government, notably through extension workers, in view of better adapting policies and other political actions to specific needs; - providing farmers with materials and inputs to grow non-rice crops as part of training and extension programmes; and - developing downstream processing industries and techniques. The following is therefore recommended by the project team: Cooperatives and other forms of farmers associations could act as a mouthpiece for farmers and thereby ease the communication between the community and government level. Cooperatives and other forms of farmers associations could ease and coordinate the use, management and maintenance of farming material on the local level. Extension workers should be encouraged to act as intermediates between the government and the farmers in order to transfer knowledge (in both directions), offer trainings and give the farmers an enhanced possibility to bring forward their needs and concerns. SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS Although 53% of the total labor force in Cambodia working in the agricultural sector are women, this circumstance is not sufficiently taken into consideration by government policies and actions. Because of their lower level of education and their limited contact to - mainly male - extension workers, compared to male farmers, women have generally less knowledge on cultivation and farming techniques, as well as market conditions, subsidies and credits. Trainings, as well as extension services are most often oriented to men and their concerns and fail to sufficiently take into account the gender specificities and particular situation and conditions of women. It is therefore needed: - to promote the access of women to education and trainings; - to offer gender specific trainings and extension services; - to offer more and more appropriate opportunities to female farmers to express their concerns and interests. The team makes the following recommendations in view of overcoming these 48

49 gender-related problems: Provide information to female farmers in a gender specific way, notably by offering specific training courses on crop cultivation, techniques, market conditions, credits, etc. only for women. Offer more women adapted approaches for technology and knowledge transfer, such as through female extension workers as these may better understand and respond to specific needs of women. Provide training courses for women on the importance of biodiversity for balanced nutrition as women play a central role for the feeding of the family and are therefore key for tackling malnutrition. Increasingly include women in decision-making processes on the rural level. 49

50 5. Abstract English version The project Cambiodiversity, jointly prepared by the Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management, the BOKU and the Royal University of Agriculture (Cambodia), focussed on the issue of biodiversity in Cambodia. It aimed, on the one hand, at analysing the current pre-eminent position of rice in Cambodian agricultural system and at assessing, on the other hand, the conditions and feasibility of further diversification. In Cambodia, rice is presenting the predominantly grown crop, covering 81% of the total agricultural area. For farmers, rice thereby presents the main income source, as well as the major staple food. This predominance is problematic. It indeed creates a high economic vulnerability, problems of non-balanced and malnutrition and the risk of food insecurity for the population. It moreover presents a global threat of constant genetic resources disappearance while generating external dependencies for nonrice crops at the national level. In this perspective, the main purpose of the project Cambiodiversity has been to analyse the reasons and circumstances of the current rice predominance in Cambodia, and to elaborate recommendations for a sustainable diversification of the Cambodian agriculture. As a major activity, the project has included a comprehensive assessment work. Notably the conduction of some 180 interviews with farmers and relevant stakeholders in Phnom Penh and several Cambodian provinces have allowed to explain the predominant position of rice and to highlight the major barriers as well as potential incentives for further agro-diversification. These interviews have been completed by the review of relevant publications, with the specific aim to gather more information on Cambodian s biodiversity and especially the rice cultivation. The analysis of the assessment s outcomes has been the main basis for the joint elaboration of recommendations for a further potential diversification of the Cambodian agriculture. These recommendations have focussed on the need to improve the irrigation systems and their maintenance, as well as the approach of major factors that currently hinder the cultivation of non-rice crops such as prize and market instability, incomplete knowledge on techniques and pest prevention or insufficient risk management. Further recommendations have focused on the need for increased contact between the farmers and the policy making level, as well as for a better consideration of gender specificities. A final information event, held in Phnom Penh, has allowed to present and discuss these findings with representatives from the farming, policy making and non-governmental level. German version Das von der Organisation für Internationalen Dialog und Konfliktmanagement, der BOKU und der Royal University of Agriculture (Kambodscha) gemeinsam durchgeführte Projekt Cambiodiversity behandelt das Thema der Biodiversität in Kambodscha. Es zielt, zum einen, darauf ab, die zentrale Rolle von Reis innerhalb des kambodschanischen Agrarsystems zu untersuchen und zum anderen die Umstände und Bedingungen für eine stärkere Diversifizierung zu erheben.

