Research that works for developing countries and AustraliaImproving the marketing system for maize and soybeans in CambodiaProject ID: ASEM/2003/012: Improving the marketing system for maize and soybeans in CambodiaCollaborating Countries: CambodiaCommissioned Organisation: University of Canberra, AustraliaProject Leader Dr Robert Fitzgerald Phone: 02 6201 2658 Fax: 02 6201 5360 Email: robert.fitzgerald@canberra.edu.au Collaborating Institutions:
Project Budget: $499,901Project Duration: 01/07/2004 - 31/12/2006Project Extension: 01/01/2007 - 30/04/2008ACIAR Research Program Manager Dr Caroline Lemerle Project Background and Objectives Agriculture in Cambodia has been dominated by rice, much of it grown by smallholder subsistence farmers. The Royal Government of Cambodia has set poverty reduction and improved rural development as top priorities. To achieve this Government is focusing on the development of commercial, export-oriented agriculture. Diversification in cropping from rice is one component of this work. Among non-rice crops maize and soybean are particularly important. Both have, after rubber, the highest export potential, but marketing arrangements for the two crops are largely informal and poorly developed. Constraints include postharvest inefficiency, inadequate information flows, high transport costs and lack of external market linkages, with Thailand and Vietnam representing the main external markets. For export potential to be realised these constraints need to be overcome. ACIAR is supporting complimentary research both to improve maize and soy production and help in crop diversification. Strengthening and developing marketing systems is needed to ensure the increased productivity delivers the benefits of exporting to nearby markets. Mapping of the marketing system, including supply chains and the institutional environment will substantially aid in identifying areas for development and focus by key stakeholders as they address constraints to the system's development. The project aims to improve the well-being of participants of the maize and soybean marketing systems, with particular attention being given to the well-being of rural families and rural development by: mapping the existing (formal and informal) marketing systems for maize and soybeans and its institutional environment (governmental and infrastructural), to identify the constraints and capacities for change and to evaluate the potential for improvement; Mapping marketing system beginning with the design of instruments for mapping. Start of mapping in Cambodia including travel to Thailand and Vietnam. Analysis of the data from mapping the maize marketing system. Project Outcomes Outcomes for this project are currently being prepared |
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