Cambodian officials to review impact of farmers' adoption of climate-smart rice

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The initial impact of  farmer adoption of new climate-smart rice varieties (photo) and technologies will be reviewed by state officials and other stakeholders on 28-29 July.

Around 80 participants are expected to attend the first annual review and planning of the project, Accelerating the Adoption of Stress-tolerant Rice Varieties by Smallholder Farmers in Nepal and Cambodia (ASTV). 

The two-day review will take place after the commemoration of the 30-year partnership between Cambodia and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on 27 July. That celebration, attracting both Cambodian and IRRI officials including Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly and IRRI Director General Matthew Morell, will feature exhibits highlighting the milestones of the enduring partnership. During the celebration, a historic Host Country Agreement between Cambodia and IRRI will be signed followed by the Southeast Asia Regional Consultation Workshop on IRRI's 10-Year Strategic Plan.

Attending the ASTV project review on the following two days will be Secretary of State Ty Sokhun, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF); and So Khan Rithykun, director general, General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA). Top officials from MAFF, GDA, the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, directors and representatives from the Provincial Department of Agriculture, seed companies, and development agencies will also take part in the review.

ASTV seeks to reduce poverty and hunger and increase food security and income of poor farm households in its target countries by introducing high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties and technologies and strengthening local research and delivery systems. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the project is part of the Feed the Future Program, a Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative of the U.S. Government.

(This news item was written by Maria Rowena M. Baltazar, IRRI.) 

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