51 Reis wird in Kambodscha auf über 81% der nationalen Landwirtschaftsflächen gepflanzt und stellt somit das Hauptanbauprodukt dar. Für Kambodschas Bauern ist Reis sowohl die Haupteinnahmequelle als auch das Grundnahrungsmittel. Die starke Fokussierung der Landwirtschaft auf Reis ist jedoch problematisch. Zum einen birgt sie das Risiko einer hohen ökonomischen Abhängigkeit und Vulnerabilität, und kann zu Gesundheitsproblemen, verbunden mit einer ausgewogenen oder sogar mangelhaften Ernährung und einer ungesicherte und unnachhaltige Lebensmittelversorgung führen. Zum anderen gefährdet die Vernachlässigung anderer Nutzpflanzen die Erhaltung von Biodiversität auf nationaler, wie globaler Ebene, und bringt das Land in wirtschaftliche Abhängigkeit vom Ausland. In dieser Hinsicht hat des Projekt Cambiodiversity darauf gezielt, die Ursachen und Umstände der aktuellen Reisdominanz in Kambodscha zu analysieren und Empfehlungen für eine nachhaltige Agrardiversifizierung zu erarbeiten. Hierfür wurde eine umfassende Erhebung durchgeführt, die sich sowohl auf Interviews als auch auf Literaturrecherchen gestützt hat. Im Rahmen von 180 Interviews mit Bauern und anderen relevanten Akteuren, Politikern und Forschern in Phnom Penh und einigen Provinzen des Landes wurden Erklärungsmuster für die zentrale Rolle von Reis in der kambodschanischen Landwirtschaft erhoben und Hindernisse, sowie mögliche Anreize für eine stärkere Diversifizierung des Agrarsektors festgehalten. Ergänzend wurden relevante Publikationen herangezogen, um so einen umfassenden Überblick über die kambodschanische Biodiversität und insbesondere den Reisanbau zu erlangen. Auf Grundlage dieser Umfragen und der Analyse der Ergebnisse wurden gemeinsam Empfehlungen für eine mögliche Diversifizierung der kambodschanischen Landwirtschaft erarbeitet. Diese Empfehlungen beziehen sich vor allem auf die Probleme mangelhafter Bewässerungssysteme und ihrer Instandhaltung, des fehlenden Wissens über Technologien und Schädlingsbekämpfung, und einer unzureichenden Abdeckung von Risiken, die insbesondere Bauern oft davon abhalten, andere Pflanzen als Reis anzubauen. Ebenso wurde in den Empfehlungen die Notwendigkeit von mehr Kontaktmöglichkeiten zwischen Landwirten und Politikebene, sowie von einer stärkeren Berücksichtigung von Genderaspekten in Trainingsprogrammen und Politiken betont. Die Hauptergebnisse des Projekts, sowie die daraus abgeleiteten Empfehlungen wurden im Rahmen einer eintägigen Informationsveranstaltung politischen Akteuren, Landwirten und anderen interessierten Personen präsentiert und mit ihnen diskutiert. 51

52 6. References Adams (1992). Agricultural extension in developing countries, Intermediate Tropical Agricultural ADP Battambong. (2008). Final Report on Agriculture- Small enterprise and planed goal in Battambong province. ADP Kampong Cham. (2008). Final Report on Agriculture- Small enterprise and planed goal in Kampong Cham province. ADP Kratie (2008). Final Report on Agriculture- Small enterprise and planed goal in Kratie province. ADP Rattanakiri. (2008). Final Report on Agriculture- Small enterprise and planed goal in Rattanakiri province. ADRA (October). Seminary about Vegetable Production and Making Traffic Vegetable. Albrecht, H. (1990). Rural development series, agricultural extension. AMII(1997). Report of Agricultural Marketing in Cambodia. Balassa, B. (1998). ICEG, Essays in development strategy. Cambodia-Irri Rice Production (1991). Rice ecosystem (Map-Cambodia, Map- Kampong Cham). Carls, J.; Gate (1992). Abstracts on sustainable agriculture. Carney, D. (1998). Overseas Development Institute, Changing public and private roles in agriculture service provision. CEDAC (1998). Cambodian centre for study and development in Agriculture. Chanhang, S. et al. (2009). Flash Report on the Cambodia Economy. Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI) Chatterjee, A. S. (1997). Profiles of selection vegetable for home gardens in Cambodia. TRC Chandler, D. P. (1993). Annual report for 2008 A history of Cambodia. 2 nd Edition. Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado. Chhay Kongkea (2006). Agricultural Development Strategy in Cambodia. PhD Thesis.Graduate School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju City, Republic of Korea. Church World service-cws, Cambodia (1994). Round Table Discussion on Vegetable Production in Cambodia (June, 24-27, 1994). FAO (2002). Rice information. FAO (2004). International Year of Rice. Accessed on Available online at: FAOSTAT. Fredenburg, P., Hill, B. (2006). Sharing rice for peace and prosperity in greater Mekong sub-region. Gret (2006). Towards Co- Management of Hydro-Agricultural Infrastructures. Heimes, K. (1994). Cambodian Rice production Historical statistic from Im Sochhivy (2001). The study on potential Rice Marketing in Cambodia Peng, S.; Hardy, B. (eds.) (2001) Rice Research for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation, IRRI IRRI (2001). Rice Research and production in 21 st century. Japan Internation Cooperation Agency Jica.Ministry of Commerce. (2001) The study on Improvement of Marketing system and post-harvest Quality control of Rice in Cambodia. JICA (2001). Study on improvement of marketing system and post harvest quality 52

