Cambodia is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and disasters, where about 70% of households rely on income from agriculture and the majority of agricultural production depends on monsoon rains and natural floods/recessions. The annual yield loss of 37% in crop production in the north-eastern region (Ratanakiri Province), especially in the proposed target area, is significantly low.

The GROWTH Phase II concept demonstrates the coherent approach to achieve the ultimate goal of enhancing the capacity of CSOs in Southeast Asia to reduce poverty and inequalities and build resilient communities. The GROWTH Phase II partners in Cambodia and Myanmar have been working with Johanniter for several years and are implementing BMZ-funded projects.

In Cambodia, LLC will build market access for smallholder farmers through several key activities. Two of the major activities include:

1. Piloting and coaching of 4 local farmers: LLC will support 4 women farmers to pilot vegetable enterprises in Ban Lung, Lumphat and Kon Mom. LLC will identify 4 women to participate in the piloting. LLC will support the establishment of linkages between farmers, businesses and local markets to facilitate the start of the business. Each farmer will receive a financial package of approximately $1,000 euros. The financial support covers start-up capital as well as transport and other required materials to markets or distribution centres. Specific coaching and mentoring sessions for selected women farmers will be provided.
2. Establishment of a market access platform: LLC will organize workshops in Banlung to build relationships and aiming to establishing an agribusiness cluster (ABC). The ABC will provide a platform for all relevant actors in the target value chains to build committed, inclusive and sustainable business relationships, ensuring functional linkages at grassroots level and equitable gains for all business actors involved.