AKP Phnom Penh, August 18, 2026 --

Cambodia and Team Europe have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, resilient food systems, and inclusive rural development following a joint high-level mission to the northeastern provinces of Thbong Khmum, Kratie, and Stung Treng on Aug. 17-18.

According to a joint press release, the mission was led by H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia. The delegation included ambassadors and representatives from several European countries, the EU, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and senior officials of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

In Thbong Khmum, the delegation visited the Chiro Rung Roeung Agricultural Community, supported by the Agriculture Services Programme for an Inclusive Rural Economy and Agricultural Trade (ASPIRE-AT), to observe the adoption of climate-smart farming techniques and efforts to strengthen market linkages.

In Kratie, the mission focused on the Mekong dolphin conservation zone, managed by the Fisheries Administration and WWF with support from Belgium and the EU. The initiative combines biodiversity and species protection with efforts to generate sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

The delegation then travelled to Stung Treng, where it visited Handcrafted Cashew Nuts Stung Treng, the Chambak Agricultural Community, and project sites under the EU-German Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (CAPSAFE), implemented by MAFF, GIZ, and partners. The projects support post-harvest processing, quality assurance, and improved agricultural value chains.

H.E. Dith Tina said Cambodia is transforming its agricultural sector from basic farming towards commercial production through Modern Agricultural Communities (MACs) and contract farming, which help organise farmers and ensure reliable supplies for processors.

“Together with the EU and our partners, we are raising food safety standards, sustainability, and market competitiveness for key crops like cashew and pepper – opening new opportunities for farmers at home and abroad,” he said.

Throughout the mission, delegates held discussions with government officials, development partners, rural communities, and local agribusinesses on strengthening agricultural value chains and expanding market opportunities.

The discussions highlighted the importance of investment in contract farming, post-harvest processing, food safety, and private-sector engagement to enable farmers and agribusinesses to produce higher-value products and access regional and European markets, in line with the objectives of the EU Global Gateway strategy.

H.E. Igor Driesmans said Team Europe is supporting Cambodian agricultural value chains through technical expertise, food safety, and processing systems, particularly in the cashew and pepper sectors.

He noted that such support enables local agribusinesses to create higher-value products domestically and expand into premium export markets, adding that the mission provided an opportunity to see firsthand the impact of cooperation between Team Europe and MAFF on farmers and local communities.

The Royal Government of Cambodia and Team Europe reaffirmed their continued collaboration to promote sustainable agricultural development, strengthen food system resilience, protect biodiversity, and support rural development and local livelihoods.

By C. Nika