Cambodian vegetable industry forum looks to the future

The inaugural Cambodian Vegetable Industry Forum held on 28-29 February 2012 brought together 150 players to consider how to strengthen the industry into the future.

Vegetable production in Cambodia has doubled since 2005 to close to 400,000 tonnes per year. Despite this growth, domestic production is heavily supplemented by imports. Increasing vegetable production is vital to address the low vegetable consumption rates of Cambodians, which is contributing to malnutrition.

Helping the industry

The Australian Government, through ACIAR, has invested in vegetable research and development in Cambodia since 2005 in partnership with Cambodian and Australian government and academic agencies, along with the World Vegetable Center. These partnerships have helped build vegetable research and extension capacity through activities such as farmer training and support for government extension services.

ACIAR project leader Dr Suzie Newman of the NSW Department of Primary Industrues says the Cambodian vegetable industry faces constraints such as seed availability and high post-harvest losses; there is also a need for options in the dry and wet seasons.

"The ACIAR-funded work has helped with establishing better ways of controlling pests and diseases, with agronomy, and with developing management techniques that suit Cambodian farmers," she said. "Even simple practices, such as harvesting early or late in the day to prevent wilting makes a difference, giving vegetables a longer shelf life."

Information exchange

The Cambodian Vegetable Industry Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, together with ACIAR as part of the Cambodian Agricultural Value Chains Program (CAVAC). It provided the opportunity for participants from public, private and non-government organisations to forge networks, to learn about the latest research and development in the region, and to exchange ideas on strengthening the vegetable industry.

The Forum featured sessions on seeds and other inputs, production technologies, postharvest management, along with food safety and marketing. A field trip facilitated discussion with farmers, collectors and wholesalers on key issues facing the industry.