On site: Origination opportunities in Cambodia
The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) is officially supporting three origination projects in the Kingdom of Cambodia. These exciting opportunities pave the way for further investment in climate adaptation in the region, across various sectors:
- Sustainable coffee value chain development in Mondulkiri province;
- Regenerative agriculture for organic rice production in Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri provinces as well as Battambang province; and
- Access to drinking water in Preah Sinanouk
In February, the DFCD was on site to meet the entrepreneurs and see their impact in person. Consortium partners from FMO, SNV and WWF noted the added value of working together in this type of partnership, highlighting the knowledge and expertise that are amplified when key actors meet with promising local opportunities.
The specific context of ‘market creation’ is a key reason the DFCD program adds value in this landscape. Growing enterprises such as SMEs face a range of issues which require tailored support from a technical and business perspective in order to strengthen their market readiness. In Cambodia, the DFCD invests in developing the coffee industry and protecting mangroves in Vietnam through shrimp farming, learning important lessons along the way.
Participants included:
- Huib-Jan de Ruijter co-CFO of FMO
- Aart Mulder: Portfolio Manager DFCD, FMO; Alexandra Mandelbaum, Country Director SNV; Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Remco Van Wijngaarden; H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery; Dara Hei, Kofi CEO; H.E. Nao Thuok, Secretary of State of MAFF; H.E. Touch Bunhour, Secretary of State of MAFF; H.E. Kong Chanveasna, Secretary of State of MAFF
- Amru Rice Company team with CFO Jonathan Lim
Highlights of the visit included:
- The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SNV and the Kofi Co., Ltd to support the development of sustainable agroforestry coffee value chains in Mondulkiri, chaired by H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
- Meeting key local stakeholders and partners whose support is instrumental in achieving change. High-level discussions on the importance of climate finance from the DFCD to support Cambodia’s economic development. Among others, the importance of unlocking financial support for non-traditional sectors like agroforestry and organic rice were discussed in depth.
- Meetings with the Amru Rice Company, which is supporting regenerative agriculture for organic rice production in Cambodia. “The project aims to develop farmers' knowledge and skills on climate-smart farming practices with a view to help communities transition to sustainable food cultivation and agribusinesses that strive to meet carbon targets in tandem with international efforts.” Jonathan LIM CFO Amru Rice.
To learn more please visit www.thedfcd.com or reach out to Alex Downs, adowns@snv.org, Pien Nijs, p.nijs@fmo.nl, or Stuart Beavis, sbeavis@wwf.org.h