Purpose

Commercialization of Aquaculture for Sustainable Trade (CAST) is seeking proposals for a facilitator to help develop a new long-term strategic plan for The Cambodian Aquaculturist Association (CAA). The contract for this consultancy will be with the American Soybean Association CAST Project.

About the Organization: Commercialization of Aquaculture for Sustainable Trade (CAST) Cambodia will increase domestic aquaculture productivity and capacity to build domestic demand for Cambodia-grown, quality-assured fish that achieve price premiums in the marketplace. This project will catalyze Cambodian aquaculture on a path toward larger market share in existing and future domestic and regional premium markets and will increase net incomes for sector stakeholders throughout the value chain. CAST’s theory of change is premised on the idea that aquaculture SMEs are best placed to drive commercial growth in the aquaculture sector – both to produce a consistent supply of quality fish and to drive market demand for quality-assured inputs and support services. CAST’s ten activities will address five overarching challenges: (1) low productivity of commercial aquaculture operations; (2) lack of high-quality inputs (such as feed and seed) in the marketplace; (3) weak market linkages for quality Cambodian-sourced fish; (4) underdeveloped small and medium enterprises in aquaculture and supporting industries; and (5) weak supporting policy environment. The activity design reflects a facilitative approach and four key levers of change: (1) improved market linkages for accessible affordable inputs and better access to premium markets, (2) knowledge platforms to improve access to information and support decisions throughout the value chain, (3) collective action to improve transactional efficiencies and market access, and, (4) improved enabling environments via a strong private sector-driven approach that leverages public-private partnerships.