On Thursday 15 September, GIZ Cambodia, a branch of Germany’s international development agency, signed an agreement with local organic food retailer Khmer Organic Cooperative. The agreement is set to provide technical support to develop organic vegetable production and to assist the firm in obtaining certification for its products.
The agreement calls for the establishment of two demonstration farms for organic fruits and vegetables that will later be used as a national organic training centre. It also aims to strengthen regional market linkages, establish local organic supply networks and raise consumer awareness.
Market experts say the partnership will benefit Cambodia’s market as demand for organic food products is increasing, but growth has been subdued by the absence of an institution to guarantee that products bearing the organic designation are standardised.
Without this certification, many consumers are unwilling to pay a premium price for products that they are not certain are really all that they claim to be.
Claudius Bredehoft, national project coordinator for GIZ Cambodia, said the agency is prepared to share its expertise on organic agriculture and provide training on proper methods to produce organic crops. He said having an institution guarantee that products meet recognised organic standards is essential to their marketing success.
“Right now, organic certification in Cambodia would be like traffic without police,” he said, adding that only a small portion of the crops in the Kingdom is certified as organic. “Organic production in Cambodia has huge potential, so with assistance to get certification, farmers can add more value to their products.”
