CASIC Successfully Organized CASIC Connect Day 2025

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — The Cambodia Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Intensification Consortium (CASIC) successfully convened the CASIC Connect Day and the National Consultation Workshop on ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions in Cambodia at the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA), bringing together senior government leaders, development partners, academia, private sector actors, and students to strengthen collaboration and advance agroecological transformation in the country.

The event was chaired by H.E. Om Kimsir, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Chair of the CASIC Steering Committee, and attended by high-level representatives including:

• H.E. Hean Vannhorn, Secretary of State, MAFF
• H.E. Sen Sovann, Secretary of State, MAFF
• H.E. Chan Chesda, Secretary of State, MAFF
• H.E. Sok Silo, Secretary General of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development and CASIC Steering Committee Member
• H.E. Dr. San Vathana, Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and CASIC Steering Committee Member
• H.E. Yoeu Asikin, Undersecretary of State, MAFF and Vice Chair of CASIC Steering Committee
• H.E. Dr. Chan Saruth, Undersecretary of State, MAFF and Chair of CASIC Executive Board

They were joined by members of the CASIC Steering Committee and Executive Board, high-ranking officials from ten target provinces, representatives of embassies, national and international development partners, private sector stakeholders, and university students. In total, 126 participants attended, including 43 women, reflecting growing engagement and inclusiveness in Cambodia’s agricultural development dialogue.

Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainable Agriculture

The dual events served as a platform to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and promote shared learning on conservation agriculture, sustainable intensification, and agroecology. CASIC Connect Day facilitated networking and partnership-building, while the national consultation focused on discussing Cambodia’s alignment with the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transitions, aiming to inform national strategies and policies.

Participants exchanged experiences, showcased innovations, and explored pathways to scale up agroecological practices that enhance productivity, resilience, soil health, and environmental sustainability. The discussions emphasized the importance of integrating science, policy, and local practices to support smallholder farmers and contribute to climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Broad Partnership Support

The event was organized with support from the Royal University of Agriculture and numerous national and international partners, including Swisscontact, CIRAD, Agroecology in Southeast Asia (ASEA), HEKS-EPER’s Nurture Project, the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), Agroecology Learning Alliance in Cambodia (ALiSEA), the Cambodian Institute for Research and Rural Development (CIRD), East-West Seed, and the WAT4CAM Phase 1 Program, among others.

Together, these partners aim to enhance awareness and foster coordinated action to accelerate the adoption of agroecological approaches that contribute to sustainable agricultural transformation and improved livelihoods across Cambodia.

Moving Forward

By convening policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and youth, the events reaffirmed CASIC’s commitment to serving as a national platform for knowledge exchange and policy dialogue. The outcomes will contribute to strengthening Cambodia’s transition toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural systems aligned with regional ASEAN frameworks and national development priorities.

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