Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II FY19 Work Plan

Accelerating the growth of the horticulture sector will help the country continue to reduce poverty and create new opportunities for those in rural areas. Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II ("Harvest II") is USAID/Cambodia's primary mechanism for facilitating market systems development, aiming to strengthen sustainable pathways out of poverty. The project seeks to promote the growth of the horticulture sector by improving capacities for market participation, market linkages, and governance and enabling environment. Improving capacities for market participation is a key objective of Harvest II. The project works with buyers, suppliers, and other market actors to apply improved technologies and management practices, increase their financial and business capacity, and stimulate the use of market and agronomic information. This includes providing training and technical assistance to farmers and suppliers to enhance their skills and knowledge. Improving market linkages is another critical component of Harvest II. The project uses a buyer-led approach to develop commercial partnerships between buyers and suppliers. This involves identifying buyers who are interested in expanding their supply of horticultural products and connecting them with suppliers. Harvest II also works to encourage investment that will contribute to the expansion of the sector. Improving governance and enabling environment is a third key objective of Harvest II. The project helps to develop policies and regulations that support the growth of the horticulture sector. It also strengthens the government's capacity to analyze and develop policies and regulations affecting the sector. Additionally, Harvest II supports public-private dialogue to promote policies and regulations that benefit the horticulture sector. The project focuses on building market linkages using a buyer-led approach that prioritizes developing commercial partnerships between buyers and suppliers. This approach begins with an understanding of specific buyers' needs in terms of quality, quantity, price, and timing. Harvest II helps each buyer engage with suppliers to ensure a reliable and consistent supply of products. The project also works to encourage investment that will contribute to the expansion of the sector. Harvest II works with various stakeholders, including the Royal Government of Cambodia, the private sector, and civil society organizations. The project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Department of Horticulture, and other relevant government agencies. Harvest II also engages with the private sector, including commercial partners, to promote the growth of the horticulture sector. The project has several key interventions, including the improvement of financial and business skills among farmers and suppliers, the increase of access to and use of market and climatic information, and the development of financial opportunities. Harvest II also works to improve market linkages between value chain actors, develop market incentives for private sector engagement and investment, and improve market coordination. The project has several cross-cutting initiatives, including environment and gender. Harvest II works to promote sustainable agriculture practices and reduce the environmental impact of the horticulture sector. The project also focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women in the horticulture sector. Harvest II has a strong focus on monitoring, evaluation, and learning. The project uses a range of methods and tools to monitor and evaluate its progress, including quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis, and analysis of lessons learned. The project also engages in adaptive management, adapting its approach as needed to ensure that it is effective and efficient. The project has a strong management structure, with a project director and a team of technical specialists. Harvest II also has a range of partners, including the Royal Government of Cambodia, the private sector, and civil society organizations. The project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Department of Horticulture, and other relevant government agencies. Overall, Harvest II is a critical component of USAID/Cambodia's efforts to promote economic growth and reduce poverty in Cambodia. The project has a strong focus on improving capacities for market participation, market linkages, and governance and enabling environment. Harvest II works with a range of stakeholders, including the Royal Government of Cambodia, the private sector, and civil society organizations, to promote the growth of the horticulture sector.