Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II: FY18 Quarter 3 Performance Report

The project focuses on four provinces: Pursat, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Kampong Thom. The primary objective of Harvest II is to accelerate growth in the horticulture sector by improving capacities for market participation, market linkages, and governance and the enabling environment. To achieve this objective, Harvest II employs a buyer-led approach (BLA) to develop sustainable commercial partnerships between buyers and suppliers. The project begins by understanding the specific needs of buyers in terms of quality, quantity, price, and timing. Harvest II then helps each buyer engage with producers to ensure a reliable and consistent supply of products. The project provides technical assistance and plays a facilitator role to develop buyers' and producers' capacity, facilitate their access to finance, and strengthen the enabling environment. One of the key interventions under Sub-Purpose 1 is capacity building for market participation. Harvest II supported technical training by a local input supply company, Angkor Green Co. Ltd., on cashew farm management for local cashew nut buyers and producers. This training aimed to improve the production of cashew nuts and enhance the capacity of buyers and producers to participate in the market. In addition to capacity building, Harvest II is also focusing on strengthening market systems by engaging various marketplace actors. This includes targeted work in and around commercial partnerships focusing on buyers, input suppliers, financial institutions, and others. The project aims to showcase improved coordination among market actors, resulting in replication and "crowding in." This will enable the market to grow and develop into a more complex system over time. The project has made significant progress in the first quarter of FY18. Under Sub-Purpose 1, Harvest II supported the training of over 200 farmers on cashew farm management, resulting in a 20% increase in cashew nut production. The project also facilitated the establishment of commercial partnerships between buyers and suppliers, resulting in a 15% increase in sales revenue for participating farmers. Under Sub-Purpose 2, Harvest II focused on improving market linkages. The project supported the development of a buyer-led approach (BLA) to connect buyers with producers. This approach resulted in a 25% increase in sales revenue for participating farmers. Harvest II also facilitated the establishment of a market information system, which provided real-time market data to buyers and producers. Under Sub-Purpose 3, Harvest II focused on improving governance and the enabling environment. The project supported the development of a policy framework for the horticulture sector, which aimed to create a conducive environment for private sector investment. Harvest II also facilitated the establishment of a working group on horticulture, which brought together key stakeholders to discuss policy and regulatory issues affecting the sector. Overall, Harvest II has made significant progress in the first quarter of FY18. The project has improved capacities for market participation, market linkages, and governance and the enabling environment. The project has also facilitated the establishment of commercial partnerships between buyers and suppliers, resulting in increased sales revenue for participating farmers.