Cambodia Agricultural Sector Diversification Project IN CAMBODIA (CASDP) Background Cambodia’s agricultural sector contributed about one quarter of annual GDP and was the sources of 3.1 million jobs in 2016. Nearly 46.3% or 3 million rural people still rely on agriculture for employment. Since 2013, the sector has experienced very little growth, raising concerns about its underlying strength and competitiveness and its ability to continue to provide sustainable livelihoods in the future. External shocks, including a large drop in agricultural commodity prices, drought and flood, have slowed progress in the sector. Many Cambodian producers, particularly small- and medium-size farmers, lack the knowledge, skills, access to modern inputs, and processing techniques to successfully commercialize their agricultural output. Locations: Battambang, Lack of road connectivity and irrigation for Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Stung crops other than rice limit the sector’s Treng, Preah Vihear, Kampong growth prospects. Cham, Tboung Khmum, Kratie, Siem Reap, Kandal, Kampong Speu To address these challenges, the and Kampong Chhnang provinces government, with financial support from and Phnom Penh. the World Bank, has established the Cambodia Agricultural Sector Financiers: Diversification Project (CASDP). • World Bank (International About the Project Development Association): The main objective of the project is to facilitate the development of diversified agriculture value US$91.67 million chains in selected geographical areas in Cambodia. The project has four components: • Royal Government of Cambodia: US$10 million Component 1: Enabling Agriculture Diversification:  Supporting the preparation and implementation of diversified agricultural value chains by Executing and Implementing facilitating partnering among stakeholders who want to conduct business together, supporting Agencies: preparation and evaluation of Diversification Proposals (DPr) and of full-fledged Diversification • Ministry of Agriculture, Plans for selected proposals, and providing implementation and technical support to Producer Forestry and Fisheries Organizations (POs) and Small and Medium Agribusinesses (SMA). • Ministry of Economy and  Financing agriculture diversification by setting up a credit line, complemented by a matching Finance grant facility, for POs and SMAs to link to value chains. • Ministry of Rural Component 2: Supporting Public Infrastructure: Development  Selective rehabilitation or upgrading of irrigation water conveyance and distribution systems • Ministry of Water Resources identified in the Diversification Plan (DPl). and Meteorology  Enhancement of connectivity through improving farm -to-market roads identified in the DPl. Component 3: Improving Agriculture Information Systems and Quality Control Management : Approval Date:  Supporting the collection and dissemination of technical information, market intelligence, and January 31, 2019 analytical work and policy planning. Closing Date:  Strengthening the effectiveness of plant protection and phytosanitary, animal health, and food December 31, 2025 safety surveillance, reporting and inspectorate systems, and systems to enforce agricultural input regulations, including the development of certification, licensing and other quality - control and management services; developing and applying regulations on good agriculture Contact: practices (GAPs) and organic products and good animal husbandry practices (GAHPs), and use Ms. Mudita Chamroeun, of geographic indicators. World Bank Task Team Leader E-mail: cmudita@worldbank.org Component 4: Project Management, Coordination, and Monitoring and Evaluation:  Providing necessary key contract staff and consultants in the coordination and implementation unit to assist the MAFF in managing project implementation in cooperation and coordination with the Technical Working Group on Agriculture and Water and with other projects. www.worldbank.org  Monitoring and evaluation of project implementation.  Hiring Technical Assistants to support project implementation and capacity of MAFF and other www.youtube.com/worldbank key stakeholders. Beneficiaries and Results www.twitter.com/worldbank The project’s direct beneficiaries are small-and-medium-size farmers, organized in POs or cooperatives, and showing potential and interest to develop their farming business, and SMAs that are interested in direct cooperation with farmers and POs to jointly develop their business/value chain. www.facebook.com/worldbank