Cambodia Expands School Feeding Program with South Korea Support to Boost Nutrition and Local Agriculture

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 10, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia is expanding its school feeding program using locally produced food, backed by support from South Korea, in a bid to improve student nutrition and strengthen rural agriculture, officials said Tuesday.

The initiative was discussed at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron, with representatives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the World Food Programme.

The program, funded by KOICA, is being rolled out in schools across Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces. It provides nutritious meals for primary school students while upgrading kitchen facilities, dining areas and technical capacity.

According to the Education Ministry, 1,114 schools are benefiting during the 2025–2026 academic year, with 816 funded by the national budget and 298 supported by WFP and development partners.

Officials said the program not only improves children’s health and learning but also creates demand for local farm products, supporting rural livelihoods. The government aims to expand the scheme nationwide and assume full ownership by 2028, with continued technical support from international partners.