Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), yesterday said that Cambodia is open to all investors who are interested in investing in the agricultural sector.
Receiving a courtesy call from Professor Wendy Umberger, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), at the ministry, Tina said, “Cambodia is open to all investors interested in the agricultural sector, including the production of agricultural inputs, animal feed, and energy investments that can help reduce the cost of living for farmers, especially focus on investment in research across all sub-sectors such as animal production, aquaculture, and the development of necessary infrastructure.”
The minister lauded the working group of ACIAR for examining the possibility of contributing to the Cambodian agricultural sector.
Further, he encouraged the ACIAR team to conduct further studies on energy use, renewable energy, carbon credits, and biochar, with the goal of obtaining clear and actionable data.
He asked the ACIAR working group to continue fostering stronger cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, with the goal of providing benefits and economic gains to farmers in an efficient and effective manner.
Highlighting the modern farming community to the ACIAR working group, which is a priority policy of the Royal Government, the minister said it helped reduce production costs, align production with market demand, and enhance economic efficiency.
Tina suggested the ACIAR can also explore the possibility of participating in low-interest loans for farmers, investing in infrastructure, and connecting projects to support this modern farming community.
According to a press release from the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, Professor Wendy Umberger met with Minister of Agriculture Dith Tina to discuss agricultural potential, challenges, and research priorities.
The embassy added that their discussions focused on boosting productivity, enhancing the competitiveness of smallholder farmers, and promoting climate-resilient, inclusive growth.
Australia and Cambodia share a long-standing commitment to advancing agriculture and food security, a partnership spanning over seven decades.
“Since the 1990s, the ACIAR has funded more than 100 research projects in Cambodia, contributing to improved agricultural performance, strengthened natural resource management, and enhanced livelihoods and resilience for smallholder farmers,” read the release.
It added that ACIAR-funded research connects Cambodian researchers with Australian experts to address agricultural challenges, building local research capacity for long-term impact.