The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has announced major investment plans which aim to improve farming practices in Cambodia. 

With A$6 million ($3.7 million) in funding, the ACIAR is focusing on enhancing smallholder farming through mechanisation and sustainable soil management. 

This partnership brings together Australian researchers from the University of Sydney and Murdoch University, in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to address key challenges in the sector.

“Our goal is to enhance productivity in a sustainable manner. By addressing key challenges like soil degradation and technological adaptation, we are supporting Cambodian farmers in building resilient, future-ready agricultural systems,” explained Wendy Umberger, CEO of ACIAR, as she addressed the February 3 launch event of the new initiative.

The investment is a response to the growing need for more sustainable farming practices in Cambodia, where the agriculture sector is a cornerstone of the national economy. 

The funding will address issues such as soil compaction, greenhouse gas emissions and operational difficulties that have hindered the efficient use of mechanisation technologies, she explained.

Ngin Chhay, Director of Cambodia’s General Directorate of Agriculture, spoke about the significance of gradual integration into mechanisation. 

“Understanding Cambodian farmers’ socio-cultural and economic contexts is very significant for successful technology adoption,” he said. 

Chhay added that the gradual integration of smart mechanisation technologies is expected to reduce operational risks and complement existing farming capacities.

In addition to mechanisation, the project will address pressing environmental issues, particularly soil degradation, which is exacerbated by erosion, acidification, and unsustainable farming methods. 

 Sustainable soil management is crucial not only for food security but also for mitigating the impacts of climate change. 

The Cambodian Upland Soils Project (CUSP) has been working since 2017 to enhance soil management practices through research, capacity building and policy support.

Seng Vang, director of the Department of Agricultural Land Resources Management (DALRM), noted that understanding soil properties is crucial for sustainable agriculture. 

“Future research should focus on Cambodia’s upland soil types to assess their distribution, limitations and opportunities,” he said. 

The CUSP initiative has already developed rapid soil assessment techniques, allowing for cost-effective and reliable soil analysis.

A major challenge is the limited adoption of sustainable farming practices. Many smallholder farmers lack access to soil information and hesitate to invest in soil health. 

To address this, the government is promoting knowledge-sharing initiatives, including the Soil Doctor Pilot Program (2024) and participatory on-farm trials, which encourage better fertiliser application techniques.

The recent World Reference Base (WRB) Classification of Cambodian Soils (2022) has also played a vital role in improving soil resource management. This classification identifies 13 major soil groups in Cambodia, with Acrisols covering more than 50% of the land. 

These highly acidic soils require careful management to ensure productive farming. Other key soil groups, such as Cambisols and Leptosols, present varying opportunities and constraints for agriculture.

With soil degradation posing risks to food security and economic stability, Cambodia’s National Action Plan to Combat Land Degradation (2018-2027) prioritises soil conservation strategies. 

Government efforts focus on reducing soil nutrient depletion, improving soil fertility and enhancing organic carbon stocks to sustain agricultural productivity.

Sustainable soil management is essential for mitigating climate change impacts, as degraded soils contribute to carbon emissions and water quality issues.

Dr Wendy Vance, project leader from Murdoch University, emphasised the importance of improving soil management. 

‘This is a significant step toward creating strong and sustainable farming systems in Cambodia. By improving soil management and teaching farmers these important skills, we can increase crop yields, provide more farming options and combat soil degradation,’ she said.

Speaking about the country’s agricultural priorities, Chhay emphasised that rice remains both a staple food and a primary source of income for Cambodian farmers. 

“We have a surplus of about 8 million tonnes annually, In 2024, rice production reached approximately 14 million tonnes,” he said. 

He also highlighted ACIAR’s role in supporting agricultural research in Cambodia. 

Chhay noted that the centre has a long history of supporting research activities in the Kingdom, particularly in rice production and protection.

Source - https://www.phnompenhpost.com