Feed the future Cambodia : harvest II activity : final evaluation report

The approach taken by Harvest II represented a shift in emphasis from previous USAID-funded activities that offered support to agricultural production, moving intentionally towards a demand-driven, market systems development approach. The evaluation team was asked to assess the extent and nature of system change that resulted from the activity, and how farms and firms benefited. The team also assessed whether and how the project contributed to resilience, climate change mitigation, and environmental stewardship. Harvest II supported the development of three tree crop subsectors (cashew, mango, and longan) as well as vegetable crops. Findings differed across the two main types of crops, due partly to large variations in the market context. Tree crops faced a set of difficult circumstances including closed borders due to COVID-19, climate events, and structural constraints to moving up the value chain into processing activities and direct exports. Meanwhile, closed borders helped boost local demand for vegetables, which are consumed locally. The evaluation found that Harvest II did promote system change, though unevenly across the subsectors and with more focus on growth than inclusion. A foundation was built for private sector driven market development to be supported by the government, however policies and strategies developed have not yet been carried through to the practical implementation stage, which is needed for firms and farms to benefit. Within the private sector, in terms of market linkages and competitiveness, important relationships were established and positive examples supported, with improved practices, increased yields, expanded sales, and new product development among results reported. The degree to which these had an impact on actors beyond direct beneficiaries and whether they will be sustained remains to be seen.