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54 Royal Government of Cambodia San, V. (2007). Policy and strategy of agricultural development. Setara, K.; Sophal, Ch.; Achrya, S. (2002). Land, Rural living Standard and Food Security in Cambodia. Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI). Setter, T. (1999). Rice improvement program. Shams, N. (et al.). (1997). A review of vegetable production in Cambodia. Shams, N.; Hong, T. Cambodia s Rice field ecosystem biodiversity resources and benefits, GtZ, GmbH Siem Reap Provincial Department of Agriculture. Adra Cambodia (2005). Workshop report on Vegetable Production and Market Chain in Siem Reap province. Sok Harch, S. (2002). Annual Report on Cambodia Economic 2002, Sophal, Ch. (2008). Impact High Food in Cambodia. Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI). Sophal, Ch. et al. (2009). Annual Development Review Cambodia. Development Research Institute (CDRI). Talukder, A.; Keller, H. (2003). International Cambodia, Home gardening in Cambodia, complete manual for vegetable and fruit production. Trikner, V. (1996). Rice Marketing policy in Cambodia. Trikner, V. (1996). Food security in Cambodia- a preliminary assessment. UNRISED. Vannak Ch. (2006) The Study on Agricultural Extension Education Methodology in District Kampong Chhnang Province, Thesis. World Bank (2008). World development report Agriculture for Development. World Food Programme (WFP) (2009), Food Security Atlas for Cambodia. Yang, S. (1997). Sustainable agriculture country profile Cambodia, CEDAC, GRET. 54

55 7. ANNEX: Documents in the Annex: Interview Guidelines and Questionnaires Project Outline (disseminated during Information Event, Phnom Penh) List of participants, International Conference, Kunming, China Project poster (produced by KEF) Roundtable Invitation (produced by KEF) 55

56 PROJECT CAMBIODIVERSITY GUIDELINE FOR THE INTERVIEWS (version ) Scheduled Start: August or September GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCTION OF INTERVIEWS 2 QUESTIONNAIRE WITH SUGGESTED QUESTIONS 1 GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCTION OF INTERVIEWS The Project in General: The project Cambiodiversity is intended to deal with the issue of biodiversity in Cambodia. It aims on the one hand at analysing the current predominance of rice in the Cambodian agriculture sector and identifying the major reasons for this concentration. On the other hand, it aims at assessing the possibility and conditions for further diversification and paving an appropriate and sustainable way towards a more diversified agriculture. The expected final outcomes of the Cambiodiversity project are therefore: 1. A comprehensive set of information and data reflecting the major reasons for the rice predominance in Cambodia s agriculture the main barriers to further agro-diversification the main positive factors that may promote and foster agro-diversification what crops would be most appropriate to complement rice as primary crop These information should increasingly reflect the interests, attitudes and expectations from Cambodian farmers. 2. A set of recommendations for major stakeholders (policy-makers, decision takers, scientists, NGOs, extension workers), as well as for farmers to show them how they could contribute to further diversification of Cambodian agricultural system 3. Moreover: Encourage and foster enhanced networking and exchange with other countries from the region (as well as from Europe) to benefit from their experience,

57 CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May 2008 knowledge and capacities in the field of agro-diversification and conservation of biodiversity. To achieve these outcomes, the interviews will serve to reflect the opinion, interests and knowledge of farmers, as well as provide additional information of scientists/ researchers/ international organisations and of national policy makers. This is on the one hand to complement and found the data and facts collected during the review and assessment activities, and on the other hand to prepare the subsequent elaboration of recommendations. The purpose of the interviews is to get information on the reasons and conditions for rice cultivation in Cambodia; to collect information on perceptions, experience and attitudes of farmers concerning the cultivation of rice; to assemble the knowledge and information of scientific and political stakeholders; to collect information on the disposition, conditions and probability of further diversification of Cambodia s agriculture, as well as the way it could be achieved Questions to be addressed by the interviews and answered by the collected information? WHAT ARE THE MAJOR REASONS THAT EXPLAIN THE PREDOMINANCE OF RICE IN CAMBODIA S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR?? Reasons of farmers? Reasons from agronomical point of view? Political/ Economic reasons? WHAT ARE THE MAIN BARRIERS TO FURTHER DIVERSIFICATION?? WHAT POSITIVE FACTORS MAY OR EVEN DO ALREADY SUPPORT AND PROMOTE ENHANCED AGROBIODIVERSITY IN CAMBODIA?? WHAT CROPS WOULD BE BEST ADAPTED TO COMPLEMENT RICE AS MAIN STAPLE CROP AND CONTRIBUTE TO PROMOTE AGROBIOVERSITY?? WHAT AREAS/ REGIONS IN CAMBODIA WOULD BE BEST ADAPTED? Who should be interviewed? FARMERS: Farmers with small, medium and large farms who cultivate rice and/or other crops for family and/ or commercial purposes; SCIENTISTS: Researchers from Universities who work on issues related to the cultivation of rice (agronomy, economics and trade, etc ) 2

