IFAD–ASPIRE AT Partnership Unlocks $35 Million in Market Access for Cambodia’s Rural Farmers

PHNOM PENH, Feb 17, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Agriculture Services Programme for an Inclusive Rural Economy and Agricultural Trade (ASPIRE AT), backed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has facilitated US$35 million in commercial agreements between rural producers and buyers, marking a significant step in improving structured market access for smallholder farmers, officials said Sunday.

The announcement came during the February 2026 Implementation Support Mission, which highlighted the program’s transition from restructuring to accelerated delivery. Operating under a partnership between the Cambodian government, IFAD, the European Investment Bank and the EU Delegation, ASPIRE AT has reduced barriers to market entry through brokerage, value chain mobilisation and improved grading systems.

Forty SMEs have been supported, with two firms securing US$600,000 in financing to expand sourcing from organised farmers. Progress has also been made in sanitary and phytosanitary reforms, including export protocols for durian, pineapple and jackfruit to markets such as China and Japan.

Officials said women account for 45 percent of rural borrowers, underscoring inclusive financial outreach. Analysts note that the initiative reflects IFAD’s 30 year partnership with Cambodia, translating coordinated finance and regulatory reform into tangible trade outcomes that strengthen smallholders’ role in global value chains.