The Accelerating Inclusive Markets for Smallholders (AIMS) project has been employed in eight of Siem Reap’s districts and engages 150 farmer groups. COMMERCE MINISTRY
Agro-industrial firm LY LY Food Industry Co Ltd on January 22 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Siem Reap-based wholesaler Food and Agriculture Market (FAM) to supply it with fruits and vegetables.
The signing ceremony was presided over by Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak in Siem Reap province.
LY LY Food Industry CEO Keo Mom told The Post on January 24 that the MoU would serve to source Siem Reap produce to dry, adding that “our factory has the capacity to produce about six tonnes of dried fruits and vegetables per day”.
She said her company is currently trialling a number of produce options for the dehydration process. “We are not sure which fruits and vegetables will be good for our production – we need to test them and see if they come out at high qualities and taste nice, at which point we’ll order more from them [FAM] immediately.”
LY LY would require around two tonnes of kabocha winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) and wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) daily for processing, the ministry said, noting that the company has conducted continuous trials of asparagus beans (Vigna unguiculata) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus).
Speaking at the ceremony, Sorasak said the ministry has been spearheading the Accelerating Inclusive Markets for Smallholders (AIMS) project to improve connectivity between production and the market.
He said the project will shore up agro-commercial products to supply the local market and increase farmers’ incomes.
“This MoU is another achievement that comes from the efforts of AIMS to connect producers, buyers and processing plants and contribute to national economy development and increasing incomes for locals,” Sorasak said.
He called on the two sides to work together and strike the right balance between quantity and quality to ensure a smooth, sustainable ordering and supply scheduling, adding that they must share information with each other and coordinate with stakeholders to address potential challenges.
“Both sides need to examine the possibility of further expansion of other agro-commercial products – as well as support for farmers’ products – and promote quality and safety.
“Good cooperation in the supply and order of agro-commercial vegetable products will build trust and further stabilise the prices of these products in the market,” Sorasak said.
The AIMS project has been employed in eight of Siem Reap’s districts and engages 150 farmer groups.
