Cambodian agriculture is central to the country’s economy, rural livelihoods, and food security. About 77% of rural households rely on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, and the sector contributes 21.9% of GDP, making it a key pillar of the government’s development strategy.

However, Cambodian farmers face some major challenges. One of those is climate change, threatening crop yields, livestock, and fisheries. Nearly 90% of the population lives in high environmental risk areas, and 99% experienced at least one disaster in the past year, with 75% facing three or more. Another challenge is the increasing prices of chemical inputs due to inflation and the improper usage of such inputs, which can result in environmental pollution, pesticides residues on food and damage to farmers’health.

Pollinators play a fundamental role in agricultural production, food security, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods. It is estimated that more than 75% of the world's leading food crops benefit, at least partially, from animal pollination. Beyond their contribution to crop yields and quality, pollinators support the reproduction of wild flowering plants, help maintain ecosystem functions, and contribute to the resilience of agricultural and natural ecosystems.

In Cambodia, pollinators contribute to the production of a wide range of food crops and support both biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. A preliminary assessment conducted under the APICI Project among agroecological farmer groups supported by GRET in Sotr Nikum District, Siem Reap Province, found that bees are involved in the pollination of at least 33 fruits and vegetables cultivated by local farmers and that their contribution is considered crucial for 10 of these crops (Guerin, 2019)