U.S. Ambassador: U.S. Still Supports Agricultural Development in Cambodia

AKP Phnom Penh, June 22, 2012 –

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William E. Todd said that the U.S. government still continued support for agricultural development in Cambodia, a key sector for poverty alleviation.

The U.S. ambassador said this, while making his first trip on June 20 to visit an agricultural development project in Trapaing Chorng commune, Bakan district, Pursat province.

During the visit, the U.S. ambassador met local farmers engaged in farming to understand the agricultural production and their livelihoods.

The U.S. government provided some US$56 million through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for agricultural development in the provinces of Pursat, Battambang, Siem Reap and Kampong Thom, the U.S. ambassador said.

The 2011-2015 bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Cambodia, funding through USAID, provided the support for Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem STability (HARVEST) Project, he said.

The project will support the Royal Government of Cambodia’s national development strategy by enhancing agricultural production, developing post-harvest management capacity, increasing access to food, and preparing the country to adapt to climate change.

HARVEST will strengthen the ability of civil society, the private sector, and the government to address food security and climate change challenges in Cambodia.

The project’s implementing partner is Fintrac, Inc.

By THOU Peou