Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II FY20 Annual Report

The program operates within the Feed the Future Zone of Influence (ZOI) and has the flexibility to consider opportunities in provinces outside the ZOI on a case-by-case basis. The program employs a strategy that combines a buyer-led approach with market systems development (MSD). This approach takes horticulture buyers as the main entry point to the market system, encompassing a wide range of relationships with farmers, other firms, and partners. Harvest II facilitates and strengthens partnerships between buyers and suppliers while engaging other market actors to identify and address broader systemic market constraints in the horticulture sector. The program has three interconnected sub-purposes: improving capacities for market participation, improving market linkages, and improving governance and the enabling environment. To achieve these sub-purposes, Harvest II works with buyers, producers, and other actors to increase financial and business capacity, stimulate the use of market information to inform business decisions, and expand financial opportunities. In FY20, Harvest II made significant progress in achieving its sub-purposes. The program worked with buyers and producers to build trust and form mutually profitable commercial partnerships (CPs). Harvest II also engaged other market actors, including financial institutions, input supply companies, and other private sector firms, to strengthen coordination across value chains and increase investment in the sector. One of the key achievements of Harvest II in FY20 was the strengthening of partnerships between buyers and suppliers. The program facilitated the establishment of 15 commercial partnerships (CPs) between buyers and producers, resulting in increased sales and revenue for producers. Additionally, Harvest II worked with financial institutions to provide access to finance for producers, enabling them to invest in their businesses and improve their productivity. Harvest II also made significant progress in improving governance and the enabling environment. The program partnered with government entities, the private sector, and civil society organizations to strengthen opportunities for advocacy and public-private dialogue. This resulted in the development of policies and regulations that support the growth of the horticulture sector, such as the establishment of a national good agricultural practices (GAP) standard. In terms of gender and youth, Harvest II made efforts to engage women and youth in the horticulture sector. The program worked with women's groups to provide training and support in business management and marketing, enabling them to access new markets and increase their income. Additionally, Harvest II partnered with youth organizations to provide training and mentorship in entrepreneurship and business management, enabling young people to start their own businesses and create employment opportunities. Overall, Harvest II made significant progress in FY20 in achieving its sub-purposes and contributing to the growth of the horticulture sector in Cambodia. The program's focus on improving capacities for market participation, improving market linkages, and improving governance and the enabling environment has resulted in increased sales and revenue for producers, improved access to finance, and strengthened partnerships between buyers and suppliers.