58 CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May 2008 OTHER RESEARCHERS: Researchers from national or international researchers institutes or organisations (National or international projects, ) STAFF FROM INTERNATIONAL OR FOREIGN ORGANISATIONS (ex. UN and UN Organisations, GTZ, DED, World Bank, NGOs, ) NATIONAL POLICY MAKERS: notably policy makers, civil servants, etc familiar with policies, regulations, conventions, that affect the cultivation of rice and Cambodia s agriculture in general (ex. In ministries, national agencies, local authorities, etc ) Instructions for the conduction of interviews: FARMERS: Please try to interview farmers with farms of different sizes (small, medium, large size) Please try to interview farmers who primarily cultivate rice and some that do cultivate other, non-rice crops Please try to interview also women SCIENTISTS AND POLICY MAKERS: You can also add more open questions to the questionnaires: give them the possibility to explain and comment the situation, to share their view, if they accept. Take notes of all answers as comprehensively and exact as possible OR use a tape recorder if available NB: The proposed questions are indicative: Please feel free to adapt them if requested by the situation (ex. Interviewed persons wants to address an issue not initially considered. Ex: If a person does not want to talk on a specific point, then address other relevant aspects!) If you consider it necessary and interesting to add some more questions or to modify a question, feel free to do so. 2 QUESTIONNAIRE WITH SUGGESTED QUESTIONS The table below provides for every group of interviewed persons (Farmers/ Scientists/ Policymakers) a list of suggested questions and some additional explanations and comments. Please feel free to adapt these questions, if needed and appropriate. 3

59 CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May 2008 INTERVIEWED PERSONS SUGGESTED QUESTIONS COMMENTS & REMARKS 1) FARMERS : 1. What crops do you cultivate this year (define Ad1: Let him/her make a list of all year for Cambodia)? If possible, estimate how crops he/she cultivates many hectares and what percentage of cultivated area. a. Rice: - water rice - dry cultivation b. What major non-rice crops: 2. Which crops are grown for - own consumption - exchange / barter trade - profit? Ad2: Let him/ her explain for what purpose rice and other crops are grown. 3. From where do you get the seeds? (e.g. market, extension worker, last yield,.) a. for rice b. for non-rice crops Ad3: Collect information on seed supply in Cambodia. 4

60 CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May What are the main reasons for cultivating rice? Please comment the answer and give additional information and examples. 4a. What is the tradition of cultivating rice? 4b. What are the market opportunities for rice, compared to non-rice crops? Please give examples 4c. For which crops do you get subsidies from the government? 4d. Do you consider cultivating rice as particularly secure or efficient for a successful harvest every year? 4e. What crop has ever been affected by pests or diseases so that your harvest was destroyed? Please comment. 4f. From where do you get knowledge and experience in cultivating rice or cultivating other crops? 4g. What are your major reasons for cultivating rice? What are the major reasons for cultivating other, nonrice crops? 5 Ad4: Collect and discuss the main reasons and incentives for rice cultivation. Please give for every question a (brief) response. Leave the interviewed person enough time for explaining and giving additional details, examples and comments. Let him tell you short stories, for instance how he goes to the market, what problems he encounters in the cultivation of rice and other crops, about traditions and past experiences, etc

61 CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May Do you remember if in this area other crops than rice have been cultivated before? If yes when and what crops? What were the main reasons for dropping these crops? Has there been any intensification of the cultivation of rice since then? 6. Do you consider growing other crops (additionally to rice) as a chance or as a risk? chance, e.g.: more market opportunities, better rotation, less exposure to diseases or pests, promoting soil fertility, balanced nutrition risks: less subsidies, growing possibilities during rainy seasons, lacking experience & knowledge, access to seeds, 6 Ad5: Discuss the experience in the region with non-rice crops. NB: In case, there has never been cultivation of non-rice crops in the area, then please discuss for what major reasons not. Ad6: Assess his perspective and position towards growing rice or growing non-rice crops.

