Cambodia Harvest III (Harvest III), a five-year project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is inviting applications for its grants of up to $250,000 for investors and distributors, and up to $150,000 for other agricultural NGOs.
This grant programme aims to boost sustainable economic growth, enhance environmental sustainability, and foster competition in agriculture.
According to a social media post by the Harvest III project, these initiatives will enhance competitiveness and resilience, with a strong focus on inclusivity, targeting women, youth and marginalised groups.
Entities eligible for financing include agricultural unions, modern market participants, service providers, investors, or nonprofit organisations interested in co-investing in food safety standards. The application deadline for this project is October 13.
It said the financing aims to promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture certifications, including Cambodia Good Agriculture Practices (CamGAP), Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).
Leang Leng, proprietor of a fish and soy sauce enterprise, expressed his intent to apply for a Harvest III grant. He highlighted that his firm previously received $90,000 from the Harvest II project, which was used to streamline his factory’s production line. For the upcoming project, he plans to use the funds to purchase machinery for chilli sauce filling to expedite production.
“I’ve gained numerous advantages from the previous project. By enhancing our production line, our sales have surged by 30-40 per cent. Therefore, I intend to submit an application for Harvest III,” he explained.
Bun Sieng, owner of Natural Agriculture Village – an organic vegetable buyer – also received funding from the Harvest II project and intends to apply for a Harvest III grant to expand the cultivation of natural fruits and vegetables to meet market demand.
“The Harvest project has significantly benefited Cambodia’s agricultural sector, especially in vegetable farming, transforming our approach to farming. I’m eager to seek this financing to further expand my business,” she pointed out.