Asian Mega-Deltas Initiative showcases research results in Cambodia through national dialogue workshop

The recent national dialogue workshop on “Food System Governance, Food Security and Nutrition” organized by WorldFish and the International Institute of Water Management, in collaboration with the Cambodia Development Resources Institute (CDRI) and Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), provided a platform for sharing research findings and engaging with government agencies and stakeholders regarding the CGIAR Initiative on Asian Mega-Delta (AMD) contributions to food system governance and food security in Cambodia, focusing on the Mekong Delta region.

The workshop provided a comprehensive overview of the AMD Initiative’s impact on Cambodia’s food security strategies, aligning with the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and CARD’s efforts. By bringing together various stakeholders involved in the research at the national and sub-national levels, including government agencies, community committees, research and development partners, and other relevant stakeholders, the dialogue aimed to address governance issues related to land, water, and natural resources for food production and consumption in the targeted Mekong Delta provinces of Prey Veng, Takeo, and Kampong Thom.

As emerging policy outcomes, the AMD Initiative in Cambodia has contributed to the 2nd National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition 2019-2023 (2nd NSFSN 2019-2023) of RGC and Cambodia’s Roadmap for Food System for Sustainable Development 2030. These national policies aim to enhance food security, nutrition, and health through sector-led responsibilities such as agriculture and water, while also prioritizing multi-sectoral coordination, governance, and partnerships, with the vision of ensuring all Cambodians have access to a healthy diet and safe food by 2030, promoting equitable livelihoods, resilience to vulnerability, and climate change adaptation.

Under the AMD Initiative, the Work Package 4 (WP4) specifically focuses on food system governance, cutting across all work packages, and strategic areas in the Mekong Delta region. By identifying gaps in the design and management of irrigation systems and the impact on fisheries, the AMD-WP4 aims to comprehensively understand the current food system governance and propose interventions for improvement. The initiative also seeks to engage with the RGC and contribute to the government’s strategies for food security and nutrition, as outlined in the 2nd NSFSN 2019-2023.

The national dialogue workshop facilitated group discussions to gather feedback on improving water governance, decentralization, and priority activities for the AMD in 2024, aligning with the vision of the RGC for a sustainable food system by 2030. This interactive platform provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share their work results, reflect on implications for food production systems, and identify priority actions for the AMD Initiative to support government and community stakeholders in securing more integrated, resilient, and equitable food production systems.

The workshop activities and discussions underscored the significance of collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing in addressing food security and nutrition challenges at the community level. The engagement of diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, local authorities, and community committees, reflects a concerted effort towards achieving Cambodia’s vision for a healthy, safe, and resilient food system while mitigating and adapting to climate change through sustainable and equitable livelihoods.