62 2) SCIENTISTS: = approx persons CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May Perspectives for the future: Do you expect over the next 10 years to grow more rice, less rice or the same amount of rice? Or what other plans for the future? e.g. quit agriculture. 1. What are the main reasons for the predominance of rice in Cambodian Agricultural Sector? 2. Are there plans/ initiatives to further diversify the Cambodian agriculture, for instance by the government? 3. What are the main barriers towards strengthening the cultivation of non-rice crops? 7 Ad7: What are the plans for the future? WHAT SHOULD BE ASSESSED: - Reasons for rice predominance from his/ her point of view - Context of possible diversification: is it officially planned? What are the major problems and difficulties? Is it possible, with regard to the Cambodian agricultural specificity (climate, soil, ) You can make quite open interviews: -Try to provide information on the above mentioned points but - Give interviewed person enough time and possibility to comment and detail and to address issues not covered by the interview guideline, if relevant for the project.

63 3) POLICY MAKERS: = approx persons CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May From agricultural point of view: Would it be feasible to substitute parts of rice cultivation by growing other crops? What crops? What region, provinces would be most appropriate? And for what reasons? 1. What are the main priorities of the Cambodian Agrarian Policy over the next years? What are the plans and prospects for the rice cultivation? 2. Are there plans/ initiatives to further diversification of the Cambodian agriculture? If yes, please explain and comment. 3. What are the main barriers for strengthening the cultivation of non-rice crops? 8 WHAT SHOULD BE ASSESSED: - Political and Economic Context of current rice predominance in Cambodia - Context of possible diversification: is it officially planned? What are the major problems and difficulties? Is it possible with regard to the Cambodian agricultural specificity (climate, soil, ) - Information on the exchange and communication between the Government/ local authorities and the farmers You can make rather open interviews that help to provide information on the above mentioned points. Give interviewed person enough time and possibility to comment and detail and to address issues not covered by

64 CAMBIODIVERSITY - GUIDELINE FOR THE REVIEW 7 May What is the government doing to promote biodiversity and the protection of biodiversity in Cambodia? (Subsidies, Conferences, Training, Programmes, Regulations, ) 5. How is the communication and exchange between government and farmers organised? (exchange of information, requests, questions ) 9 the interview guideline, if relevant for the project.

65 PROMOTING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN CAMBODIA AIMS OF CAMBIODIVERSITY PROJECT PARTNERS: IDC Vienna, Austria, Europe BOKU Vienna, Austria, Europe Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) Phnom Penh, Cambodia Funded by KEF (Commission for Development Studies at the OeAD-GmbH) Duration:18 months April 2008 October 2009 RECOMENDATIONS: How to promote agro-biodiversity (elaborated in cooperation with farmers, scientists and policymakers) Improve access to agricultural tools and materials (seeds, fertilizers,...) Improve agricultural market conditions, especially for cash-crop products Improve access to technology for crop production Develop and improve irrigation and drainage systems Increase rural credit and investment Improve post harvest technology ( Food processing techniques) Improve sustainable agriculture Develop farmers associations Analyse the role of rice in Cambodia s agriculture Promote cooperation with other researchers Elaborate recommendations how to improve and support agro-biodiversity in Cambodia Give farmers in Cambodia the possibility to express their interests and concerns about agricultural diversification Connect farmers, researchers and policy-makers Contribute to poverty reduction. WHY DIVERSIFICATION? Ensure a balanced nutrition Ensure sustainable food supply Limit economic dependency Create new sources of income Contribute to poverty reduction Improve crop rotation and limit vulnerability from mono-culture Promote conservation of genetic resources CONTACT: php?page=cambiodiversity Dr. Angela Meyer Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management [email protected] Sophal Chuong Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia [email protected] DI Veronika Hager University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna

