Yang Saing Koma, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said that when Hun Manet is sworn in as prime minister on August 22, he will spearhead the implementation of seven “core” programme, three of which concern the agricultural sector.
“These seven core programmes include health, vocational training for 1.5 million youths, social affairs, development of the informal economy, allocation of $100 million to maintain the balance of agricultural product prices during the harvest, deployment of 1,600 agricultural officials to nationwide communes, and establishment of more agricultural communities,” he said.
He added that three of the political programmes are targeted at assisting farmers, with the ministry preparing budgets for their implementation.
Saing Koma made the remarks while presiding over the handover of vegetable and rice seeds to improve food security, nutrition and the livelihoods of impoverished farmers, in a ceremony held in Kampot province’s Chhouk district on July 28.
The ceremonial handover symbolised the start of a family food production project launched by Helen Keller International Cambodia and Germany’s development agency GIZ.
In an ambitious move to improve food security, nutrition and the livelihoods of impoverished farmers, the two major organisations have given more than 4,000 farming households a glimmer of hope. These families, spread across Takeo, Kampot and Kampong Thom provinces, have received vegetable and rice seeds through the programme.
In a recent social media post, Helen Keller International shed some light on the project’s core objectives. Funded by GIZ through the Multi-sectoral Food and Nutrition Security Project (MUSEFO), the initiative focuses on several areas. These include the introduction of smart farming techniques, fostering behavioural changes towards nutrition and a healthy diet, and the distribution of vital agricultural resources.
Saing Koma said the project is vital as it concerns the food security policy of the government. He suggested that Helen Keller International gather data from the communities which received the rice varieties so the Kampot provincial agricultural department can facilitate agreements with local rice mills.
The project has selected 100 farming communities and more than 4,000 vegetable and rice producers in Takeo, Kampot and Kampong Thom provinces. The project will arm people aged 18 to 30 with knowledge and skills in nutrition and healthy diet through a peer educator programme.
