The recent collaborative seminar organized by DGRV and the Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, AERD/RUA, marked a crucial step towards advancing Cambodia’s agricultural cooperative business sector. On August 16th, 2023, the seminar brought together cooperative representatives from various provinces and members of the Cambodian Agricultural Cooperative Alliance (CACA), fostering insightful discussions and first-hand experience sharing among 170 faculty members, officers, and students.
Cambodia’s burgeoning agricultural cooperative movement faces challenges despite the rise in cooperative interest since the enactment of the Law on Agricultural Cooperatives in 2013. While 1251 agricultural cooperatives are registered nationwide, many lack robust management, curbing the range of services offered to members. Strengthening cooperative performance hinges on proficient management and leadership.
In collaboration with partners like Buddhism for Development (BFD) and Cooperative Association of Cambodia (CAC), DGRV conducts regular training for board members and representatives of supervisor committees, equipping them with business management knowledge, bookkeeping skills, and a good understanding of cooperative regulations and legislation.
Agricultural cooperatives in Cambodia rarely appoint executive managers. However, DGRV’s pilot cooperatives, engaged in contract farming and export-related ventures, are encouraged to appoint managers for effective contractual fulfillment. These pilot models also serve as reference models for sharing experiences and insights.
Rising to the cooperative sector’s needs, the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) has suggested a closer partnership with the DGRV project. The university proposes integrating cooperative business education into the national curriculum, fostering skilled human resources vital for modernizing and invigorating agricultural cooperatives.
By facilitating such collaborative efforts, DGRV and its partners are steering Cambodia’s agricultural cooperatives towards prosperity. Robust leadership, professional management, and educational synergy are setting the stage for a thriving cooperative landscape that significantly contributes to Cambodia’s sustainable development.
A Project Story of the Month by Hardy Schneider, Project Director Cambodia
Empowering Mozambican youth through cooperative entrepreneurship to tackle unemployment and promote economic growth.
More
In June, eight Chilean organizations participated in an Exposure Visit to learn from the experience of Energy Cooperatives in Germany
More
Empowering Cambodia's agricultural cooperatives through dynamic seminars: DGRV and AERD/RUA collaborate to drive leadership, professionalism, and sustainable growth.
More
Helping the cooperative CCampo Alimentos to implement an Agrivoltaic pilot project in Brazil
More
Adaptation measures to climate change in rural areas in India
More
Renewable Energy in Costa Rica generated by cooperatives.
More
Food Processing with a Regional Federation
More
Digitisation of Primary Co-operatives in eSwatini
More
A central solution that enables members to make daily agricultural necessities available promptly and financially affordable
More
The creation of Community Distributed Generation Cooperatives in Chile.
More
Textile cooperative in Tunisia
More
Facilitating access to quality agricultural finance products in Cameroon
More
Generating business and commercial connections with the "Networks in Action" project
More
Mid- term courses for cooperative officials in Vietnam
More
The collaboration between the Brazilian and German cooperative sector
More
DGRV Kenya supports project partners on their way to adapt to “The new normal” in times of COVID-19
More
Pablo and his Potatoes
More
Strengthening small rural producer organizations in Colombia
More
Cooperative Social Responsibility in Honduras
More
Developing the potential of biomass briquettes in Uganda
More
GESTE- funded projects in Uganda
More
Development of the first cooperative federation in Laos
More
The story of Khumo Bohlale Family Bakery
More