Prepared by Sok Chanraksmey – DPA

On 25th and 26th June 2025, the Cambodia Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Intensification Consortium (CASIC) organized “the CASIC Connect Day” and “National Consultation Workshop on ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions in Cambodia” at the Royal University of Agriculture.

The CASIC Connect Day was chaired by H.E. Om Kimsir, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Chair of CASIC Steering Committee and attended by CASIC Steering committee members, subcommittee members, the Executive Board, high officials from 10 target provinces, embassies, national and international development partners, the private sector, and students, with a total of 126 participants (43 females).

H.E. Om Kimsir, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)

To be mentioned, the CASIC is an inter-ministerial platform in which its committee has six ministries including MAFF, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MoEYS), and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.

This Connect Day connected multiple key players from different development programmes and agencies, institutions, and networks who work on the same goals in increasing the awareness of the various aspects of agroecology and highlighting its significance for the sustainable transformation of agricultural practice in Cambodia.

This event opened with the first session, which featured a presentation on the Policy Guideline on Agroecology Transition in ASEAN. The presentation was delivered by Mr. PHY Chhin, a focal point representing the LICA Focal Point of ASEAN from the Department of Agricultural Land Resources Management, General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA). The presentation aimed to introduce the regional commitment to agroecology transition, particularly to raise awareness among the policy-making group about this guideline as support for their work.

Mr. PHY Chhin, a focal point representing the LICA Focal Point of ASEAN

In addition, this event was designed with plenary discussions to share the practical experiences from the different fields, such as:

1. Policy perspectives on agroecology, by members CASIC streering committee
2. Research and Development: members of the CASIC subcommittee research
3. Knowledge Management and Education: members of the CASIC subcommittee on knowledge management
4. Innovative Agroecology Promotion Initiatives: members of the CASIC Subcommittee promotion, including SevaKasekor, WAT4CAM, ALiSEA, Nurture/HEKs.
5. Agroecology services and technologies, by Battambang Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (BUAC),

Mr. HOU Sorith, ALiSEA Knowledge Management Coordinator, shared the mechanism and the approach of producing knowledge products with ALiSEA and with members. Ms. SOK Chanraksmey, ALiSEA National Secretary, shared the mechanism of ALiSEA in promoting the agroecology.

In addition, this event was organized with the support of the Royal University of Agriculture, Swisscontact, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), Agroecology in Southeast Asia (ASEA), HEKS-EPER’s Nurture Project, the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), Agroecology Learning Alliance in Cambodia (ALiSEA), the Cambodian Institute for Research and Rural Development (CIRD), East-West Seed, and Water Resources Management and Agro-ecological Transition for Cambodia (WAT4CAM) Program (Phase 1).

Following days, on 26th June 2025, ALiSEA, in cooperation with, organized the “National Consultation Workshop on ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions in Cambodia” under the support of GRET, Uni4Coop, CamboDHRRA, LICA, and the ALiSEA executive team (DPA, CFAP, ECOLAND).

This event was held to disseminate vital information on the ASEAN Policy Guidelines for agroecology transitions while collecting inputs from all stakeholders to prioritize leverage points for implementation that align with their activities. During the presentation of Mr. PHY Chhin on ASEAN Policy Guidelines for agroecology transitions, there were multiple curious questions from participants.

This enthusiastic event gathered 69 participants, including 23 women, from various key stakeholders such as farmer organizations, the public sector, the private sector, NGOs/CSOs, research institutions, universities, and networks. The diverse participation is essential for fostering comprehensive discussions and demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing agroecological practices.

In the closing session of the event, H.E. Dr. Chan Saruth, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Chair of CASIC Executive Board, recommended on implementing the ASEAN Policy Guideline on agroecology transition that:

1. We should have a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system to track the progress and measure the impact of agroecology on implementation, which is contextualized on practical approaches. The working groups on this guideline could use this tool to collaborate with the government to advance agroecology initiatives.
2. We should establish a mechanism for Coordination and Facilitation (C&F) to support the implementation of the seven leverage points outlined in the agroecology guidelines.
3. We should formalize the concept of these guidelines, empowering farmer organizations to serve as key service providers in this effort.

H.E. Dr. Chan Saruth, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Chair of CASIC Executive Board

🌱 Together to foster the agroecology transition for a sustainable future!!!