66 List of participants

67 DIVERSEEDS: Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia List of participants P = DIVERSEEDS project member; A = DIVERSEEDS advisory board; G = invited guest Ms. Selena Ahmed (G) Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan China Tel: [email protected] Dr. Poramate Banterng (P) Dept. of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources Faculty of Agriculture Khon Kaen University Thailand Tel: Fax: [email protected] Dr. Oz Barazani (P) Israel Plant Gene Bank Institute of Plant Sciences Agricultural Research Organization Bet Dagan Israel Tel: Fax: [email protected] Mr. Chuong Sophal (G) The Royal University of Agriculture Cambodia Tel: [email protected] Prof. Dai Luyuan (G) Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences Jiang'an District, Kunming, Yunnan China Tel: [email protected] Dr. Brian Ford-Lloyd (P) School of Biosciences University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom Tel: Fax: [email protected] Dr. Song Ge (A) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing China Tel: Fax: [email protected] Dr. Rivka Hadas (P) Israel Plant Gene Bank ARO, Volcani Centre POB 6 Bet-Dagan Israel Tel: Fax: [email protected] Ms. Veronika Hager (P) BOKU University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Institute of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Gentzgasse 150/3/6, A-1180, Vienna Austria Tel: [email protected] Prof. Karl Hammer (P) Kassel University Steinstr. 19, D Witzenhausen Germany Tel: or Fax: [email protected] Mr. Lyda Hok (P) Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University Thailand Tel: Fax: [email protected] Prof. Dr. Kang Dingming (G) Plant Genetic Breeding Department College of Agronomy and Biotechnology China Agricultural University Yuanmingyuan Xilu No. 2, Beijing China Tel: Fax: [email protected] Ms. Shelagh Kell (P) School of Biosciences University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom Tel: Fax: [email protected] DIVERSEEDS second international meeting: final list of participants 1

68 DIVERSEEDS: Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia Ms. Lei Lei (P) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Haidian district Beijing China Tel: Ms. Chun-yan Li (G) Faculty of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University Heilongtan, Kunming, Yunnan China Prof. Li Dezhu (G) Kunming Institute of Botany 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Kunming Yunnan China Tel: Fax: Dr. Yinghui Li (P) Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing China Tel: Fax: Prof. Long Chunlin (A) Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan China Tel: Fax: Prof. Bao-Rong Lu (A) Fudan University Handan Rd. #220, Shanghai China Tel: Fax: Prof. Ma Keping (A) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences No. 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshang, Beijing China Tel: Fax: Dr. Nigel Maxted (P) School of Biosciences University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom Tel: Fax: Mr. Camillo Meinhart (P) Organization for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) Abt-Karlg. 19/21, 1180 Vienna Austria Dr. Angela Meyer (P) Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) Abt-Karl-Gasse 19/21, 1180 Vienna Austria Tel: or [email protected] Mr. Aung Naing Oo (P) Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University Thailand Tel: Fax: [email protected] Dr. Nguyen Thanh Lam (P) Hanoi University of Agriculture Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi Vietnam Tel: Fax: [email protected] Dr. Nguyen Thanh Minh (G) Plant Variety Protection Office, Department of Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) No. 2 Ngocha Street, Badinh, Hanoi Vietnam Tel: Fax: [email protected] Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Tung (G) Hanoi University of Agriculture Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi Vietnam Tel: Fax: [email protected] DIVERSEEDS second international meeting: final list of participants 2

69 DIVERSEEDS: Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anan Polthanee (P) Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Thailand Tel: Fax: Dr. Prof. Lijuan Qiu (P) Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District Beijing China Tel: Fax: Ms. Chutima Ratanasatien (A) Plant Variety Protection Division, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok Thailand Tel: Fax: [email protected] Dr. Markus Schmidt (P) Organization for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) Abt-Karlg. 19/21, 1180 Vienna Austria Tel: Fax: [email protected] Mr. Zhi-xi Tang (P) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing China Tel: Fax: [email protected] Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Long (A) Vietnamese Seed Association No. 2 Ngocha, Badinh, Hanoi Vietnam Tel: Fax: [email protected] Mr. Tran Van Dien (G) Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen City Vietnam Tel: Fax: [email protected] Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Liet (G) Hanoi University of Agriculture Trauquy townlet, Gialam district, Hanoi city Vietnam Tel: Fax: [email protected] Prof. Yun-yue Wang (G) National Centre for Agrobiodiversity Research and Development, Yunnan Agricultural University Kunming , Yunnan China Tel/Fax: [email protected] Dr. Wei Wei (P) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing China Tel: Fax: [email protected] Mr. Ji-jun Xing (G) Division of European Affairs Department of International Cooperation Ministry of Science and Technology of China No.15B Fuxing Road, Beijing China Tel: [email protected] Ms. Chun-yan Yang (G) Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, Yunnan China Tel: [email protected] Dr. Zeng-Yan Zhang (P) Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing China Tel: Fax: [email protected] Dr. Zhang Zongwen (P) Bioversity International c/o CAAS, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie Beijing China Tel: Fax: [email protected] DIVERSEEDS second international meeting: final list of participants 3

