Cambodia Pushes Agricultural Value Chain Integration to Bolster Food Security, Rural Economy

PHNOM PENH, May 12, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia is stepping up efforts to strengthen agricultural value chain integration as the government seeks to improve food security, stabilize farmer incomes and support rural economic growth amid global uncertainty, officials said Tuesday.

The push was highlighted during a meeting chaired by Agriculture Minister Dith Tina with the Cambodia Rice Federation, representatives of modern farming communities and the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank.

Discussions focused on linking farmers, buyers, financial institutions and private-sector processors through mechanisms such as contract farming, financing support and technology adoption to improve product quality and price stability.

The integrated value chain model is increasingly vital as Cambodia navigates global economic volatility, helping provide farmers and businesses with greater predictability in production and market access.

The meeting also reviewed implementation of government priority programs aimed at modernizing agriculture and expanding commercial farming communities nationwide.

Agriculture Ministry spokesman Khim Finan said the Modern Farming Community Policy, launched by Prime Minister Hun Manet in late 2023, has expanded to 31 communities across 14 provinces, benefiting about 4,000 households.

The initiative has generated around 30 contract farming agreements worth $40 million, covering rice, cashew nuts, pepper, vegetables, Skouy chicken and Pailin longan.

Agriculture remains a key pillar of Cambodia’s economy, contributing 16 percent to GDP in 2025 while underpinning national food security.

The Cambodia Rice Federation said rice exports maintained strong momentum in early 2026, with 469,909 tonnes of milled rice worth more than $266 million shipped to 60 destinations between January and April, driven by demand from ASEAN countries and China.