Quarterly Report #2: Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem Stability (HARVEST) Program

The program aims to improve food security through increased food availability, increase food access through rural income diversification, strengthen natural resource management and resilience to climate change, and increase the capacity of public, private, and civil society to support agricultural competitiveness. The program's geographic focus is on the provinces of Pursat and Battambang, with expected expansion to Siem Reap and Kampong Thom in Year 2. Initial agriculture, fisheries/aquaculture, and natural resource management activities are targeting the districts of Bovil, Thmor Korl, and Moung Reusi in Battambang province, and the districts of Bakan and Krar Kor in Pursat province. Phase I activities were concluded in the second quarter, and Phase II activities were initiated. Key highlights from the quarter include the completion of Phase I validation, design, and assessment exercises for primary target sectors and cross-cutting issues. A Synthesis Report was compiled, summarizing Phase I findings, prioritizing action interventions and activities, and refining implementation methodologies. The program has made significant progress in implementing its activities, including the launch of procurement and capacity-building processes with local NGO implementing partners. Training has begun in proposal development, management systems, and extension services. The program has also strengthened ties with key national-level ministries and established working protocols with provincial government counterparts. Productive enterprise technical assistance and training activities have been initiated in 32 target communities, comprising 7,893 households. Farm extension interventions have been completed by project agronomists, and technical assistance and training in fisheries have been initiated. Technical and business skills training for input suppliers has also been initiated. The program has established 49 new market linkages and is providing technical support to the Royal Government of Cambodia on various policies, including the Sub-decree on Contract Farming and the existing law on Food Safety of Agricultural Products. Finance activities have been launched, including the organization of five MFI partners to provide low-interest loans to farmers in ten pilot villages. Activities for the next quarter are focused on expanding demonstration sites for agriculture crops, home gardens, and aquaculture; extension services; and hands-on training programs. NGO alliance partners will be contracted to optimize outreach in target communities, and capacity building support will be provided to them. A subcontract with Fauna & Flora International will be finalized to initiate Phase II NRM activities in sustainable community forestry, community protected areas, and other priority areas. The program's goals and objectives include increasing incomes for 70,000 rural households, accruing economic benefits for 330,000 individuals, developing income-generating activities for 7,000 "extreme poor" households, diversifying cropping systems for 32,000 households, and generating $45 million in incremental new agricultural sales.