Building a sustainable food system in Cambodia

On September 20, 2024, key stakeholders in Cambodia gathered for a pivotal workshop aimed at crafting a Sustainable Food System Country Profile. This event brought together 56 participants from diverse sectors, including government institutions, academic circles, the private sector, international organizations, and civil society groups. All united in their commitment to enhancing food systems in the country.

The workshop was officially opened by H.E. Sok Silo, Secretary General of the Cambodia Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARD). In his remarks, he addressed challenges facing Cambodia’s food systems, particularly the urgent need for increased resilience in the context of climate change and environmental degradation. He underscored the Mekong Delta’s critical role in food production, notably in rice, fisheries, and aquaculture, emphasizing that this region is vital not only for Cambodia but also for the broader Southeast Asian landscape.

It is emphasized that strengthening food systems requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including neighboring countries, United Nations entities, development partners, and the private sector. The Secretary General articulated the Cambodian government’s commitment to a holistic approach that addresses the interconnectedness of food security, nutrition, environmental protection, and Green Development. The focus areas were encapsulated in five key goals: enhancing food security and nutrition, fostering resilience, promoting equity and livelihoods, managing natural resources responsibly, and tackling climate change.

As discussions progressed throughout the day, participants collaborated to develop a comprehensive list of more than 250 indicators aimed at identifying the critical components of Cambodia’s food systems. The workshop aimed not merely to compile data but assess the performance of the food system in Cambodia, to be able to develop actionable outputs that can drive targeted interventions towards increasing the availability and affordability of healthy diets for all Cambodians. This is crucial for pinpointing hotspots of unsustainability within the food sector, which will enable decision-makers to prioritize interventions effectively.

Dr. Sok Sovannarith, Deputy Director of CARD’s Department of Food Security, Nutrition, and Health, closed the workshop by reflecting on the day’s discussions and emphasizing the importance of integrating insights from various domains to produce a robust food systems profile. He put forth four core recommendations:

• Utilize existing guidance on nutrition-sensitive agri-food systems to identify challenges and design pertinent projects.
• Advance budget mobilization to enhance dissemination and training for relevant stakeholders, especially at the sub-national level.
• Regularly update and implement strategies based on emerging data and indicators.
• Align project design with national policies and strategies to ensure cohesive action.

The workshop concluded with a call for ongoing collaboration. Alliance of Biodiversity and CIAT and partners were invited to design a tailored guidance framework that aligns with Cambodia’s Agricultural and Maritime Development (AMD) mandate for 2025-2030. This collaboration aims to validate food system indicators with the assistance of specialists in many elements of the food system, including food security and nutrition, fostering a more holistic understanding of the food landscape.

As Cambodia navigates its path toward sustainable food systems, this workshop marks a significant step toward achieving a resilient and integrated approach to food security and nutrition, aligning with national and regional goals. By engaging diverse stakeholders and focusing on collaborative strategies, Cambodia is poised to enhance its food systems, ensuring that they are sustainable, equitable, and resilient for future generations.