Promoting Public-Private Dialogue in Cambodia’s Horticulture Sub-Sector

Good communication between the government and the private sector is essential to building an enabling environment that can support growth. However, interaction between stakeholders is not always regular or fruitful. To address this problem in the Cambodian horticulture sector, public-private dialogue (PPD) meetings were organized by Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II in four provinces: Pursat, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Kampong Thom. Participants at the PPDs included buyers, suppliers, agro-input supply companies, financial institutions, provincial chambers of commerce, as well as provincial line departments. During the dialogues, these actors discuss constraints and challenges and propose solutions through focus group exercises.

Mr. Chhim Vachira, Director of PDAFF in Battambang commented that “I am happy to see diverse relevant stakeholders help address constraints and identify areas for collaboration as it is rare to have everyone sitting together like this.” A longan exporter, Mr. Kong Sokha also expressed that “This is a good opportunity to meet and talk about our challenges and propose solutions that benefit all.”

Focus group discussion between microfinance institutions in the horticulture in Battambang.

©Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II/2018/Solina Kong

Numerous findings were raised during each group discussion. For instance, a priority concern raised by agro-input companies was the unfair competition brought about by unregistered and illegal imported agro-inputs and the complex registration and license process. Horticulture producers expressed that they lack production knowledge and technologies, have inadequate capital and market information, and that agro-inputs are expensive – all chronic issues preventing them from being competitive.

In addition, inconsistent supply due to seasonal production, low quality produce, high competition with imports, lack of investment in processing, lack of working capital, and financial skills seemed to be major issues among buyers. The latter, especially, has led to an increase of payback risk to microfinance institutions and banks. Similar issues were also brought up by provincial line departments and development partners.

Focus group discussion between NGOs and development partners on the challenges faced by horticulture actors in Siem Reap.

©Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II/2018/Solina Kong

Harvest II will synthesize and share these findings in a national public-private dialogue to be held later this fiscal year, where government ministries, development partners, and key private sector actors will be engaged. Additionally, this PPD will document the issues, constraints, and challenges, and formulate potential joint solutions to address enabling environment constraints in the sub-sector.