70 DIVERSEEDS: Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia Unable to attend: Prof. Dr. Kang Chong (G) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing China Prof. Dr. Xiannin Diao (G) Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Hebei Province China Dr. Jan Engels (P) Bioversity International Via dei Tre Denari 472/a Maccarese (Fiumicino), Rome Italy Tel: Fax: Dr. Lothar Frese (A) Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI) Institute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, Quedlinburg Germany Tel: Fax: Mr. Gregor Giersch (P) IDC, Organization for International Dialogue and Conflict Management Austria Dr. Ralph Gretzmacher (P) University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180 Wien Austria Tel: /3331 Fax: [email protected] Prof. Guo Huijun (G) Department of Forestry, Yunnan Provincial Government 120 Qingnian Road, Kunming, Yunnan China Dr. Tin Htut (A) Plant Genetic Resources Management Division Department of Agriculture Research Myanmar Dr. Korous Khoshbakht (P) University of Kassel Stein Strasse 19, Witzenhausen Germany Tel: Fax: [email protected] Prof. Dr. Fan Liu (G) National Vegetable Research Centre, Beijing China [email protected] Mr. Lorenzo Maggioni (P) Bioversity International, Via dei Tre Denari 472/a Maccarese (Fiumicino), Rome Italy Tel: Fax: [email protected] Prof. Valeria Negri (A) University of Perugia Borgo XX Giugno74, Perugia Italy Tel: Fax: [email protected] Mr. Georges Papageorgiou (G) Minister Counsellor, Science and Technology Section, Qian Kun Mansion, 6, Sanlitun Xi Liu Jie, Beijing, China Tel : Fax: [email protected] Prof. Dr. Yong Peng (G) Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD) Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Beijing China [email protected] Prof. Dr. Songquan Song (G) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing China [email protected] Prof. Sun Haiqing (G) Department of Agriculture, Yunnan Provincial Government 169 Wanhua Road, Kunming, Yunnan China DIVERSEEDS second international meeting: final list of participants 4

71 DIVERSEEDS: Networking on conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe and Asia Dr. Eva Thörn (A) SEEDNET Coordinator Swedish Biodiversity Centre Swedish Uni. of Agricultural Sciences P.O. Box 54, Alnarp Sweden Tel: Fax: Lambert Visser (A) Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN) Wageningen University and Research Centre P.O. Box AA Wageningen The Netherlands Tel: Fax: Prof. Jianlin Wang (G) Tibetan University (University of Xizang) Tibetan Autonomous Region China Prof. Hu-qu Zhai (A) Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences 12 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District Beijing China Prof. Dr. Daming Zhang (G) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing China Dr. Xing Zhi (G) Department of Science and Technology State Forestry Administration of China, Beijing China Mr. Haifei Zhou (P) Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing China Tel: Prof. Dr. Tianyu Wang (G) Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Zhongguancun South Street Haidian District, Beijing China Mr. Ming-zhang Wen (G) Department of Life Science The National Nature Science Foundation of China No.83 Shuangqing Lu, Haidian district Beijing China Tel: Fax: Prof. Dr. Dayuan Xue (A) Chinese Institute of Environment and Resources Protection for Minority Area Central University for Nationalities, Beijing China Tel: Fax: Dr. Lun Yin (G) Centre for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge (CBIK), Kunming, Yunnan China DIVERSEEDS second international meeting: final list of participants 5

72 Promoting Biodiversity Conservation in Cambodia Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Vienna, Austria Background Over half of the world s requirement for proteins and calories are met by just three species, notably maize, wheat and rice, while a further six crops or commodities - sorghum, millet, potato, sweet potato, soybean and sugar (cane/beet) - bring the total to 75% of the global energy intake. Crop diversification plays an increasingly important role for sustainable development and poverty alleviation, as it improves the nutritional well-being, especially of the poor, while stimulating increased income for farmers. Today, the diversity of the Earth s plant life is under threat as never before. In Agriculture, the widespread adoption of a few improved varieties has narrowed the genetic base of important food crops and led to the vanishing of hundreds of landraces. However, and as emphasized by the FAO, the guarantee of biodiversity and the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity are fundamental issues to meet the world s development needs and to promote and support a sufficient and balanced food supply in order to impede a further increase of global poverty. Cambodia > Rice = predominant crop in Cambodia s agriculture > 80% rural population > Large variety of other crops > 2002 ITPGR ratified by Kingdom of Cambodia BUT: only few policies or research on minor crops SO: Agriculture mainly focused on rice Fig. 2 & 3: Interview and discussion with local farmers Major challenges identified (1) Lack of irrigation: Only 20% of cultivated fields are irrigated mainly no cultivation during the wet season (2) Lack of education and knowledge (farmers) about non-rice crops cultivation (3) Technical support and subsidies mainly concern rice cultivation (4) Gap between political commitment towards biodiversity and the current real situation (5) Limited market opportunities for non-rice crops, fear of market instability Fig. 4: Survey: approximate location of the district in the 12 provinces where interviews with representatives of farming households took place. Outcomes (1) Assessment of Cambodia s biodiversity, by emphasising on the issue of the predominant position of rice within the country s agriculture, despite other yet more or less neglected crops. The project encourages a strong integration of local and traditional knowledge, of local populations, producers and particularly women. (2) Promotion of the cooperation with other researchers and the establishment of North- South and South-South networks. (3) Elaboration of recommendations aiming at improving and supporting Cambodia s agrobiodiversity. Fig. 1: Discussion with local farmers Project Purpose In view of the described problematic, the main purpose of this project will be to support the Cambodian researchers from RUA in analysing the circumstances of the current rice predominance in Cambodia in order to assess the probability and conditions for a stronger and sustainable diversification of the Cambodian agriculture. Hereby, it will consider the technical, economic and social context. Based on this assessment, the project will elaborate recommendations on how a diversification of the rice-basis Cambodian agriculture could effectively be achieved. Given the before mentioned broad significance of a diversified agriculture and the promotion of less considered species, the project partners aim at making a substantial joint contribution to the promotion of sustainable development and poverty reduction in Cambodia, as well as, in a broader perspective, to the preservation of global biodiversity and the implementation of the FAO Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources. Project team Dr. Angela Meyer, Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC), Vienna, Austria (project manager) D.I. Veronika Hager, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU), Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria Dr. Chuong Sophal, Royal University of Agriculture (RUA), Phnom Penh, Cambodia Project duration 18 months ( ) Fig. 5: Dr. Angela Meyer, Dr. Chuong Sophal and D.I. Veronika Hager kef commission for development studies at the OeAD-GmbH

