Cambodia’s organic future boosted by Germany’s GIZ

As international organic trade is continuously expanding with enormous markets like the US, UK and China, Cambodia could play a key role. The Asian country, which is known for its organic rice, could benefit from this rising demand. Nevertheless, the country could face problems exporting its produce since it lacks a proper organic certifying system. Leng Sotheara, founder of the Khmer Organic Cooperative (KAC) also recognizes this issue, telling AEC News Today : “Certification is important to build the confidence of consumers as it proves that fruits and vegetables are really organic.” Cambodia will not be able to export its rice without proper certification.

The kingdom is constantly facing problems with the misuse of chemicals and fertilizers. Often the chemicals come from neighbouring countries, like Vietnam or China, without a proper instruction manual in English or the Khmer language. A draft law on food safety has been established but is still waiting to be approved by parliament.

Nevertheless, international demand remains high. In addition, the inland organic demand is increasing even though the sale price is 30 percent higher than their non-organic counterpart. GIZ Asean-SAS, (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), a German company that specializes in international development, has also recognized Cambodia’s huge potential. It announced that it will help organic producers by providing technical support and also by backing the organic certification of their two pilot farms (in total 23 hectares of organic grown produce). This is not the first programme for GIZ with organic farmers in Cambodia. Previously the German organization partnered with the Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (Cedac) to design a certification programme. It was a success and has been expanded from three to six provinces, with more than 1,200 farmers trained in organic production techniques.

The help given by Germany’s GIZ to the Cambodian organic produce sector could be just at the right time and establish GIZ as an internationally known household “brand”, while also providing a much needed boost to the earning capacity of Cambodia’s rural sector.