- ADB and IFAD, in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, established the #TSSD-AF project to increase agricultural productivity while helping Cambodia adapt to climate change impacts.
- The #TSSD-AF project decentralizes the decision-making process to allow the sub-national government to demonstrate strong leadership and ownership of climate-proof infrastructure subprojects.
- In addition to investment in infrastructure in Cambodia, the #TSSD-AF project has provided commune grants that support more than 1,900 Livelihood Improvement Groups (LIGs).
Cambodia is no stranger to devastating floods and extreme weather events. In 2011, flooding caused more than US$625 million in economic losses along with catastrophic damage to rural infrastructure.
Cambodia is adapting to and mitigating the worst impacts of climate change by making its rural infrastructure more climate-proof.
Key to this effort has been ADB and IFAD’s partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, in establishing the Tonle Sap Poverty Reduction and Smallholder Development Project and its Additional Financing (TSSD-AF) to foster community-driven development.
Working alongside the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development Secretariat the project has helped build the capacities of sub-national agencies on project management, and innovation.
Decentralizing the decision-making process allows the government at the sub-national level to demonstrate strong leadership and ownership of climate-proof infrastructure subprojects.
Climate-resilient rural roads, bridges, irrigation canals, and flood protection dykes help increase farmers’ trade opportunities and agricultural productivity.
In addition to investment in infrastructure, the project has provided commune grants that support more than 1,900 Livelihood Improvement Groups (LIGs).
To achieve long-lasting sustainability, the project has helped farmers to form Farmer’s Livelihood Improvement Associations (FLIA).
By improving rural infrastructure and supporting farmers, the TSSD-AF is reducing rural poverty, and increasing agricultural productivity while helping Cambodia adapt to climate change impacts.
Transcript
Jyotsana Varma, Country Director, Cambodia Resident Mission, ADB:
This project has created small rural infrastructure which is climate resilient which has helped farmers a lot. We see just behind me this small canal which has assured water supply to farmers which means that their productivity is high. The roads that you see here were made by the project, they are raised, and they are climate resilient.
HE Ny Kimsan, Project Manager, NCCDS:
This project is very important because it has contributed to the Royal Government of Cambodia's policy of decentralization and de-concentration through the transfer of funds to Commune and Sangkat Administrations. It includes an annual investment plan to address the needs of the local community.
Skun Sakin, Commune Chief, Ta An Commune, Siem Reap:
Our commune is constructing a road that is higher than the flood level, making it usable in all seasons. And this route has the potential to reduce people's poverty. For agriculture, such as carrying crops, importing and exporting it is much easier.
Nhoek Srey Aun, Commune Chief, Sampong Chey Commune, Kampong Cham:
Many people have benefited from this canal. People in the community cultivated with canal water. They could only farm once before. The rehabilitated canal has enabled them to cultivate twice or three times per season.
Frew Behabtu, Country Director – Cambodia, Asia and the Pacific Division, IFAD:
The project’s Group Revolving Funds have catalyzed the funding of Livelihood Improvement Groups’ business plans and helped women, in particular farmers, to grow cash crops that are also climate resilient.
Morn Leakhena, FLIA Board Director, Kampong Thom:
FLIA is an organization that works to improve the lives of farmers. Poor farmers are able to band together as a group to save and borrow money to support small business operations in our communities.
