Modernising Cambodia’s hydraulic and irrigation systems and practices

Yet many of these hydraulic and irrigation systems have not been maintained or upgraded since they were built during the 1990s – and some have not even been rehabilitated since their construction in the 1970s under the Khmer Rouge.

The project has also worked with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF) to define and implement the Cambodian Government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture intensification and diversification.  This has involved the modernisation of irrigation infrastructures to disseminate agro-ecology practices as a way to increase fertility, yields and quality, encourage value-chain structuration and agro-diversification, and improve carbon capture and storage.

Progress to date

In its third year of operation, with less than a year to go, WATCAM has delivered some key successes. Our consortium team working to deliver the goals of component four has provided innovative support and a creative approach. In the area of institutional support, an irrigated agro-ecology agriculture strategy has been examined with MAFF and a revised rice policy has been discuseed in order to improve support for the rice trade policies of the Royal Government of Cambodia. Developed under supervision from the Cambodia Rice Federation, the team has delivered the Paddy Trading Platform, a mobile application to buy and sell quality paddy rice. An official Contract Farming Manual has been discussed to finalise and adopted and support given to the certification of quality rice seeds and seeds of cover/relay crops.

The team also continues to provide different kinds of support for the institutionalisation of various tools such as credit guaranty mechanisms for the Agricultural Cooperative, Union of Agricultural Cooperative and the Cambodia Rice Sector Economic Observatory, which is a monitoring mechanism used by stakeholders and policymakers to analyse Cambodia’s rice sector.

Working with 18 agricultural cooperatives (ACs) and four AC unions, WAT4CAM has delivered agricultural extension services and improved crop diversification in the irrigated schemes and preks. Agribusinesses have been supported in cover crop seed production and the development of organic rice farming and the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) initiative. SRP is a global multi‐stakeholder alliance working to transform the global rice sector by improving smallholder livelihoods, reducing the social, environmental and climate footprint of rice production, and by offering the global rice market an assured supply of sustainably produced rice.

The extension services training and capacity building focuses on food safety and quality control, SRP/organic and agro-ecology best practice, and the development of business plans in order to access financial support and loans. Learning tools have been developed and support given to promote contract farming with the private sector to ensure sustainable premium prices for agro-ecological outputs.

Through these efforts, WAT4CAM has been able to promote sustainable agriculture practices in its target areas. By encouraging farmers to diversify and plant crops – including cover crops – during the dry season, the project has helped improve soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers. This has not only benefitted the environment but also improved the livelihoods of farmers in these areas. Additionally, WAT4CAM has provided training and support to help farmers effectively implement these practices, ensuring they reap the full benefits of sustainable agriculture. 

With 1429 households and a total area of 1421 ha, cover crop planting and other agro-ecology practices currently account for 15% of command areas:

• Battambang: 833 ha (436 farmers);
• Siem Reap: 312.80 ha (404 farmers);
• Preah Vihear: 182 ha (366 farmers);
• Kampong Thom: 86.46 ha (57 farmers);
• Kandal: 6.40 ha (26 farmers).

With crop diversification on the dry-season rice fields, the team reached total of 560.58 ha with 531 farmers, which is equal to 5.6% of the command areas:

• Battambang: 377 ha (224 farmers);
• Siem Reap: 116.38 ha (165 farmers);
• Preah Vihear: 40.60 ha (79 farmers);
• Kampong Thom: 26 ha (57 farmers);
• Kandal: 0.25 ha (6 farmers).

By working closely with local farmers and providing them with the resources they need to succeed, the project has been able to create a thriving agricultural community that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. As WAT4CAM continues to grow and expand, it will undoubtedly continue to have a positive impact on the lives of farmers and their families throughout Cambodia.

The WAT4CAM team continues to work with various stakeholders to strengthen the rice value chain and horticulture value chain and particular support is given to such as ACs and their unions such as in Siem Reap Meanchey, Battambang and Kandal Province in developing their services and progressively improving their autonomy. Efforts are focused on improving commercialisation prospects via engagement with the private sector, contract farming and promotion of niche rice markets. The team is also assessing the possibility of developing a rice geographical indication (GI) and branding of agricultural products.

WAT4CAM is envisioned to be a multi-phase programme, and currently we are only in the first phase. While the foundation of the project is the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure to provide reliable access to water for irrigation and agriculture, WAT4CAM takes a holistic approach and seeks to improve the ways that the water is used in agriculture. By undertaking an agricultural transition in this first phase, smallholder farmers will diversify what they cultivate, increasing incomes, improving food security, and leading to more ecologically and climate-friendly agriculture in Cambodia.