Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina outlined the ministry's policy to ensure food security and safety to Umali Deininger, Singapore-based World Bank agriculture practice manager for East Asia and the Pacific, as Deininger paid a June 8 courtesy call at the ministry headquarters.
During the meeting, the minister said the ministry’s goal was to make food security more effective and economically sustainable for all Cambodian farmers and the people of the Kingdom.
In addition, he described how the ministry’s policies seek to organise agricultural communities so they can work together horizontally and vertically, with efficient and high-quality cultivation techniques that will meet the demands of the market, and generate increased profits.
The two sides also discussed mechanisms to derive income from carbon credits through planting tree saplings throughout Cambodia.
He mentioned the Kingdom’s plans to boost cashew nut exports, and also asked the World Bank to assist with the establishment of a national laboratory that will ensure product quality inspections and food safety, through the prevention of various diseases.
On the same day, Tina also met for talks with Japanese ambassador Atsushi Ueno and Sanui Kazumasa, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Cambodia Office.
At the meeting, Tina outlined the Ministry's policies on agricultural development through ensuring food security and sustainability and a focus on quality and safety.
The policies also support cost reduction and the promotion of potential value-added products along with the opening of new export markets for produce like rice and cashews, in order to increase efficiency, profitability and economic sustainability.
Tina noted that Cambodia’s farmers need access to increased capital or low-interest loans in order to develop production infrastructure and human resource capacity.
In addition, he explained that the use of QR code technology will improve consumer confidence, expanding potential markets and improving supply chains, in line with international standards.
