Strengthening Markets through Collaboration across Provinces

Vegetable Actors in Pursat and Battambang Conduct Exposure Visit to Exchange Learnings

In recent years, as incomes in Cambodia have grown, so, too, has demand for high-quality, safely-produced vegetables. A majority of the vegetables consumed in Cambodia are imported from neighboring countries – but an increasing number of Cambodian consumers are willing to pay more for locally-grown Cambodian produce.

Many vegetable farmers in Pursat province, however, face challenges capitalizing on these opportunities. To this end, Harvest II worked with Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (PDAFF) officials in Pursat province to organize a two-day exposure visit for a group of 11 vegetable growers to neighboring Battambang province. There, many farmers practice more modern production methods, and agricultural cooperatives (ACs) work with PDAFF officials support their members to access markets. Pursat PDAFF officials agreed that they, and the farmers they work, would benefit by exchanging learnings with their peers in Battambang.

Through this visit, Battambang PDAFF officials hosted farmers and officials from Pursat to meet with a number of horticulture sector actors in Battambang, including a vegetable-focused AC and an input supply company, to observe improved production methods, learn about improved AC management, and hold discussions around how PDAFF officials can best support farmers.

Battambang PDAFF officials hosted farmers and officials from Pursat to observe improved production methods and hold discussions with market actors in Battambang.  

To further promote vegetable growers’ capacity, Harvest II engaged East-West Seed Co. (EWS), an input supply company, to provide additional trainings and follow-up on-farm coaching for producers. Through this collaboration, farmers received technical support to implement some of the best practices that they had observed from farmers in Battambang, such as improved pest and disease management.

“This visit was very important for our farmers, enabling them to learn from the experience of other farmers in Battambang,” said Chey Channy, a Pursat PDAFF official. “We observed practices such as the use of modern irrigation systems and washing and packaging vegetables, as well as finding markets for farmers’ products.”

Vegetable farmer Lorn Sokha hopes to work with an input supply company to an install sprinkler irrigation system on her farm after observing their use in Battambang. 

Un Leakhena, a vegetable farmer in Kandieng district, agreed. “I saw practices I haven’t seen before,” she said, “especially the sprinkler irrigation system. I think it would be very helpful, and I want to install it on my own farm.” She and her sister Lorn Sokha, who also joined the exposure visit, both want other farmers to join too, so that they can also learn about new technologies and best practices.

Pursat PDAFF officials are currently working with farmers to acquire Cambodia Good Agricultural Practices (CamGAP) certification, which will enable them to label their products and differentiate them from conventionally-grown vegetables. Furthermore, Pursat PDAFF has undertaken a public awareness campaign and event to build local consumers’ understanding of the benefits of eating ‘safe’ vegetables – and connect them with the farmers who grow them.

Going forward, Harvest II will continue to engage input supply companies to support farmers to replicate the improved practices that they observed through the visit, and will work with public and private sector partners to plan similar exchange visits. At the same time, Harvest II will continue to connect farmers to larger and more reliable markets for their produce, such as wholesale markets in the province and modern retail outlets in Phnom Penh – part of Harvest II’s work to support inclusive and sustainable growth in the horticulture sector.