73 Commission for Development Studies at the OeAD-GmbH (KEF) Chair: Prof. Gerhard Glatzel Visit our website: The Commission for Development Studies was founded in 1981 as a follow-up to the 1979 UN-Conference Science and Technology for Development in Vienna. As a small organisation KEF aims at bridging the gap between science and development by supporting a development-oriented approach in research and science. KEF members are scientists working at universities and other research organisations, NGOs and international organisations as well as political decision-makers representing four different ministries. KEF both carries out applied cooperative research projects with Austrian partners and partners in developing countries and acts as an advisory body to the scientific community, the private sector, to government bodies and to funding agencies with regard to scientific issues of development cooperation. This event was kindly endorsed by: Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia Commission for Development Studies at the OeAD-GmbH (KEF) University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences With financial support of: Ministry of Science and Research For organisational matters we kindly ask you to register for this event by sending an to: Ms Beatrix Summerer [email protected] Web: KEF Events 2009 Research for Development Roundtables Agro-biodiversity for a sustainable development in Cambodia April 15 th, SR 09 Schwackhöfer Haus, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna Peter Jordan Straße Vienna

74 Agro-biodiversity for a sustainable development in Cambodia Dr. Chuong Sophal: KEF-Project 161 Promoting biodiversity conservation in Cambodia (Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management (IDC) / University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna / Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh) Cambodia is situated in the southeast of Asia, its area comprises about 181,000 square kilometres, which are populated by around 13.9 million people. Rice is presenting the predominantly grown crop and providing the population s main caloric intake. Other crops, such as soybeans or mung beans, taro, groundnuts or sesame, are not sufficiently considered by national policies or research. Therefore, they only occupy a marginal place within the rice-based farming system, despite the nutritional and economic value they could have for the population. This strong concentration on rice and the neglect of other crops give rise to several risks and problems, notably to a non-balanced nutrition, a non-secure and unsustainable food supply due to external dependencies and the global threat of constant genetic resources. The project Cambiodiversity is intended, on the one hand, to analyse the current pre-eminent position of rice in Cambodian agricultural system and to assess, on the other hand, the probability and conditions for a further diversification. The aims of the project are: Assessment of Cambodia s biodiversity, by emphasising on the issue of the predominant position of rice within the country s agriculture. Promotion of the cooperation with other researchers and the establishment of North-South and South-South networks. Elaboration of recommendations aiming at improving and supporting Cambodia s agro-biodiversity. Giving local farmers, as well as more specifically women, more possibilities to express their interests and concerns and to have them considered within policy and agenda setting processes on agricultural diversification. Promotion of global biodiversity. Programme: OPENING BY Prof. Dr. Gerhard Glatzel, Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna PROJECT PRESENTATION BY Dr. Chuong Sophal,, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia Promoting biodiversity conservation in Cambodia (Phnom Penh/Cambodia, Vienna/Austria) ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH... Dr. Angela Meyer,, Board Director, Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management Prof. Dr. Rainer Haas, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna Prof. Dr. Ralph Gretzmacher, Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna MODERATED BY Prof. Dr. Gerhard Glatzel