Rainwater Harvesting and Drip Irrigation for High-Value Crop Production in Cambodia Spice Value Chain Development Project

Cambodia is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change impacts. As part of its response to climate change, the Royal Government of Cambodia, in collaboration with its development partners, is implementing the Strategic Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR) with financial support from the Climate Investment Funds. The SPCR emphasizes two streams to promote climate resilience. The first stream is to build knowledge about climate change impacts on Cambodia and how to mainstream climate resilience into agriculture, water resources and transport and urban infrastructure. The second stream is to invest in applying new skills, techniques, technology, and engineering practices for climate resilience.

Increased production of value-added spice products, with raw materials sustainably sourced from smallholder farmers

• Investment in the model farm in Battambang, Cambodia, to expand organic black pepper cultivation or for other purposes
• Demonstration of rainwater harvesting ponds and drip irrigation networks for Akay’s model farm in Battambang
• Provision of a credit facility to enable local farmers to invest in climate-resilient farming input such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation hardware, or in additional agricultural input such as high-quality seeds, plants, fertilizers, and pesticides
• Investment in infrastructure and provision of technical assistance for the establishment of an out-grower scheme
• Development of an oleoresin extraction plant in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, to process spices for export

Battambang

1,000 out-grower farmers using water harvesting ponds on farms (500) 
1,000 out-grower farmers using drip irrigation on farms (500) 

• Introduction of rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation technologies 
• Promotion of climate-resilient agricultural inputs such as high quality seeds (organic spices), plants, fertilizers and pesticides