Vegetable consumption in Cambodia is currently one of the lowest in Asia. In 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries estimated vegetable production at 376 546 tonnes. Whilst production has increased somewhat in recent years it is still insufficient to meet current consumer demand with domestic production heavily supplemented by imports. The RGC has a long term strategy to replace these imports with local production and to increase vegetable consumption.
It is in this context that HORT/2006/107 seeks to build on its predecessor HORT/2003/045 and to implement a seed to plate approach to vegetable research and development in Cambodia, and in doing so, enhance Cambodian vegetable farmers' ability to meet domestic demand for high quality and nutritious tomatoes, chillies and leafy vegetables.
The project is a partnership between 2 Australian organisations: NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University; 3 Cambodian organisations: General Directorate of Agriculture; Cambodian Agriculture Research and Development Institute and Royal University of Agriculture and 1 International organisation: Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre.
The objectives of the project are to:
 To more fully map supply chains for tomatoes, chillies and leafy vegetables;
 To improve product quality and supply through delivery of technical packages on production, disease management and supply chain management;
 To build capacity of research and extension staff in vegetable production and postharvest research, and plant pathology and
 To better understand gaps in vegetable extension material and produce an appropriate suite of materials suitable for use with farmers and supply chain participants.
Key outputs/activities in 2010/2011 have included:
 Completion of the 'Vegetable Value Chain Analysis' in Kampot and Kandal. Four reports on the different components have been produced by CARDI and these are currently being consolidated into a succinct Value Chain Report;
 Commencement of an irrigation adoption study looking at reasons why farmers adopt or abandon new technologies, such as the IDE low-cost drip irrigation system. Insights gained will enable us to develop better extension strategies that will facilitate the adoption of new technologies or improved production/postharvest practices;
 Completion of trial work towards the development of an effective low-cost pre-cooling system for leafy vegetables. The next step will be demonstrating this system to collectors in Kandal province;
 For the pathology component, the completion of farmer surveys in the provinces of Kandal and Kampot, disease surveys in both provinces, joint training and sharing of facilities, and the successful running of the first plant disease workshop activity;
 For the production component, further on-farm trial work looking at the implementation of improved production practices including new varieties, low cost drip irrigation systems, mulching and optimised crop nutrition;
 Building project team capacity in the development of effective extension materials that will lead to the production of a series of Farmer Fact Sheets covering varieties, improved production and postharvest management and pest and disease management.
 For the Australian component, the continued development of extension resources for NESB growers.

The Cambodian vegetable industry is expanding, with current production estimates at 376 546 tonnes (MAFF, 2010). Despite this increase in production, these levels are still insufficient to meet current consumer demand with domestic production heavily supplemented by imports.
In February 2012, the project co-convened the inaugural Vegetable Industry Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Forum attracted 150 representatives from the Government, NGO and private sector to look at 'How do we go about strengthening the Cambodian Vegetable Industry?' The Forum provided an opportunity to:
showcase the latest research and development in the Cambodian vegetable sector (including technology, practices and market analysis);
forge networks between public, NGO and private sector vegetable professionals;
learn about developments in the region; and
facilitate the exchange of ideas on sector development.
Project R&D outputs featured strongly at The Forum where the team presented 16 posters covering the full range of R&D carried out in the project (socio-economic, agronomy, postharvest and pathology). Whilst this Forum covered vegetable production from seed to plate, future events are likely to focus on one specific aspect - eg. seed industry development or food safety. The Forum was a key milestone for the project drawing people across the industry together to look at future opportunities for sector development.
Other key outputs/activities in 2011/2012 have included:
 Completion of the irrigation adoption study looking at reasons why farmers adopt or abandon new technologies, such as the IDE low-cost drip irrigation system. Insights gained will enable us to develop better extension strategies that will facilitate the adoption of new technologies or improved production/postharvest practices;
 Completion of series of postharvest trials on pre-cooling systems for leafy vegetables and alternative packaging options for tomatoes and leafy vegetables. The next step will be to road test the full package;
 For the pathology component, the completion of farmer surveys in Kampong Thom. Field surveys and collections were conducted in Kandal, Kampong Thom and Banteay Meanchey, with infection by virus on solanaceous crops being the common issue in each province;
Research activities included determining the effects of both garlic oil extract and synthetic chemicals on soil-borne pathogens. Garlic oil extract was seen to be effective at providing a level of protection from infection by Pythium, however some deleterious effects on the tomato host were observed at higher concentrations. Management of Sclerotuim rolfsii with synthetic chemicals provided clear indications that Carbendazim provided the best control. However, caution must be advised given the chemicals current review status in terms of residue limits and health effects;
 For the production component, on-farm field demonstrations were conducted to display improved varieties, seed saving practices, irrigation and mulch techniques. Field days were conducted as part of the demonstrations for local farmers to view and assess the technologies. The tomato varieties Neang Pich (CLN2498A, TMKK3) and Neang Tamm (CLN1462A, TMKK2) were included in on-farm demonstrations. Methods to select and save seed were also demonstrated;
 Building project team capacity in the development of effective extension materials leading to the production of a series of Farmer Fact Sheets covering varieties, improved production and postharvest management and pest and disease management.
 For the Australian component, the production of a field identification guide for solanaceous fruiting vegetables (tomato, capsicum, chilli and eggplant).